Making the Bed
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Making the Bed
| border = yes
| type = song
| artist = Olivia Rodrigo
| album = Guts
| released = {{Start date|2023|9|8}}
| studio =
- Amusement (Los Angeles)
- Electric Lady (New York City)
| genre = Pop
| length = 3:18
| label = Geffen
| writer =
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Dan Nigro
| producer = Dan Nigro
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|OuuBnf2aGCc|"Making the Bed"}}}}
}}
"Making the Bed" (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 sixth track on September 8, 2023, when it was released by Geffen Records. A pop song which incorporates piano, guitars, synthesizers, and percussion and evokes dream pop, "Making the Bed" has introspective lyrics which feature Rodrigo reflecting on her flaws and attempting to persevere in spite of them, as it explores her disillusionment with fame and recurring dreams.
Music critics were divided about whether it was one of the better tracks on Guts but welcomed the display of personal accountability and maturity in its lyrics. The song reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States and entered the charts in some other countries. Rodrigo performed it at the Bluebird Café, at the Grammy Museum, and during a Tiny Desk concert. She included "Making the Bed" on the set list of her 2024 concert tour, the Guts World Tour.
Background and release
File:OlivaRO2150524 (32) (53727178796) (cropped).jpg performing "Making the Bed" on the Guts World Tour in May 2024|alt=Olivia Rodrigo laying down during a performance]]
Olivia Rodrigo's debut studio album, Sour (2021), was released in May 2021,{{Cite web|last=Hess|first=Liam|date=May 25, 2021|title=Olivia Rodrigo on Her Breakout Year, Brand-New Album—And What Comes Next|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/olivia-rodrigo-interview-sour-album|url-status=live|access-date=May 26, 2021|website=Vogue|language=en-US|archive-date=May 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526182353/https://www.vogue.com/article/olivia-rodrigo-interview-sour-album}}{{Cite web|last=Carras|first=Christi|date=May 21, 2021|title=Olivia Rodrigo Does Not Miss. All These Sour Reviews Are Here to Prove It|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-05-21/olivia-rodrigo-sour-review-roundup-album|access-date=May 22, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521233053/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-05-21/olivia-rodrigo-sour-review-roundup-album|url-status=live |url-access=limited}} following which she decided to take a break from songwriting for six months.{{Cite magazine |last=Tolentino |first=Jia |author-link=Jia Tolentino |date=July 6, 2023 |title=A New Decade, A New Album, A New Life—Olivia Rodrigo's Next Chapter |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/olivia-rodrigo-august-cover-2023-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706181410/https://www.vogue.com/article/olivia-rodrigo-august-cover-2023-interview |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2023 |magazine=Vogue}} She felt pressure to conform to people's expectations, which led her to make questionable decisions and date people she believed she should not have.{{cite web |last=Puckett-Pope |first=Lauren |title=Olivia Rodrigo's 'Get Him Back!' Lyrics Convey a Clever Contradiction About Exes |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a45051980/olivia-rodrigo-get-him-back-song-lyrics/ |website=Elle |access-date=September 9, 2023 |date=September 9, 2023 |archive-date=September 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910014433/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a45051980/olivia-rodrigo-get-him-back-song-lyrics/ |url-status=live }} Rodrigo conceived the follow-up album, Guts (2023), at the age of 19, while experiencing "lots of confusion, mistakes, awkwardness and good old fashioned teen angst".{{cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |title=Olivia Rodrigo Announces Sophomore Album Guts: Here's When It Arrives |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-new-album-guts-release-date-1235361481/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626171040/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-new-album-guts-release-date-1235361481/ |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |date=June 26, 2023 |url-status=live}} Dan Nigro returned to produce every single track on Guts,{{cite AV media notes|title=Guts|others=Olivia Rodrigo|year=2023|author=Geffen Records}} which was created over 10 months, with songwriting and recording consuming the first eight and the final two being used for mixing and fine-tuning. After completing a set of gleeful and up-tempo songs for the album, Rodrigo and Nigro decided to create something more serious.{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |title=Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro Use Intimate Storytelling Show in L.A. to Recall the 'Toil and Jubilation' of Making Guts: 'I Was Really Scared' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-dan-nigro-guts-intimate-conversation-amex-1235750784/ |website=Variety |access-date=July 28, 2024 |date=October 10, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101212108/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-dan-nigro-guts-intimate-conversation-amex-1235750784/ }}
