Song meaning of All I Want by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo's song "All I Want" delves into the complexities of love and self-worth, as she navigates through relationships that leave her feeling unfulfilled and questioning her own expectations. In the first verse, she describes a guy who seems perfect on the surface, but is ultimately dishonest and unable to truly understand her needs. This is evident in the lines, "And he's perfect on paper, but he's lying to my face / Does he think that I'm the kinda girl who needs to be saved?" Here, Rodrigo grapples with the idea of being seen as someone who needs fixing, rather than being accepted for who she is.

The chorus of the song highlights Rodrigo's desire for a love that lasts, questioning whether her longing for a genuine connection is too much to ask for. She wonders if there is something wrong with her for wanting a good guy and if her expectations are too high, singing, "All I want is love that lasts / Is all I want too much to ask? / Is it something wrong with me?" These lines reflect her internal struggle with feeling deserving of a healthy and lasting relationship.

In the bridge, Rodrigo reminisces about her younger self who believed in the idea of a perfect love story, but has since realized that finding true happiness and fulfillment in a relationship is not as simple as she once thought. She sings, "And I miss the days when I was young and naive / I thought the perfect guy would come and find me / Now happy ever after, it don't come so easily," conveying a sense of disillusionment and growth in her understanding of love.

Ultimately, "All I Want" is a poignant reflection on self-acceptance and the journey to finding a love that is genuine and lasting. Rodrigo acknowledges that while she may only have herself at the end of the day, she hopes to reach a point where that is enough for her. The song captures the universal longing for connection and the struggle to reconcile one's own desires with the realities of relationships.