Olivia Rodrigo walks through her creative process behind ‘Guts’ songs in NPR’s Tiny Desk
Screencap from NPR Music/YouTube
It’s safe to say that the Filipino-American pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo enjoyed her performance at the iconic Tiny Desk at NPR for an exclusive concert featuring tracks from her sophomore studio album, “Guts.”
For the 20-year-old Grammy winner, the experience was more than just another gig; it was a “huge honor” that left her starstruck.
“I’ve never been star-struck by a room before,” Rodrigo confessed in the video uploaded by NPR on Dec. 11.
As she readied herself to perform, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to appear on the renowned Tiny Desk Concert series without any pandemic restrictions.
The “Vampire” songstress selected four songs from her latest album, opening the set with “Love Is Embarrassing.”
In a moment of openness, Rodrigo revealed to the audience the inspiration behind the song, recounting a night spent lying in bed, replaying every embarrassing moment and cringing at herself.
“I had one of those nights, and I woke up the next morning, and I sat in my living room and wrote this song,” she expressed following that introspective night.
The musical journey unfolded with “Vampire,” a testament to Rodrigo’s meticulous songwriting process. Initially conceived in a burst of creative energy lasting only 20 or 30 minutes, she shed light on the depth of dedication she and her producer invested in refining the piece.
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Her pride in the finished product radiated, a testament to the collaborative effort and unwavering commitment that brought “Vampire” to its polished and resonant form.
Delving into “Lacy,” her next song, Rodrigo shared it began as a poem during her time at the University of Southern California. Departing from her usual simultaneous melody and lyric approach, she turned homework into a unique songwriting experiment—one that resulted in one of her favorite tracks on the record.
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Closing with “Making the Bed,” the singer shared that she wrote the song in New York, expressing a theme of personal accountability and grappling with relationships that didn’t bring her happiness.
Rodrigo’s Tiny Desk appearance not only showcased her vocal prowess but also offered fans a glimpse into the creative process behind the chart-topping album, “Guts,” which has earned six nominations for the upcoming 66th Grammy Awards.
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