Olivia Rodrigo drew motivation from Kendrick Lamar while drafting You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.
The 23-year-old star explained that Lamar’s Humble served as a major influence during the writing of the track Expectations for her latest album.
In a chat with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, she described the process as a personal challenge—a goal to craft a mantra song. She noted that many of her tunes reveal how she feels, but she wanted something she could sing every night. It echoes Kendrick Lamar’s “Sit down, be humble,” a line that sticks in the brain and functions as a mantra.
And Olivia — who has just dropped an Expectations remix with Chappell Roan — said she was also inspired by the Pink Pony Club singer.
“When I wrote the song, I was really inspired by Chappell and the attitude and swagger she brings… It always felt like it came from Chappell and her approach to writing,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Olivia has admitted she felt “so lucky” to collaborate with Chappell Roan and David Byrne on the video for her Expectations remix.
The track appears on her latest album You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love, but she reimagined it with Chappell, accompanied by a promo styled after a retro 1980s game show titled The Big Expectations Show.
It features Olivia and Chappell with Talking Heads icon David Byrne as the host, with Olivia’s long-time producer Dan Nigro also making a cameo.
Olivia shared behind-the-scenes images from the shoot on Instagram and wrote: “Expectations featuring @chappellroan is out now!!!!
“I love this song and this video so much! Chappell is the most incredible person and the most inspiring artist, and I’m so lucky to learn from her and call her a friend.”
“Getting to make art with people you love is the best feeling ever, and I can’t thank Chappell, @dan_nigro @amyallen and @bardiazeinali enough for helping bring this vision to life.”
“And a huge shoutout to @davidbyrneofficial for the most incredible cameo ever!!! I’ve got big expectations, baby!!!!!!”
Earlier reports suggested that the collaboration between Olivia and Chappell began after they connected at Olivia’s Daisy Chain Fields festival this summer.
An insider told The Sun’s Bizarre column: “Olivia and Chappell have been friends for a long time through producer and songwriter Dan Nigro, who has been a close collaborator of them both.”
“It’s been more than a year since Chappell released new music because she’s stepped away from the spotlight to quietly work on fresh tracks.”
“But they reconnected in August at Olivia’s Daisy Chain Fields festival, where they both performed, and they decided to team up. Chappell loves the song’s message, and the version they created together is magical.”
