Traitor (song) explained

Traitor
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Olivia Rodrigo
Album:Sour
Recorded:2020
Studio:Amusement (Los Angeles)
Genre:
Length:3:49
Label:Geffen
Producer:Dan Nigro
Prev Title:Good 4 U
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Brutal
Next Year:2021

"Traitor" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. It was released to US mainstream radio on August 10, 2021, through Geffen Records, as the fourth single from Rodrigo's debut album, Sour (2021). An indie pop and guitar-rock ballad, the song was written by Rodrigo and Dan Nigro, and produced by the latter.

Before it was promoted as a single, upon Sour release, "Traitor" became a fan-favorite and achieved commercial success. Music critics praised the song for its vocals and lyrics, and picked it as an album highlight. "Traitor" arrived at number nine in the United States, number five in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Portugal. The song was also certified diamond in Mexico and platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The song received its debut performance in Rodrigo's YouTube concert film Sour Prom (2021) That was featured in her official channel.

Background and release

Following the minor success of "All I Want" (2019), American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo signed with Geffen Records, a subsidiary of Interscope Records, intending to release her debut extended play in 2021. After the widespread success of Rodrigo's debut single "Drivers License", released on January 8, 2021, she decided she wanted to make a full-length studio album instead.[1] [2]

Alongside the release of her second single "Deja Vu" on April 1, 2021, Rodrigo announced that her debut studio album, under the placeholder title *O*R, would be released on May 21.[3] On April 13, Rodrigo announced the cover art and announced the title of her debut studio album Sour. Together with the announcement, the track listing was announced, and "Traitor" was revealed to appear as track two on Sour.[4] The song was released with a lyric video alongside the album on May 21, 2021.[5]

"Traitor" was sent to US contemporary hit radio on August 10, 2021, as the fourth single from Sour.[6]

Composition

"Traitor" is an indie pop and guitar-rock ballad.[7] [8] [9] The song has been rumored to be about American actor and singer Joshua Bassett, who co-starred with Rodrigo in .[10] Lyrically, the song is about "feeling betrayed when you see your ex stepping into a new relationship while you're still reeling from your separation", as she whispers the lyrics "Guess you didn't cheat but you're still a traitor".

"Traitor" features a cinematic rise and fall of acoustics and a layering of harmonies. Musically, the song is set in the key of E major, and has a moderately slow tempo of 50 beats per minute. The song is set in time, and Rodrigo's vocals in the song span from B3 to A5.[11]

Critical reception

The song received acclaim from music critics. P. Claire Dodson, writing for Teen Vogue, called "Traitor" "flawless", and remarked that the song had a "Kacey Musgraves-esquenlight-folk backdrop".[12] Tatiana Tenreyro of The A.V. Club called the song "[Rodrigo's] most vulnerable song yet". NME Rhian Daly described the song as "gorgeous".[13] Larisha Paul from Billboard praised the song, deeming it to feature Rodrigo's "best vocal performance" throughout Sour.[14] As the song is sandwiched between two emotionally heavy tracks with heavy production, Larisha Paul of Billboard called the song a "chilling contrast" that features Rodrigo's best vocal performance on the album. Rolling Stone's Angie Martoccio also called the song as the "long-lost cousin" of Taylor Swift's 2020 song, "My Tears Ricochet".

Commercial performance

In the US, before it was promoted as a single, "Traitor" debuted and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 upon the album's release, charting alongside "Good 4 U" and "Deja Vu" in the top 10 of the chart.[15] Billboard underscored how "Traitor" accumulated impressive sales and streaming units for an album track. "Traitor" also reached number 3 on Billboard Streaming Songs chart, distinguishing Rodrigo as the first artist in history to claim all of the top three on the chart for consecutive weeks. Commenting on the song's critical and commercial success, Rodrigo said "I wrote it on my bed while I was crying. I never really thought that it was going to be a song that resonated with so many people. I thought that it was a very specific situation that I was going through, and it's so funny that that's the non-single song that's the most successful. So many people have been like, 'How did you know? This is exactly what happened to me!'".[16]

The song landed at number seven on the UK Singles Chart,[17] before rising and peaking at number five the following week. On Billboard Global 200 chart, the song peaked at number seven.[18] "Traitor" also charted within the top 10 in Australia, Canada,[19] Ireland, and New Zealand, and within the top 20 in Norway. Additionally, the song was certified platinum in the United Kingdom[20] and New Zealand, and quadruple platinum in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Live performances

"Traitor" received its debut performance on June 26, 2021, as part of the release of Rodrigo's concert film Sour Prom.[21] [22] Later, she performed the song at the iHeartRadio Music Festival on September 17–18, 2021, in Las Vegas, Austin City Limits on October 2, 2021, as well as on Jimmy Kimmel Live and at the 2021 American Music Awards. An acoustic performance was featured on Rodrigo's documentary film Driving Home 2 U: A Sour Film, released on March 25, 2022, on Disney+. Olivia also performed "traitor" which was featured in her Tiny Desk Performance on the NPR Music YouTube channel on December 7, 2021. "Traitor" and was also featured for Dolby Atmos where she "experienced" the song in Dolby Audio. She performed this song on her SOUR Tour, where it was usually sandwiched between “Favorite Crime” and “Deja Vu”.

