Olivia Rodrigo Reacts Emotionally to David Byrne’s Rendition of “Drivers License” as the Song Marks Five Years
By Website Content Manager
Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Rodrigo revealed plans for a forthcoming collection of newly interpreted SOUR tracks performed by some of her all-time favorite musicians.
It’s hard to believe that Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout single “Drivers License” has officially reached its five-year milestone.
To commemorate the anniversary of the chart-dominating track, the 22-year-old singer shared a newly released cover of the song by David Byrne on Thursday, Jan. 8. Alongside the release, Rodrigo reflected on the creation of the emotional ballad through a series of thoughtful Instagram posts.
Byrne’s interpretation brings a fresh perspective to the song, featuring altered production and revised lyrics that reflect his experience as a 73-year-old artist. In his version, he reimagines the narrative through an older lens, singing lines that acknowledge age-related insecurities and shifting the emotional context of the original lyrics.
Rodrigo explained that Byrne’s cover marks the first release in a larger project celebrating the fifth anniversary of her debut album SOUR. In an Instagram post, she shared her excitement about an upcoming collection of SOUR tracks reworked by artists she deeply admires.
She went on to praise Byrne, calling him one of her lifelong inspirations, and revealed that hearing his version of “Drivers License” moved her to tears. According to Rodrigo, launching the series with Byrne’s reinterpretation felt especially meaningful given his legendary status in music.
Fans can now stream Byrne’s cover or purchase a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl, which also includes a joint performance of “Burning Down the House” recorded at the 2025 Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City. Rodrigo also released a Target-exclusive miniature vinyl featuring the original studio recording of “Drivers License” along with her live Governors Ball performance.
“I’m beyond excited,” Rodrigo wrote, encouraging fans to listen to the new release.
Originally released in January 2021 as the lead single from SOUR, “Drivers License” quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Fueled by public speculation about a rumored love triangle involving Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Joshua Bassett, the song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and held the position for eight consecutive weeks.
The track went on to earn Rodrigo a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, as well as MTV Video Music Awards for Song of the Year and Push Performance of the Year.
In a separate Instagram post, Rodrigo shared throwback photos from the time surrounding the song’s release and reflected on its lasting impact. She joked that she looked much younger in the images, noting how both distant and recent the moment felt.
The singer credited “Drivers License” with profoundly shaping her life and career, expressing gratitude for the chapter it opened. She closed her message by looking ahead to future concerts, saying she can’t wait to keep singing the song alongside fans for years to come, and wishing the track a happy fifth birthday.
