> At a Glance
> – Olivia Rodrigo marks five years of “Drivers License” with a David Byrne cover
> – Byrne, 73, rewrites lyrics from his perspective and reshapes the production
> – A full series of reimagined SOUR covers is on the way from Rodrigo’s “favorite artists ever”
> – Why it matters: Fans get a fresh, nostalgic twist on the song that defined 2021 and launched Rodrigo’s career
Five years after “Drivers License” first ruled the airwaves, Olivia Rodrigo is flipping the script-letting David Byrne take the wheel on a retooled version that turns teenage heartbreak into elder reflection.
The Byrne Makeover
Byrne’s rendition, released January 8, keeps the core melody but swaps high-school angst for 73-year-old hindsight. He sings, “And you’re probably with that blonde boy / The one that always made me doubt / He’s so much younger than me / Everything I’m insecure about,” flipping Rodrigo’s original lines.
Rodrigo admitted she teared up upon hearing it, calling the Talking Heads icon “nothing short of a legend.”
What’s Next
The track opens a year-long celebration of SOUR’s fifth anniversary. Rodrigo teased:
- A full slate of re-recorded covers is coming
- Each reinterpretation arrives from artists she personally idolizes
- The series continues “insanely strong” after Byrne’s opener
Quick Hits
| Version | Release | Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Byrne cover | Streaming now | 7-inch vinyl also available |
| Original 2021 hit | 8 weeks at #1 | Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance |
| Live collab | Governors Ball 2025 | Byrne & Rodrigo performed “Burning Down the House” |
A limited Target-exclusive tiny vinyl of the original “Drivers License” and its Governors Ball performance joins the anniversary drop.
Key Takeaways
- David Byrne’s age-flipped “Drivers License” cover launches Rodrigo’s SOUR-5 celebration
- The reimagined series promises more high-profile artists reworking the 2021 album
- Fans can stream Byrne’s version or grab a collectible 7-inch vinyl
Rodrigo summed up the milestone simply: “Happy birthday DL.”
