"Lacy"
Song by Olivia Rodrigo
from the album Guts
ReleasedSeptember 8, 2023 (2023-09-08)
Studio
GenreFolk-pop
Length2:57
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Dan Nigro
Lyric video
"Lacy" on YouTube

"Lacy" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo from her second studio album, Guts (2023). Rodrigo wrote it with its producer, Dan Nigro. The song became available as the album's fourth track on September 8, 2023, when it was released by Geffen Records. A folk-pop song in the vein of her debut studio album, Sour (2021), "Lacy" chronicles Rodrigo's obsession over the beauty of a female figure whom she addresses by the same name and her resulting envy and self-hatred.

The real life identity of "Lacy" has been a subject of speculation among fans as well as critics. The song has received critical analysis about the potential LGBT implications in its lyrics. Rodrigo has stated it originated from a poem she wrote for a class assignment. "Lacy" reached the top 30 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States and entered the charts in some other countries. Rodrigo performed the song at the Grammy Museum and the Bluebird Café.

Background

After the commercial success of her debut studio album, Sour (2021),[1] Olivia Rodrigo continued collaborating with Dan Nigro, who had produced all of the tracks on it.[2] The follow-up album, Guts (2023), was conceived when she was aged 19, a year that she described as "lots of confusion, mistakes, awkwardness & good old fashioned teen angst".[3] The album and its title were announced on June 26, 2023, and its lead single, "Vampire", was released four days later.[4][5] The song reached number one in various countries,[6][7] including the United States, where it became her third number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.[8] "Bad Idea Right?" was chosen as the follow-up single.[9]

Rodrigo wrote "Lacy" with Nigro.[10] She detailed her inspiration to Linda Perry before performing an acoustic version of it at the Grammy Museum: "I took a poetry class at USC last year. I've always been really interested in poetry… And so I took this class, and it was amazing. I wrote this poem called 'Lacy,' about this sort of all-encompassing envy that I was feeling, for one of the assignments in class. It was like a homework assignment. And I loved it so much that I turned into this song. It's one of my favorites. I just remember I was sitting at my kitchen counter and I wrote, 'Lacy, oh Lacy, skin like puff pastry…' And I was like, oh, that's interesting, and finished off the poem and turned it into a song."[11]

On August 1, 2023, she revealed Guts's tracklist, which features "Lacy" as the fourth track.[12] The song became available for digital download on the album, which was released on September 8, 2023.[13] Rodrigo did not reveal who the subject of its lyrics was. Following the release of "Lacy", it garnered attention due to the mysterious character of its subject matter. When asked about the inspiration, Rodrigo responded: "All my songs are about me and about how I feel, I don't know!"[14] On September 29, she performed the song at the Bluebird Café.[15]

Composition

"Lacy" is two minutes and 57 seconds long.[13] It was recorded at Amusement Studios in Los Angeles and Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Nigro provided production and vocal production, and he engineered the song with Dani Perez and Chris Kasych. He plays drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, and synthesizer. Mitch McCarthy mixed the song at the Wheelhouse Studios in Vancouver, and Randy Merrill mastered it at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, New Jersey.[10]

"Lacy" keeps the "finger-picked folk-pop [sound] that popped up a few times on Sour" according to Billboard's Jason Lipshutz. The song's lyrics emphasize Rodrigo experiencing jealousy and envy as she delivers her vocals with a "scornful whisper".[16] She describes a female figure called Lacy, who has "skin like puff pastry" and "eyes white as daisies". Rodrigo continues complimenting her during the second verse, calling her "sexy" and referring to her as a "Bardot reincarnate" in reference to French actress Brigitte Bardot. She initially sings in a sarcastic tone and goes on to detail being tortured by her obsession and constant thoughts about Lacy.[17] Rodrigo confesses to experiencing self-hatred due to her envy towards its climax: "I just loathe you lately / And I despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you / Yeah, I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you."[18] Time's Moises Mendez II likened the song's lyrical theme to Dolly Parton's 1973 single "Jolene".[19]

The real identity of "Lacy" has been a subject of speculation, with fans suggesting the song might be about Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter. Time's Moises Mendez II noted the positive descriptors used for Lacy, including the Bardot comparison, as potential references to Swift.[18][19] The plausible LGBT implications of the lyrics also received critical analysis; Out's Bernardo Sim and Pride's Rachel Kiley believed the song could be about Rodrigo's romantic attraction to a woman.[20][21]

Reception

In a ranking of all songs on Guts, Lipshutz placed "Lacy" at number 12 and stated: "The morphing lyrics of the chorus represent the songwriting triumph here, with Rodrigo swapping out the majority of the lines of the first hook as she continues describing the desperation of her envy."[16] In a negative review, Poppie Platt of The Daily Telegraph thought the song was "downright bad" and criticized the lyric comparing Lacy's skin to puff pastry: "Admittedly, it's been eight years since I could call myself a teenager, so I might be out of the doom-loop of angst, but since when was the best way to describe a beautiful face as possessing the sheen of a sausage roll?"[22] Some commented on the speculation it is about Swift. Writing for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica stated: "From a young star who's had what appears to be frosty relations with Swift, [...] it reads like the bruise from a door slammed shut in her face".[23] Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield anticipated Rodrigo singing the words "I try, I try, I try" would not help dispel the rumors.[24] Chris Willman and Steven J. Horowitz placed the song at number six on Variety's list of the best songs of 2023.[25]

