Released: 2023
Olivia Rodrigo’s “love is embarrassing” is a raw, heart-on-sleeve anthem that dives deep into the complexities of young love and its often humiliating aftermath. She paints a vivid picture of the emotional rollercoaster that love triggers, blending sincerity with a touch of self-deprecating humor. It’s a track that both laughs at and laments the foolishness we endure in the name of love.
The song kicks off with Olivia confessing how quickly she fell for someone, telling her friends he was “the one” just a month after meeting him. This swift declaration of love leads to embarrassment when he ends up kissing another girl, leaving Olivia to wallow in bed for a week. She uses phrases like “waited by my phone like a goddamn fool” to underline the naivety and the pain of unrequited love, showcasing how love can sometimes make us overlook our worth.
As the story unfolds, Rodrigo details supporting this love interest through his own heartbreak, all while setting herself up for further disappointment. The line “You found a new version of me” signals her attempt to change for him, only to realize it was all in vain—a common folly in love’s cruel game. This realization prompts the repeated refrain, “God, love’s fuckin’ embarrassing,” driving home the theme of humiliation that comes with unreciprocated feelings and the lengths to which we go to win someone’s affection.
The bridge and final chorus of the song see Rodrigo grappling with giving up on love, only to be drawn back into its allure time and again. Through the stark imagery of “planning out my wedding with some guy I’m never marrying,” she captures the absurdity and fantastical nature of being in love, even when it’s clear that it’s going nowhere. This juxtaposition of surrender and hope encapsulates the dizzying cycle that love often is—a blend of giving up and holding on despite the embarrassment it may bring.
In essence, Olivia Rodrigo’s “love is embarrassing” serves as a bittersweet ballad for the lovesick and the love-scorned alike. It’s a musical hug for anyone who has ever felt foolish for falling too hard, too fast, reminding listeners that while love can be deeply embarrassing, it’s also a universal experience that connects us in our most vulnerable moments.
