“Vampire” is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was just released in June, as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album, GUTS. The song is a pop-rock ballad with dark and moody lyrics about revenge and empowerment.
What is a Vampire?
A vampire is a creature of folklore that subsists by feeding on the vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead creatures that are typically pale, gaunt, and have sharp teeth. They are often associated with darkness, death, and the supernatural.
Olivia’s Inspo
The song’s title was inspired by the Twilight film series. Rodrigo has said that she was “obsessed” with the series when she was younger, and she wanted to write a song that captured the feeling of being “bitten” by someone and then being left to “bleed.”
The Song
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a woman who has been wronged by a man. She compares him to a vampire, who “bites and then leaves you to bleed.” She sings about how she is going to get revenge on him, and how she is going to “turn the tables” on him.
The song’s production is dark and atmospheric, with a driving beat and a distorted guitar riff. The song’s melody is catchy and memorable, and the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever been hurt by someone they loved.
“Vampire” has been praised by critics for its dark and powerful lyrics, and for Rodrigo’s vocals, which are both vulnerable and strong. The song has also been a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
The song’s popularity can be attributed to its dark and relatable lyrics, as well as its catchy melody and production. The song has struck a chord with listeners who have been hurt by someone they loved, and it has given them a voice to express their anger and pain.
Fun Fact
Top 5 Vampire films:
“Nosferatu” (1922) – F.W. Murnau’s iconic silent film about the vampire Count Orlok, inspired by Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.”
“Let the Right One In” (2008) – A Swedish film that explores the unique friendship between a bullied young boy and a mysterious vampire girl.
“Dracula” (1992) – Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, featuring Gary Oldman as the enigmatic Count Dracula.
“Only Lovers Left Alive” (2013) – Jim Jarmusch’s poetic and atmospheric film that follows the eternal love story of two vampire musicians.
“Interview with the Vampire” (1994) – A gripping adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel, featuring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Kirsten Dunst as vampires navigating their immortal existence.
Not mentioned but maybe more relevant: “Twilight”, “The Lost Boys”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and “Salem’s Lot”.
About the Artist
Olivia Isabel Rodrigo (born February 20, 2003) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She gained recognition in the late 2010s with her lead roles on the Disney television programs Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. After signing with Geffen and Interscope Records in 2020, Rodrigo released her debut single “Drivers License”, which broke various records and became one of the best-selling songs of 2021, propelling her to mainstream fame.
Rodrigo was born in Temecula, California. Her father is a family therapist of Filipino descent, and her mother is a teacher of German and Irish ancestry. Rodrigo started taking vocal lessons in kindergarten and learned to play piano soon after. She began taking acting and singing classes at age six and started acting in theater productions in elementary school. Rodrigo was playing guitar by age 12.
In 2015, Rodrigo was cast in the Disney Channel television series Bizaardvark, playing Paige Olvera. The series ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, Rodrigo was cast as Nini Salazar-Roberts in the Disney+ television series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. The series was a huge success, and Rodrigo’s performance was praised by critics.
