Christmas is here — well, according to Olivia Rodrigo. On Nov. 5, Rodrigo released her first-ever Christmas single “take me home (4 christmas).” In true Rodrigo fashion, not only are the lyrics absolutely hilarious, but they’re also so relatable. And after the release of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, a happy, unserious holiday song is just what Livies need.
In “take me home (4 christmas),” Rodrigo isn’t asking for gifts or elaborate declarations of love. She just wants her crush to take her home for Christmas, so she can bond with his family… and get drunk with his parents to be the “coolest in-law daughter.” Of course, it’s a funny concept, but the lyrics make the meaning of the song all the more relatable.
At the start of the song, Rodrigo sings, “It’s the third time this week we’ve been to this bar/ Playing ‘Joy to the World’ on electric guitar/ And we’re three beers deep, and they’re closing in ten/ Oh, boy, don’t you know what kind of girl I’ve been?” Rodrigo is setting the stage for the current state of the relationship. It’s the holiday season, and she has been to this bar with the guy she’s dating for the third time. And with the holidays here, Rodrigo is saying she’s ready for something a little different. Not only that, but saying that the bar closes in 10 minutes implies that Rodrigo wants to leave with him, but not in the way you’d think.
These feelings are reinforced with the following line, “I’ve been patient and merry and kind/ And I’ve been waiting a really long time.” These lines build up to the chorus where Rodrigo declares what she truly wants for this Christmas — and surprise! Like so many of us, all Rodrigo wants for this Christmas is a little bit of commitment.
Over the drums, jingle bells, and electric guitar, Rodrigo belts, “I want you to take me home / And not so we can make out / I want you to take me home / Take me home to your parents’ house.” She also reinforces her desire for commitment, singing, “I want you to take me home / Show me serious commitment / I want you to take me home / Yeah, come on, take me home for Christmas.”
As the song continues, Rodrigo relishes in her holiday cheer — and she’s enjoying every moment of (hypothetically) being taken home for Christmas. She’s also made herself completely at home, singing, “Woke up late, but your momma don’t care/ And she walked in on me in just my underwear.”
Rodrigo also extends her excitement to his family, singing, “Now your whole family’s peeking under the tree / Oh, look at that, a bunch of gifts they got from me.” Her reasoning? She sings, “‘Cause I’m so thoughtful and merry and kind / And I was waiting a really long time,” further emphasizing that she’s been itching for commitment. Honestly? Been there.
After another chorus, Rodrigo ends the song with a bridge saying all of the things she wants to do with her crush’s family… if they were in a committed relationship, of course: “Wanna get drunk with your mother and father / I’d be the coolest in-law daughter / Hungover brunch with you and your sister.” Rodrigo also slips in subtle (unserious!) shade to her crush’s previous relationships, singing, “Your exes got the summer, but boy, I get the winter.”
When you like someone, you naturally want to spend time with them during the most wonderful time of the year — and, if you’re Rodrigo, actually commit instead of going to the same bar over and over again. After all, who doesn’t want to be the coolest girlfriend at the family function?