Olivia Rodrigo – Get Him Back!

Olivia Rodrigo’s “Get Him Back!” is one of the standout tracks from her 2023 sophomore album GUTS. It’s a razor-sharp, witty, and emotionally charged song that captures the confusion, humor, and frustration of post-breakup feelings. The track perfectly reflects Rodrigo’s evolution from a teenage pop prodigy into a confident, self-aware songwriter who can turn heartbreak into clever, cathartic art.

Song Overview

“Get Him Back!” plays on a brilliant double entendre—Rodrigo wants to “get him back,” meaning both to reconcile with her ex and to exact revenge on him. The song’s lyrics humorously explore this tension between love and anger, showing a narrator who’s conflicted but unapologetically honest. She sings lines like:

“I wanna key his car, I wanna make him lunch”
“I wanna break his heart, then be the one to stitch it up.”

These lines embody the song’s cheeky tone, balancing rage with playfulness. Musically, the track fuses elements of 2000s garage rock and pop-punk with modern pop production. The song alternates between rap-like verses and a chant-driven chorus, building an infectious energy that makes it one of Rodrigo’s most fun and explosive tracks to date. The raw guitar riffs, handclaps, and lo-fi textures give it an edge that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Songwriting and Production

“Get Him Back!” was written by Olivia Rodrigo, Dan Nigro, Ira Garon, Jack DeBevoise, and Amanda Mendez. As with most of her work, Rodrigo collaborated closely with producer Dan Nigro, who helped craft her signature blend of vulnerability and punk-inspired defiance. Nigro’s production highlights Rodrigo’s expressive vocals and tongue-in-cheek delivery, pairing gritty guitars with slick pop polish.

Nigro’s approach is intentionally imperfect—he leans into distortion and the rawness of live instrumentation while maintaining the sharp hooks and structure of mainstream pop. This balance between chaos and control gives “Get Him Back!” its distinctive punch, mirroring the emotional messiness Rodrigo describes in her lyrics.

Charts

Following the release of GUTS, “Get Him Back!” quickly gained traction across streaming platforms and social media. It became a viral hit on TikTok thanks to its witty lyrics and catchy rhythm, with fans using it in comedic and empowering breakup-related videos. The song peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted within the Top 40 in the UK. Critics praised it as one of the album’s highlights, calling it “a pop-rock anthem for chaotic emotions” and “a perfect blend of humor, honesty, and teenage rebellion.”

Music Video

The music video for “Get Him Back!” was directed by Petra Collins, known for her dreamy yet slightly chaotic visual style. The video features Rodrigo interacting with multiple clones of herself—an inventive metaphor for the conflicting emotions she feels. Together, these “Olivias” wreak playful havoc: smashing objects, pulling pranks, and laughing at their own madness.

Using advanced visual effects, the video seamlessly multiplies Rodrigo, giving the impression of a chaotic sisterhood united in emotional catharsis. The pastel color palette, playful editing, and tongue-in-cheek tone complement the song’s mix of anger and amusement. The result is a visual that’s as funny, chaotic, and self-aware as the song itself.

“Get Him Back!” captures Olivia Rodrigo at her most clever and confident. It’s a track that channels heartbreak into humor and chaos into empowerment. By juxtaposing affection and fury, Rodrigo proves that she can be both vulnerable and irreverent—sometimes in the same breath.

This song isn’t just about an ex; it’s about reclaiming control of your emotions and finding catharsis in laughter. With “Get Him Back!”, Olivia Rodrigo once again redefines what modern pop-rock can be: messy, funny, and undeniably human.

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: Hit songs of the 2020s
The 2020s have been a decade of rapid evolution in music, driven by technology and accelerated globalization. As streaming services continue to dominate, the rise of AI and virtual artists has unlocked new possibilities for the music industry. Meanwhile, global hits, especially from K-pop, have taken the world by storm, with BTS and BLACKPINK captivating audiences across the globe. This era’s music is a testament to diversity and innovation. In this article, we’ve carefully selected standout hits of the 2020s, diving into their unique appeal and the stories behind them. Join us on a journey to explore the cutting-edge music ...