Olivia Rodrigo’s hit breakup anthem “Drivers License” is widely speculated to be about her ex-boyfriend and High School Musical: The Musical co-star Joshua Bassett. The song launched the 18-year-old into global stardom in early 2021, and had fans analyzing the lyrics about heartbreak over an ex who moved on quickly.
Rodrigo’s meteoric rise has been defined by her confessional, diary-entry style songs that dive deep into teen romance and heartbreak. With lyrics that feel ripped from high school crush gossip, fans are hungry to know who and what real-life events inspired Olivia’s chart-topping tales of love.
Key Takeaways:
- Olivia Rodrigo’s ex that she sings about is Joshua Bassett.
- drivers license” and other songs sparked rumors about the Olivia-Joshua-Sabrina love triangle.
- Both Olivia and Joshua have remained somewhat private about the true inspirations behind their songs.
- TikTok played a pivotal role in amplifying rumors and theories.
- Breakup songs resonate with the public because of their universal themes of heartbreak.
- Both artists have promising careers ahead.
Who is Olivia Rodrigo’s ex-boyfriend, Joshua Bassett?
Joshua Bassett is a talented actor and musician, best known for his role alongside Olivia Rodrigo in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”.
Their on-screen chemistry quickly turned into real-life romance, but the relationship was short-lived, leading to a series of songs that fans speculate are about their breakup.
What’s the story behind “drivers license”?
When Olivia Rodrigo released her song “drivers license” in early 2021, it became an instant hit. Lyrics like “probably with that blonde girl” had fans speculating that the song was about Joshua Bassett and a rumored relationship with Sabrina Carpenter.
This love triangle theory gained even more traction with lines such as “it took you two weeks” referring to how quickly Joshua seemed to move on.
Has Olivia Rodrigo been in a relationship with anyone else?
While Olivia Rodrigo’s personal life has been largely private, her breakout year in 2021 put her relationships in the limelight. Other than Joshua, Olivia has not publicly confirmed any other relationships.
What happened between Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo?
The two met on the set of their TV show and They became close shortly after. However, their relationship ended, and soon after, Olivia released her breakout song “drivers license”. Fans were quick to connect the dots between the song’s emotional lyrics and her relationship with Joshua.
Sabrina Carpenter’s entrance: More than just a “blonde girl”?
After the release of “drivers license”, Sabrina Carpenter, another talented artist, released “Skin”, which fans think was a response to Olivia’s song. Lyrics hinted at the love triangle, further intensifying rumors.
Songs and Their Speculated References
| Song Title | Artist | Speculated Reference | Notable Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| “drivers license” | Olivia Rodrigo | Joshua Bassett & Sabrina Carpenter | “probably with that blonde girl” |
| “traitor” | Olivia Rodrigo | Joshua Bassett | “It took you two weeks to take some time off” |
| “Skin” | Sabrina Carpenter | Response to “drivers license” | “Maybe you didn’t mean it, maybe ‘blonde’ was the only rhyme” |
| “Lie Lie Lie” | Joshua Bassett | Speculated about Olivia Rodrigo | “I know what you say about me, I hope that it makes you happy” |
| “Only a Matter of Time” | Joshua Bassett | General rumors or misinterpretation | “You said what you said, but I’m not dead, no revenge in mind” |
Songs Olivia Rodrigo has written: Are they all about Joshua?
Apart from “drivers license”, other songs like “traitor” also seem to reference their relationship. Olivia Rodrigo’s ability to express her emotions through her lyrics has resonated with many, but she has never explicitly confirmed that all her songs are about Joshua Bassett.
The Launch of “Drivers License”
In January 2021, Olivia Rodrigo released her smash single “Drivers License”, detailing the painful emotions after a difficult breakup. Cryptic lyrics like “And you’re probably with that blonde girl” had fans speculating it was about Joshua Bassett splitting with Olivia for fellow Disney star Sabrina Carpenter.
The internet exploded trying to decode the possible real-life love triangle behind the viral hit. It became the biggest debut single in Spotify history, showing the power of confessional relationship songs.
Joshua’s New Songs Reference Olivia
Both Olivia and Joshua seem to subtly reference each other in songs released after their breakup. In “Lie Lie Lie,” Joshua refers to an ex who moved on too fast after they split.