Music video

A music video for "Traitor", directed by Olivia Bee, was released on October 21, 2021.[23] [24] She promoted the video on Instagram with the caption "surprise! traitor mv out now!"

The music video received a nomination for Best Pop Video at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sour.[25]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Greece (IFPI)[26] 27
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[27] 27
Indonesia (Billboard)[28] 24
Lithuania (AGATA)[29] 68
Malaysia (RIM)[30] 13
Norway (VG-lista)[31] 16
Singapore (RIAS)[32] 11
South Africa (RISA)[33] 24

Year-end charts

2021 year-end chart performance for "Traitor"!Chart (2021)!Position
Australia (ARIA)[34] 42
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[35] 40
Global 200 (Billboard)[36] 59
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[37] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[38] 30
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] 49
Portugal (AFP)[40] 57
UK Singles (OCC)[41] 42
US Billboard Hot 100[42] 38
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[43] 42
2022 year-end chart performance for "Traitor"!Chart (2022)!Position
Global 200 (Billboard)[44] 58

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesJune 22, 2021[45]
August 10, 2021Contemporary hit radio[46]
ItalyDecember 17, 2021Radio airplayUniversal[47]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Olivia Rodrigo: 33 facts about the Drivers License singer you need to know. July 11, 2021. PopBuzz. January 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210111060402/https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/features/olivia-rodrigo/. live.
  2. Lipshutz. Jason. January 19, 2021. How Olivia Rodrigo Turned a 'Really Painful Moment' Into a Phenomenon. July 11, 2021. Billboard. June 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210618121001/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9513123/olivia-rodrigo-interview-drivers-license-geffen-feature. live.
  3. Web site: Fuamoli. Sose. April 6, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo's 'f*cked around and made an album'. July 11, 2021. Triple J. April 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411014453/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/olivia-rodrigo-debut-album-new-single-deja-vu/13290518. live.
  4. Martoccio. Angie. April 13, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo Details Debut Album 'Sour,' Reveals Tracklist. July 11, 2021. Rolling Stone. subscription. April 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413173932/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-sour-album-tracklist-1155119/. live.
  5. Web site: Rodrigo. Olivia. May 21, 2021. traitor (Lyric Video). YouTube. July 11, 2021. July 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711102732/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tsu2oeZJgo. live.
  6. Web site: Top 40/M Cool New Music. All Access. August 12, 2021. registration.
  7. Web site: Gigwise Staff. June 21, 2021. The Best Albums of 2021 So Far Gigwise. July 11, 2021. Gigwise. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182624/https://www.gigwise.com/features/3399909/the-best-albums-of-2021-so-far-q2. live.
  8. Web site: DeLuca. Dan. Olivia Rodrigo's 'Sour' marks the arrival of a singer-songwriter to watch. The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 19, 2021. June 4, 2021.
  9. Web site: Tenreyro. Tatiana. May 21, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR is so much more than a breakup album. July 11, 2021. The A.V. Club. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709203639/https://www.avclub.com/olivia-rodrigo-s-sour-is-so-much-more-than-a-breakup-al-1846939048. live.
  10. Web site: Prance. Sam. May 21, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo fans think her Traitor lyrics call out Joshua Bassett for betraying her. July 11, 2021. PopBuzz. July 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711154247/https://www.popbuzz.com/music/artists/olivia-rodrigo/news/traitor-lyrics-meaning-joshua-bassett/. live.
  11. Web site: Rodrigo. Olivia. Nigro. Daniel. May 21, 2021. traitor by Olivia Rodrigo. July 11, 2021. Musicnotes.com. June 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603073827/https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0234377. live.
  12. Web site: Dodson. P. Claire. May 25, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo 'Sour' Album Review: It's Brutal Out Here. July 11, 2021. Teen Vogue. July 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701125111/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/olivia-rodrigo-sour-album-review. live.
  13. Web site: Daly. Rhian. May 21, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo – 'Sour' review: breakout star channels '90s alt-rock. July 11, 2021. NME. May 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210521180227/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/olivia-rodrigo-sour-review-2942135. live.
  14. Paul. Larisha. Every Song Ranked on Olivia Rodrigo's 'Sour': Critic's Picks. Billboard. May 21, 2021. May 21, 2021. May 22, 2021. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522091510/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/pop/9576109/olivia-rodrigo-sour-review-tracks-ranked.
  15. Trust. Gary. June 1, 2021. Smooth Start: BTS' 'Butter' Blasts In at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. July 11, 2021. June 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210601155701/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9580596/bts-butter-number-one-debut-hot-100/. live.
