Olivia Rodrigo refuses to stay silent on new single “serena joy.”

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by Ruby Tavano

single artwork via Spotify

Olivia Rodrigo is pioneering a path in the fight for women’s rights. Ahead of her all-female-bill festival at Daisy Chain Fields, she released a new single, “serena joy.” The message Rodrigo conveys in this new single isn’t necessarily shocking; she has been an active voice in the fight for women’s rights throughout her career, and she isn’t stopping now.

She started her global initiative, “Fund 4 Good,” which committed to building a better future for women by donating a portion of ticket sales from her GUTS World Tour to nonprofits that champion girls’ education, support reproductive rights, and work to prevent gender-based violence. Meanwhile, 100% of the net proceeds from her Daisy Chain Festival, which debuted on Saturday, August 29, went toward female-focused nonprofit organizations. It was reported that the festival ultimately raised $20 million. The single itself was also released for charity as part of the festival.

“serena joy” has a powerful and direct message: never submit to what is going on around you. Learn to fight, learn to speak up in a changing world. We as people, and more specifically as women, are a part of what makes this universe what it is. Without having opinions or fighting for what is good, the world will fall. Unfortunately, we live in a world where it is becoming harder and harder to speak up for what is right, and I think Rodrigo is paving a path to show that we cannot be afraid or silenced.

At the end of the day, she is showing you a trick: “If you can’t throw a punch, you can learn how to spit.” As young women, we can often be perceived as weak or not strong enough, and that is part of what makes that lyric so defiant. When she sings, “If they do to them, they will do it to you,” it speaks to how often people turn a blind eye to what is happening simply because it isn’t directly affecting them. Stay aware and be a part of the cause.

What makes this single so powerful, though, is not just the lyricism alone; it is the production paired with it. This is not a sad, reflective ballad; it is a full-blown rock single. Give it a listen, hear what Rodrigo has to say, and maybe you, too, can begin to be a part of the cause.

Link to Daisy Chain Fields