stayc main image

Cardi B Drops Jay-Z-Sampling Single ‘Imaginary Playerz'

August 21, 2025

Cardi B is officially back in album mode. On Friday, the rap superstar released her new single “Imaginary Playerz,” a bold track that samples Jay-Z’s classic “Imaginary Player.” The release comes...

Read more
stayc main image

Gary Oldman Reflects on David Bowie: “The World’s Gone to Shit” Since His Passing

August 21, 2025

Gary Oldman opened up about his decades-long friendship with the late David Bowie, calling the world a very different place since the music icon’s death in January 2016. In a heartfelt interview...

Read more
stayc main image

From Palio to Plushies: Madonna's 67th Birthday Blends Medieval Traditions with Modern Trends

August 21, 2025

The Queen of Pop just proved she's still the ultimate trendsetter even when it comes to birthday cakes. Madonna rang in her 67th birthday with a luxurious Italian getaway capped off by an enormous...

Read more
stayc main image

Jade Thirlwall Calls Out Matty Healy's Political Silence: "Your Privilege is Showing, Disappointing"

August 20, 2025

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall isn't mincing words about artists who avoid political engagement, specifically calling out The 1975's Matty Healy for what she sees as a privileged stance. In...

Read more
stayc main image

PinkPantheress – Illegal: The Song That Feels Wrong but Sounds So Right

August 20, 2025

PinkPantheress has once again cracked the code of Gen Z’s collective brain chemistry with her track Illegal. It’s short, it’s addictive, and it’s the kind of song that makes you feel like you’re...

Read more
stayc main image

Conan Gray – Caramel: The Sweetest Breakup You’ll Ever Cry To

August 20, 2025

Conan Gray has never been shy about writing songs that feel like reading your high school diary at 2 a.m. with the lights off. But with Caramel, he’s gone full Willy Wonka heartbreak mode. It’s...

Read more
stayc main image

PinkPantheress – Romeo: A Love Song for the Chronically Online

August 20, 2025

PinkPantheress has always had a gift for making music that feels like it was recorded inside your daydreams, half diary entry, half late-night Tumblr scroll. With Romeo, she’s taken that talent and...

Read more
stayc main image

LISA – DREAM feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi: When Music Meets Cinema

August 20, 2025

Every so often, a song arrives that feels less like a single and more like a cinematic event. LISA’s latest release, DREAM featuring Japanese actor and heartthrob Kentaro Sakaguchi, is exactly that...

Read more
stayc main image

Cardi B’s “Imaginary Playerz”: The Anthem We Didn’t Know We Needed

August 20, 2025

If Cardi B has taught us anything, it’s that she doesn’t just rap, she throws down verbal haymakers wrapped in couture and glitter. Her new joint, “Imaginary Playerz,” is a full-on drag session for...

Read more
stayc main image

Joyce Manor Returns After Three Years

August 20, 2025

Everyone’s favorite pop-punkers, Joyce Manor, are back with their first new song in three years. The surprise single, “All My Friends Are So Depressed,” is out now via Epitaph Records, blending...

Read more
stayc main image

From Pews to Playlists: How Christian Pop Took Over the Hot 100

August 20, 2025

In 2025, Christian culture is prevalent, although it was previously on the outside of popular music. The Billboard Hot 100 is dominated by religious-themed songs like Benson Boone's...

Read more
stayc main image

SENSITIVE CONTENT The Fall of a Gospel Titan: Michael Tait’s Reckoning

August 20, 2025

Michael Tait, a well-known Christian rock musician (DC Talk, Newsboys), has admitted to engaging in "unwanted sensual" behavior and substance misuse for decades. Multiple accusers allege abuse...

Read more

Deciphering "Bad idea, right?" by Olivia Rodrigo

stayc main image

Photo Source: Larissa Hofmann

By now we all know Olivia Rodrigo, the teenage sensation who has taken the music industry by storm. She has a gift for capturing the deep emotions of youth in her songs. In her hit track "Good 4 u," released in May 2021, she channelled the angst and frustration that often accompany heartbreak. Now, with her song "Bad idea, right?," released this month, Rodrigo goes even deeper into the complex layers of emotions that come with navigating relationships and the rollercoaster of young love.

Unpacking the Narrative

"Bad idea, right?" is a song from Olivia Rodrigo's highly anticipated album “GUTS”, and it has struck a chord with listeners for its raw vulnerability and relatability. The song seems to chronicle the aftermath of a breakup, capturing the moments when the initial rush of emotions subsides, leaving behind a trail of confusion and reflection.

[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. 

Refrain: The Battle Within

[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 catchy refrain captures the inner sense that often accompanies such situations. The protagonist's brain seems to shut off, the noise of thoughts silenced by the chaotic blend of emotions. The repetition of "blah-blah-blah" encapsulates the idea of a distance with everything happening around her, where logical reasoning is drowned out by the heart's desires. The push and pull between acting on the "bad idea" and adhering to reason become a central theme, portrayed vividly through these lines.

Pre-Chorus: The Inevitable Dilemma

[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

The pre-chorus sets the stage for the ultimate decision – should she give in to the temptation or resist? The repetition of the phrase "Seeing you tonight, it's a bad idea, right?" reflects the internal dialogue she engages in. The uncertainty and doubt are palpable as she grapples with the consequences of the choices she might make that night. This pre-chorus not only captures the essence of the song but serves as a relatable reflection of the inner conflicts that many individuals face in their own lives.

Chorus: Rationalizing Temptation

[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 the chorus, she attempts to rationalise her impending decision. She questions whether it's possible for two people to reconnect innocently after a breakup. The lines "I only see him as a friend" reveal her attempts to downplay the emotional complexity of the situation. The chorus effectively portrays the self-deception that often occurs when trying to justify a potentially unwise choice, such as revisiting an old flame that didn't serve her any good but just a toxic relapse of situations..

Verse 2: Yielding to Impulse

[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

The second verse takes a dive into the emotional whirlwind as her impulse prevails. Despite knowing that she should resist, she finds herself "getting in the car, wrecking all [her] plans." The act of disregarding her better judgement and succumbing to the allure of the past is a relatable theme, drawing listeners into her mysterious journey.

Bridge: The Tug-of-War Persists

[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 echoes the sentiments of the chorus and refrains, emphasising the relentless back-and-forth struggle. The repetition of lines and themes serves to magnify the internal conflict, mirroring the cyclical nature of decision-making in moments of emotional vulnerability.

Outro: The Ever-Persistent Thoughts

[outro]

Thoughts

Blah

Thoughts

Blah

As the song concludes, the outro revisits the struggle between thoughts and emotions. The word "thoughts" becomes a mantra, encapsulating the whirlwind of conflicting feelings and considerations. The repetition of "blah" reinforces the idea that rationality often gets lost in the chaos of emotions.

Olivia Rodrigo's "Bad idea, right?" masterfully captures the complexity of human emotion and the internal conflicts that come with revisiting the past. Through its relatable narrative and catchy melody, the song resonates with listeners who have navigated the tumultuous waters of post-breakup emotions, adding another compelling layer to Rodrigo's growing portfolio of authentic, emotive music. Don't forget to go stream her music on platforms including Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music and more!