“brutal” is Olivia Rodrigo’s punk-rock take on teenage angst. The production by Dan Nigro complements SOUR’s other tracks like “good 4 u” and “jealousy, jealousy.”
Rodrigo sings about the misleading promise of youth, including all the betrayals, disappointments, parents' expectations, and challenge...
[Intro]
I want it to be, like, messy
[Verse 1]
I'm so insecure, I think
That I'll die before I drink
And I'm so caught up in the news
Of who likes me and who hates you
And I'm so tired that I might
Quit my job, start a new life
And they'd all be so disappointed
'Cause who am I if not exploited?
And I'm so sick of seventeen
Where's my fucking teenage dream?
If someone tells me one more time
"Enjoy your youth," I'm gonna cry
And I don't stick up for myself
I'm anxious, and nothing can help
And I wish I'd done this before
And I wish people liked me more
[Chorus]
All I did was try my best
This the kinda thanks I get?
Unrelentlessly upset (Ah-ah-ah)
They say these are the golden years
But I wish I could disappear
Ego crush is so severe
God, it's brutal out here
[Post-Chorus]
(Yeah)
[Verse 2]
I feel like no one wants me
And I hate the way I'm perceived
I only have two real friends
And lately, I'm a nervous wreck
'Cause I love people I don't like
And I hate every song I write
And I'm not cool, and I'm not smart
And I can't even parallel park
[Chorus]
All I did was try my best
This the kinda thanks I get?
Unrelentlessly upset (Ah-ah-ah)
They say these are the golden years
But I wish I could disappear
Ego crush is so severe
God, it's brutal out here
[Post-Chorus]
(Yeah)
(Just havin' a really good time)
[Outro]
Got a broken ego, broken heart
(Yeah, it's brutal out here, yeah, it's brutal out here)
And God, I don't even know where to start
brutal was written by Dan Nigro & Olivia Rodrigo.
brutal was produced by Dan Nigro.
Olivia Rodrigo released brutal on Fri May 21 2021.
On an Instagram Live with Elle, Olivia was asked which song from SOUR was her favorite:
Oh my gosh, it changes all the time. Right now it’s the first song, called “brutal.” I think it’s a really unique song, and the lyricism is really authentic too. I’m super excited for people to hear that one.
I told everyone that I wanted to make “brutal” the first track on the record, and they were like, “Girl, are you sure?” Just ‘cause it’s kind of a little polarizing, I think, but I absolutely love it. It’s a really angsty song I suppose, and I sort of just talk about everything that I’m upset about...
“brutal” debuted and peaked at #12 on the Hot 100 during the week ending June 5, 2021. It also debuted at #1 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, her first #1 in that category.
“brutal” was first performed live at SOUR Prom on June 29, 2021:
Yes, “brutal” was certified 2× platinum by the RIAA on June 30, 2023.