“Traitor” by Olivia Rodrigo - song meaning and lyrics
Olivia Rodrigo's captivating and heart-wrenching song "Traitor" has captured the imagination and empathy of listeners worldwide. While on the surface the lyrics seem to evoke the personal pain and betrayal of heartbreak, what if I were to say there's a deeper thread running through the narrative? One that has its roots in ancient alchemy and its pursuit of the Magnum Opus - the Great Work of self-transformation? Sound intriguing? Buckle up as we embark on an unexpected, imaginative, and mystical journey through the twists and turns of Olivia Rodrigo's "Traitor."
The song's opening lines, "Brown guilty eyes and little white lies," immediately establish the duality of guilt and innocence, an echo of the alchemical principal of solving et coagula – dissolving and coming together. The protagonist's journey through heartbreak reflects the alchemist's initiation into the secrets of transmutation and refining the raw material of emotions into the gold of self-awareness.
As the lyrics unfold, a third character appears, representing the catalyst for the transformation. "The second that we called it quits" implies a departure from the comfort of the known relationship, like the alchemist separating the initial elements to facilitate the formation of higher, purer substance.
The journey takes a more painful turn as the protagonist realizes the extent of the betrayal, with lyrics like "You talked to her when we were together." This moment can be compared to the nigredo, or blackening stage in alchemy, where impurities are burned away, and the heartbroken protagonist faces the dark and uncomfortable reality of the situation.
As the story progresses, the main character moves into the next stage of transformation - the albedo, or the whitening stage. The lines "It took you two weeks to go off and date her" suggest the rapidity of change in the ex-partner's life. By recognizing the shallowness of the ex-partner's actions and decisions, the protagonist distances herself from him and starts the process of healing and refining her own emotional landscape.
The introduction of the new partner ("Show her off like she's a new trophy") further emphasizes the depth of betrayal experienced by the protagonist. It is within the context of this emotional turmoil that a subtle musical reference comes into play - the echo of ABBA's classic "The Winner Takes It All." Both songs share a common theme of heartbreak and loss. It is as if the protagonist is connecting with the universal resonance of unrequited love through this musical juxtaposition.
The song builds towards the concluding lyrics "Yeah, you're still a traitor, God I wish that you had thought this through, Before I went and fell in love with you." This signifies the protagonist's entry into the final stage of the alchemical transformation – the rubedo, or red stage, in which the purified essence is revealed, strong and ready for integration with the higher Self. The protagonist asserts her independent identity through the rejection of the traitor, reaching a newfound sense of self-awareness and growth.
As we examine Olivia Rodrigo's "Traitor" through this creative lens, we uncover a profound, transformative narrative reflecting not only the individual's heartbreak but also the universal theme of metamorphosis. The protagonist's journey from emotional pain to self-awareness echoes the sacred process of alchemy and self-realization.
So next time you listen to "Traitor," consider the intricate layers of meaning hidden within the emotive lyrics and melodies, and perhaps you, too, will be empowered to embark on the Great Work of transformation.
