Olivia Rodrigo and her purple, glittery gel pen are back with a brand-new song off her sophomore record, Guts, and let’s just say the Sour songwriter stays relatable AF. On Friday, August 11, Liv dropped the next single off her new album, “Bad Idea Right?” and I’m already obsessed with the skittish, fun nature of the track. It sonically calls back to the playful alternative tone that took over the late’90s and early 2000s radio waves, and its Petra Collins-directed music video paints the scene of a coming-of-age house party clad with cameos from Olivia’s close friends Madison Hu, Iris Apatow, and Tate McRae.
Upon its release, Olivia took to Instagram to debut the app’s carousel music feature and celebrate her new track. “bad idea right? is out everywhere!!!! I had such a fun time making this song with @dan_nigro in nyc last year,” she wrote in her caption. “we wrote the chorus as a joke but we loved it so much we made it into a full fledged song lol! I had a ball making the music video with my friends @petrafcollins @madisonhu @tatemcrae @irisapatow and I’m so happy it’s out in the world. u can listen and watch now!!!!! ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a “Favorite Crime” stan first and a human second, but this departure from her sad girl tendencies is ushering in a new era of Olivia Rodrigo. On “Bad Idea Right?” she masterfully captures the “fuck it and find out” energy that comes when someone is tempted to rekindle an old flame that can potentially fizzle out again. Seriously—if you’ve ever run back to an ex after seemingly convincing yourself you’re in a good spot as “friends,” these lyrics are like looking into a mirror with red lipstick smudged across its edges.
With the song on heavy rotation, it’s only natural to wonder what inspired Olivia to write it and what it may actually mean. Ahead, find a full breakdown of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Bad Idea Right?” lyrics meaning.
Lyrics provided by Genius
[Intro]
Hey
[Verse 1]
Haven’t heard from you in a couple of months
But I’m out right now and I’m all fucked up
And you’re callin’ my phone and you’re all alone
And I’m sensing some undertone
And I’m right here with all my friends
But you’re sending me your new address
And I know we’re done, I know we’re through
But, God, when I look at you
The first verse dives into the internal tug-of-war of emotions that come when an ex reaches out to you after splitting up. It’s already a tough call to get, but when you throw the influence of alcohol in, your conscience may blur the lines between a good idea and a (in this case, very tempting) bad one.
In the music video, Olivia’s phone is ringing with a contact labeled as “LOSER NOT WORTH MENTIONING.” I’ve never felt more seen— especially because she ends up embarking on a tumultuous journey to see them, anyway.
[Refrain]
My brain goes, “Ah”
Can’t hear my thoughts (I cannot hear my thoughts)
Like blah-blah-blah (Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah)
Should probably not
I should probably, probably not
I should probably, probably not
The refrain embodies that gut feeling, or that voice in your head that tells you to avoid the mess at all costs. Do you listen to it, or does it take the form of adults in the Peanuts cinematic universe?
[Pre-Chorus]
Seeing you tonight
It’s a bad idea, right?
Seeing you tonight
It’s a bad idea, right?
Seeing you tonight
It’s a bad idea, right?
Seeing you tonight
Fuck it, it’s fine
Ah, yes. The moment when you say “fuck it” before instantly regretting the spontaneous decision of seeing your ex again.
[Chorus]
Yes, I know that he’s my ex
But can’t two people reconnect?
I only see him as a friend
The biggest lie I ever said
Oh, yes, I know that he’s my ex
But can’t two people reconnect?
I only see him as a friend
I just tripped and fell into his bed
In her Instagram post celebrating the song’s release, Olivia revealed that she and producer Dan Nigro wrote the chorus as a joke that became a “full fledged song.” The intention behind it can also reflect how people feel in the moment when they think of going back to an ex—aka big “Girl, I was just thinking about it. I’m not gonna do it…” energy.
Also, let’s discuss the kicker, “I just tripped and fell into his bed”—it’s nothing but an excuse to convince friends (and ultimately, yourself) that you didn’t just make an impulsive mistake.
[Verse 2]
Now I’m gettin’ in the car, wreckin’ all my plans
I know I should stop, but I can’t
And I told my friends I was asleep
But I never said where or in whose sheets
And I pull up to your place on the second floor
And you’re standing, smiling at the door
And I’m sure I’ve seen much hotter men
But I really can’t remember when
In the second verse, Liv avoids telling her friends who she’s seeing because she knows they’ll probably drag her and rip her a new one. Toward the end, more of a conscience presents itself when she realizes that there are hotter people out there, but she’s inching toward the comfort that comes with familiarity although it may backfire.
[Refrain]
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Oh, yes, I know that he’s my ex
Can’t two people reconnect?
The biggest lie I ever said
I just tripped and fell into his bed
My brain goes, “Ah”
Can’t hear my thoughts
The biggest lie I ever said
My brain goes, “Ah”
Can’t hear my thoughts
I just tripped and fell into his bed
The bridge pretty much repeats the sentiments of the chorus, where all your thoughts are blocked out by the desire to go back to your ex. In short: old habits die hard.
[Outro]
Thoughts
Blah
Thoughts
Blah
Assistant News Editor
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn’t draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.