When one first hears Olivia Rodrigo's "The Cure," which is not, as one might assume, a biographical tune about Robert Smith, the listener might at first mistake the track for the Foo Fighters' "Everlong." The tempo and sonics are quite similar.
But instead of the bombast that Dave Grohl and company quickly kick in, Rodrigo stays in the more melancholy moment. At least, for a minute. The same listener likely feels as if they are being set up. The exposition of the song goes on too long, and Rodrigo surely wouldn't let it stay that way.
Lyrically, as with a lot of the 23-year-old's past gems, self-doubt is rampant. She is singing about herself because that is where her problem lies. She doesn't blame others. She looks inward and isn't overly kind.
Olivia Rodrigo proves she wise beyond her years on "The Cure"
In that way, "The Cure" augments Rodrigo's musical integrity, as might the rest of her album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which will be released on June 12. She isn't just a pretty face trying to play in the big girls' room. She is looking to own it because she deserves it, despite her lack of trust in herself. The honesty takes guts, and she's got those in spades.
In fact, it is the other in her life lyrically that is the good guy. Her mate attempts to help her past her personal demons, trying to prove that love is the "antidote." The wise, but young, Rodrigo knows better: Love doesn't solve all the issues because one can never leave oneself behind.
Heck, you can't blame the guy for trying, and Rodrigo certainly doesn't. She admits to as much, and later in the track will unleash her full rage.
Sonically, the single is extremely well-produced with just the right balance between Olivia Rodrigo's vocals and the ever-present acoustic guitar. The chorus has flushes of strings, but almost to mock a song which, in less talented hands, could have turned into sappy meaninglessness.
The video that accompanies "The Cure" is also well done. Having Rodrigo dressed as a nurse with a song, the name of the single appears obvious, but it still works. Mostly because everything happening around her singing fits with the theme.
This is especially true of the ending in which the nurse is crushed by another Rodrigo, the dream of love is completely forsaken, and life is not the same.
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