He sings, “You broke my heart just for fun” and “took a couple of weeks to take some personal time,” lines fans believe point to Olivia and the timeline of her releasing “Drivers License.”
Sabrina Enters with “Skin”
Sabrina Carpenter added fuel to the fire when she dropped the song “Skin” soon after “Drivers License.” Lyrics like “Who you are is not where you come from/you’re still an innocent” seem to insinuate Sabrina may be the “blonde girl” in Olivia’s tale.
She sings, “You can try to get under my, under my, under my skin” leading fans to think she is responding to drivers license calling her out as the rebound.
Olivia Responds with More Heartbreak Songs
Never one to leave the last word unsaid, Olivia continued her confessional catalog with more songs seeming to reference Joshua. In “Deja Vu,” she sings “Carve your name into my bedpost/’Cause I don’t want you like a best friend.“
And in “Good 4 U” she snipes, “Like a damn sociopath” and “And good for you, you look happy and healthy/Not me, if you ever cared to ask.” Ouch!
Joshua’s response in music: Telling his side of the story?
Joshua released songs like “Lie Lie Lie” and “Only a Matter of Time” after Olivia’s “drivers license”. Fans believe these are his way of sharing his side of the story. Yet, just like Olivia, Joshua has never publicly confirmed the real inspiration behind his songs.
The power of TikTok in fueling the rumors
TikTok played a significant role in this saga. Fans dissected song lyrics, shared theories, and connected potential dots between the three artists, making it a trending topic on the platform for weeks.
Breakup anthems: Why are they so relatable?
Breakup songs, like those of Olivia Rodrigo, tap into universal feelings of heartbreak and betrayal. They become anthems because everyone, at some point, has felt the pain of love lost.
Love Triangle involving Joshua and Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia
After the release of ‘drivers license’, there was rampant speculation that the “blonde” mentioned was a reference to Sabrina Carpenter. When Sabrina released “Skin”, with lyrics that seemed to be a response, the rumor mill went into overdrive.
Jane Chow from Awesomenesstv’s daily report even commented on the speculated love triangle involving Joshua and Sabrina and Olivia.
Looking ahead: What’s next for Olivia and Joshua?
Both Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett have bright futures ahead. With their immense talent, fans are excited to see what new music and projects they’ll embark on, independent of their past relationship.
FAQs
What’s the connection between the “drivers license” song by Olivia Rodrigo and her ex Joshua Bassett?
“drivers license” is a hit song from Olivia Rodrigo’s discography that many fans believe references her past relationship with Joshua Bassett. With lyrics like “you’re probably with that blonde”, it’s speculated to hint at Joshua’s new relationship post their breakup.
While Olivia Rodrigo has written many emotional songs, she’s never publicly confirmed specific inspirations.
Has Joshua Bassett released songs that fans think address the breakup with Olivia?
Yes, Joshua Bassett dropped songs including “Lie Lie Lie” and “Only a Matter of Time”, which fans believe tell his side of the story. For instance, when Bassett sings “calls out an ex,” it sparked discussions that he’s referring to his ex-girlfriend Olivia Rodrigo. However, like Olivia, he hasn’t publicly confirmed these speculations.
What impact has TikTok had on the Olivia Rodrigo-Joshua Bassett saga?
TikTok has played a significant role in fueling the rumors and discussions around Olivia and Joshua’s relationship and subsequent breakup.
From dissecting the lyrics of “drivers license” to commenting on Sabrina while they were still fresh in public memory, TikTok users, including favorite TikTok stars like Addison Rae, shared their theories and takes, making the story even more viral.
How has the Olivia-Joshua saga influenced pop culture and entertainment?
The rollercoaster relationship between Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, especially with songs that fans think are swipes at ex-partners, has made a significant imprint on pop culture.
Things pop culture and entertainment journalists, such as Casey Bailey and Jane Chow from Awesomenesstv’s daily report, have extensively covered the story, solidifying its impact. Their breakup songs, considered by many as breakup anthems, resonate deeply with listeners, proving the lasting influence of their narrative in entertainment.
Conclusion
The breakup between Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett was one of the most talked-about celebrity breakups of 2021. Rodrigo’s songs about the breakup have resonated with millions of people around the world, and she has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Bassett has also released successful music since the breakup, and he is continuing to grow his career.
It is unclear what the future holds for Rodrigo and Bassett, but they are both talented young artists with bright futures ahead of them