Commercial performance

"Lacy" debuted at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[26] The song peaked at number 24 on the Canadian Hot 100.[27] In the United Kingdom, it charted at number 26 on the Official Audio Streaming Chart and number 24 on Billboard.[28][29] In Australia, "Lacy" reached number 25.[30] The song peaked at number 16 in New Zealand.[31] It charted at number 20 on the Billboard Global 200 .[32] Elsewhere, "Lacy" reached national record charts, at number 18 in Ireland,[33] number 52 in Portugal,[34] and number 65 in Greece.[35]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Guts.[10]

  • Dan Nigro – producer, songwriter, drums, engineer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vocal producer, bass, synthesizer
  • Olivia Rodrigo – songwriter
  • Dani Perez – engineer
  • Chris Kasych – engineer
  • Austen Healey – assistant recording engineer
  • Randy Merrill – mastering
  • Mitch McCarthy – mixing

Charts

Chart positions for "Lacy"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[30] 25
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[27] 24
Global 200 (Billboard)[32] 20
Greece (IFPI)[35] 65
Ireland (Billboard)[33] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 16
Portugal (AFP)[34] 52
UK (Billboard)[29] 24
UK Streaming (OCC)[28] 26
US Billboard Hot 100[26] 23

References

  1. ↑ Blistein, Jon (June 13, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Is Finally Ready to Release New Music". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ Unterberger, Andrew (February 23, 2022). "Woman of the Year Olivia Rodrigo Is Writing New Music (and Reuniting with a Big Collaborator)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  3. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (June 26, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces Sophomore Album Guts: Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (June 26, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces Sophomore Album, Guts, Coming in September". Variety. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ Denis, Kyle (June 21, 2023). "Fans Think Olivia Rodrigo Shared a Snippet of New Song 'Vampire': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. ↑ Brandle, Lars (July 7, 2023). "Taylor Swift Sets Chart Record in Australia with Top-Five Sweep". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of July 15, 2023". Billboard. July 11, 2023. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ Trust, Gary (July 10, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'Vampire' Debuts as Her Third Billboard Hot 100 No. 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (August 7, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces Next Guts Single 'Bad Idea Right?': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Geffen Records (2023). Guts (Media notes). Olivia Rodrigo.
  11. ↑ Willman, Chris (October 4, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Talks with Linda Perry, Sings Fan Favorite 'Lacy' in Grammy Museum Appearance". Variety. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  12. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (August 1, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Unveils Guts Tracklist: 'All American B—h,' 'Get Him Back' & More Song Titles". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Rodrigo, Olivia (September 8, 2023). "Guts". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ Denis, Kyle (September 19, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Her Favorite Guts Lyric & Addresses Who 'Lacy' Is About". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  15. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (September 30, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Performs 'If It Makes You Happy' with Sheryl Crow, Debuts 'Lacy' & 'Making the Bed' Live". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Lipshutz, Jason (September 8, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo's Guts: All 12 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  17. ↑ Wood, Becca (September 19, 2023). "Who Is Olivia Rodrigo's Song 'Lacy' About? Watch Her Answer". Today. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  18. 1 2 Armstrong, Megan (September 11, 2023). "Who Is 'Lacy' About on Olivia Rodrigo's Guts Album?". Uproxx. Archived from the original on September 12, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  19. 1 2 Mendez II, Moises (September 8, 2023). "Why Everyone's Debating the Meaning of Olivia Rodrigo's New Song 'Lacy'". Time. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  20. ↑ Sim, Bernardo (September 8, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo's New Song 'Lacy' Has Fans Thinking She's Coming Out". Out. Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  21. ↑ Kiley, Rachel (September 8, 2023). "Is Olivia Rodrigo's New Song 'Lacy' Queer?". Pride. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  22. ↑ Platt, Poppie (September 8, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo, Guts, Review: Sugar-Coated Girl-Power That Goes Down a Little Too Easily". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  23. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (September 8, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Has Seen the World Now, and She's Livid". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  24. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (September 8, 2023). "Olivia Rodrigo Crushes the Expectations and Delivers Another Witty, Pissed-Off Classic". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  25. ↑ Willman, Chris; J. Horowitz, Steven (December 28, 2023). "The Best Songs of 2023". Variety. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  27. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  29. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (U.K. Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  30. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 18, 2023. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  31. 1 2 "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 18, 2023. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  32. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  33. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Ireland Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  34. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo – Lacy". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  35. 1 2 "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
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