The Olivia Rodrigo era of pop music is back. Rodrigo has released several well-known hits in her career as a pop star, such as “drivers license,” and continues to excite fans with every new announcement and release of her music. With Rodrigo releasing her album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love in June and currently touring; it was a complete surprise when she announced online that she’s releasing a remix of her song “expectations” featuring Chappell Roan.
The duo, while being known as friends, have never been credited officially for projects together. However, we have heard Roan’s backup vocals on tracks such as “lacy” and “obsessed” from Rodrigo’s GUTS album. This single marks the first official collaboration between Rodrigo and Roan.
The Collab Announcement
On Oct. 14, Rodrigo announced on Instagram the release of her song “expectations” featuring Chappell Roan. From Rodrigo’s most recent album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl so in Love, the remixed version of the single was released on Oct. 16, with a music video accompanying it featuring Rodrigo and Roan.
Apart from Roan performing during the Daisy Chain Fields Festival for Rodrigo, there had been no rumors regarding any collaboration between the duo until Rodrigo posted a teaser via her Instagram. Rodrigo’s teaser, posted via an Instagram story, featured an audio clip of Roan saying “Ooh, Olivia does remixes now” on Oct. 12.
This teaser made Rodrigo’s later announcement highly anticipated as fans of both artists began speculating about the collaboration, considering the duo’s friendship and history of performing together.
The Duo’s History Together
Rodrigo and Roan are no strangers to one another, with the duo being well-known friends. Roan has consistently been known to show up in the past to give Rodrigo her support. In May 2022, Roan was Rodrigo’s opener for her show in San Francisco during the SOUR Tour. Following the SOUR Tour, Roan was one of four artists asked to be an opening act for Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour, with Roan serving as Rodrigo’s opener during most of the North American leg of the tour.
Most recently, Roan has supported Rodrigo by being one of the main acts during Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival in August. The festival was about celebrating women and providing women with resources through partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as the Center for Reproductive Rights, National Institute for Reproductive Health, and Planned Parenthood. Roan, along with other well-known artists such as Doechii, Mitski, and Stevie Nicks, performed during Rodrigo’s festival.
the Remix Music Video
The “expectations” music video was released on Oct.15 at 8 p.m. and was teased to fans via Rodrigo’s Instagram earlier in the day, giving fans a sneak peek of the music video. In my opinion, the music video with its 1980s television game show theme embraces the fun, camp, upbeat energy of Roan’s music while staying true to Rodrigo’s original song.
With “expectations” originally reaching the Billboard Hot 100, charting at No. 20 when released in June, the addition of a featured music video and added verses featuring Roan adds to the overall high-energy spirit of Rodrigo’s album.
With Rodrigo’s Unraveled tour currently happening, fans can only wonder what the duo will do next together. As a fan of both Rodrigo and Roan, I’m excited to see what they decide to do next together and whether this collaboration will lead to more music in the future.
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