Olivia Rodrigo shares emotional story and 'late-night' songswriting process behind new album

Olivia Rodrigo has opened up about the inspiration behind her new album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.

The 23-year-old Grammy winner touched upon vulnerability behind her latest music-making process as she recently made an appearance on Zane Lowe's Apple Music show. In her experience, one of the biggest challenges was writing love songs that felt personal and meaningful.

"How do I write a love song that feels like it matters to me?" Rodrigo recalled asking herself.  

She also discussed her song honeybee, which explores the fear that can come with loving someone deeply. Rodrigo said being in a close relationship can feel frightening because there is always the possibility of losing that person.

"Being with someone who you are attached to and adore in this way, it's the most terrifying thing ever," she confessed during the interview.

The singer admitted she currently feels that way and hopes the relationship lasts. "I have it right now. I hope it doesn't go away," the singer further remarked.

Rodrigo also revealed that some of her songs were written during sleepless nights caused by jet lag, including begged, which she revealed was written at 4 a.m. in a London hotel room while she quietly sang so she would not wake her best friend.

Rodrigo noted that being awake while everyone else is asleep can create the perfect atmosphere for songwriting.

"Something about feeling alone in the world and everyone else is asleep is just a beautiful bed to plant songwriting seeds," she reflected.

She also discussed cigarette smoke, the final track on the album, which she says was completed just one week before the album's vinyl production deadline. 

"It's a pretty dark way to end the album, but I kind of like how the first song is like the happiest song ever and then the last song is like the darkest song ever."