  16. Mamo. Heran. August 11, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo Was Surprised By Fans' Reactions to the 'Most Successful' Non-Single of 'Sour'. August 13, 2021. Billboard. en.
  17. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100. July 11, 2021. Official Charts Company. June 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210613082044/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20210528/7501/. live.
  18. June 5, 2021. Global 200 Chart. subscription. Billboard. July 11, 2021. June 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210604163338/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2021-06-05. live.
  19. Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Chart: June 5, 2021. subscription. Billboard. July 11, 2021. June 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210603005100/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2021-06-05. live.
  20. July 17, 2021. ✨ Taken from her debut album 'SOUR', @Olivia_Rodrigo's 'Traitor' is now #BRITcertified Silver! . brits. 1416037403035242502. July 18, 2021.
  21. Billboard Staff. June 30, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo Debuts Her Dreamy 'Sour Prom' Concert Film. July 11, 2021. Billboard. July 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210707125132/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9594974/olivia-rodrigo-dreamy-sour-prom-film/. live.
  22. Web site: Delgado. Sara. June 30, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo Performed "Traitor" for the First Time at 'Sour' Prom. July 11, 2021. Teen Vogue. July 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701125031/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/olivia-rodrigo-performed-traitor-brutal-sour-prom. live.
  23. Martoccio. Angie. October 21, 2021. Olivia Rodrigo Takes a Swim, Thinks You're Still a 'Traitor' in New Video. October 23, 2021. Rolling Stone.
  24. Web site: Olivia Rodrigo mourns a backstabbing ex in new music video for 'Traitor'. October 22, 2021. October 26, 2021. NME. Matt. Doria.
  25. Sour. Olivia Rodrigo. 2021. liner notes. Geffen Records. 00602438077441.
  26. Web site: IFPI Charts. 2021-07-12. www.ifpi.gr.
  27. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. May 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621060213/http://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/. June 21, 2021. dead.
  28. Indonesia Songs. Billboard. February 16, 2022. https://archive.today/20220216135042/https://www.billboard.com/charts/indonesia-songs-hotw/. February 16, 2022. live.
  29. Web site: 2021 23-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. Lithuanian. June 11, 2021. July 16, 2021.
  30. Web site: Top 20 Most Streamed International +Domestic Songs Week 29 (16/07/2021-22/07/2021). Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. July 30, 2021.
  31. Web site: Discography Olivia Rodrigo. July 11, 2021. Topplista. April 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210419035053/https://topplista.no/artist/7324/. live.
  32. Web site: RIAS Top Charts. Recording Industry Association Singapore. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210601113017/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/. June 1, 2021. June 3, 2021.
  33. Web site: Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100: 20/08/2021 to 26/08/2021. The Official South African Charts. Recording Industry of South Africa. September 14, 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210908193322/https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/charts/streaming-chart-20-08-2021-to-26-08-2021/. September 8, 2021.
  34. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2021. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 11, 2022.
  35. Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.
  36. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 5, 2021.
  37. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög – 2021. Plötutíðindi. is. May 24, 2022.
  38. Web site: Ireland's official biggest songs of 2021. Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. January 9, 2022. January 9, 2022.
  39. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 2021. Recorded Music NZ. January 24, 2022. January 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124051226/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=5267. live.
  40. Web site: Top 1000 Singles + EPs Digitais: Semanas 01 a 52 de 2021 . pt. Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. May 13, 2022.
  41. Web site: End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2021. Official Charts Company. January 5, 2022.
  42. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  43. Pop Airplay Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 3, 2021.
  44. Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
  45. Web site: Top 40/M Cool New Music. All Access Music Group. registration. March 2, 2022. November 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161130112417/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/cool-new-music. live. Type Olivia Rodrigo in the Search field.
  46. Web site: Olivia Rodrigo's #1-2 Punch On Mediabase Top 40 Chart. All Access. August 9, 2021. August 31, 2021.
  47. Web site: OLIVIA RODRIGO "traitor" | (Radio Date: 17/12/2021).

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Traitor (song)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.