Slow and Happy: A Song Mood Review

Olivia Rodrigo has identified Video Games, the debut single by Lana Del Rey, as one of her favorite tragic love songs. The revelation comes as Rodrigo prepares for the release of her upcoming album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.

The singer’s appreciation for the 2011 track highlights a thematic connection to her new body of work. Rodrigo has previously described the new record as consisting of sad love songs, suggesting a focus on emotional vulnerability and heartbreak.

Influence and New Material

The upcoming album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, appears to lean into a more experimental direction than her previous releases. This shift in sound and tone aligns with the atmospheric, downtempo quality of tracks like Del Rey’s Video Games.

Rodrigo has also revealed that her new music draws inspiration from unexpected sources. During an appearance on The Tonight Show, she told Jimmy Fallon that multiple songs on the forthcoming album were inspired by the relationship between Miranda Hobbs and Steve Brady from the HBO series Sex and the City.

Among these tracks, the first single, Drop Dead, is specifically noted as being influenced by the couple. The song has already seen significant commercial success, debuting at number one on the Hot 100.

Career Context and Trajectory

This era marks a transition for Rodrigo, who has noted that the new album explores her first big girl relationship. This more mature thematic approach is reflected in her choice of musical touchstones and her public discussions regarding the emotional weight of the record.

The timing of these reveals coincides with a high-profile series of appearances. Rodrigo recently attended the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 15, 2026, and has been in rehearsals for a dual role as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

By citing Lana Del Rey’s work, Rodrigo connects her current creative direction to the Hollywood Sadcore aesthetic that Del Rey pioneered. Video Games, known for its minimal instrumentation and baroque pop influence, serves as a blueprint for the kind of tragic romanticism Rodrigo is exploring in her latest project.