Rodrigo and Nigro wrote the song "Making the Bed" in New York, inspired by Rodrigo's belief that she was placing herself in situations or with people that did not bring her true happiness and peace, which reflected the album's general theme of taking self-responsibility and dealing with difficult relationships. She reflected on the self-doubt caused by her shifting priorities after becoming famous at the age of 19, feeling full of energy and enthusiasm but also being overwhelmed by the many fascinating people, exciting opportunities, and glamorous new experiences the industry offered her.{{cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |title='I Had All These Feelings of Rage I Couldn't Express': Olivia Rodrigo on Overnight Pop Superstardom, Plagiarism and Growing Up in Public |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/02/olivia-rodrigo-overnight-pop-superstardom-plagiarism-growing-up-in-public |website=The Guardian |access-date=July 28, 2024 |date=September 2, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217033142/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/02/olivia-rodrigo-overnight-pop-superstardom-plagiarism-growing-up-in-public }} Of more than 100 songs written for it, Rodrigo included the more rock-oriented tracks on the album because they drew a bigger reaction from her audiences during live shows.{{cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |title=Olivia Rodrigo Interview: 'I've Got a Few Heartbreaks Left in Me' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66681334 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=July 8, 2024 |date=September 13, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225200609/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66681334 }}
Rodrigo announced the album title on June 26, 2023, and its lead single, "Vampire", was released four days later.{{Cite magazine |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |title=Olivia Rodrigo Announces Sophomore Album, Guts, Coming in September |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-new-album-guts-1235654585/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626163341/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-new-album-guts-1235654585/ |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |date=June 26, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Denis |first=Kyle |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Fans Think Olivia Rodrigo Shared a Snippet of New Song 'Vampire': Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/olivia-rodrigo-vampire-snippet-listen-1235358628/ |access-date=June 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622212315/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/olivia-rodrigo-vampire-snippet-listen-1235358628/ |url-status=live }} On August 1, 2023, she revealed Guts{{'}}s tracklist, which features "Making the Bed" as the sixth track.{{cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |title=Olivia Rodrigo Unveils Guts Tracklist: 'All American B—h,' 'Get Him Back' and More Song Titles |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-guts-tracklist-song-titles-1235382915/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 1, 2023 |date=August 1, 2023 |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802223558/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-guts-tracklist-song-titles-1235382915/ |url-status=live }} The song became available for digital download on the album, which was released on September 8, 2023.{{Cite web|last=Rodrigo|first=Olivia|date=September 8, 2023|title=Guts|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/guts/1694386825|publisher=Apple Music (US)|access-date=June 30, 2023|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630135703/https://music.apple.com/us/album/guts/1694386825|url-status=live}} Its lyric video included an easter egg indicating that Rodrigo would tour in support of the album before one was officially announced.{{cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |title=Olivia Rodrigo Appears to Tease Guts World Tour in Lyric Video: Fans React |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-teases-guts-tour-lyric-video-fans-react-1235408840/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908195215/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-teases-guts-tour-lyric-video-fans-react-1235408840/ |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |date=September 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Thania |last2=Shafer |first2=Ellise |title=Olivia Rodrigo Adds Asia and Australia Legs to Guts World Tour |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-tour-guts-1235721001/ |website=Variety |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509023621/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-tour-guts-1235721001/ |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |date=May 8, 2024 |url-status=live}} On September 29, Rodrigo performed it on a piano at the Bluebird Café.{{cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |title=Olivia Rodrigo Performs 'If It Makes You Happy' with Sheryl Crow, Debuts 'Lacy' and 'Making the Bed' Live |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-if-it-makes-you-happy-sheryl-crow-lacy-making-the-bed-live-1235429847/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 22, 2023 |date=September 30, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008135407/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-if-it-makes-you-happy-sheryl-crow-lacy-making-the-bed-live-1235429847/ }} She reprised "Making the Bed" on a piano at the Grammy Museum on October 4, 2023.{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |title=Olivia Rodrigo Talks with Linda Perry, Sings Fan Favorite 'Lacy' in Grammy Museum Appearance |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-grammy-museum-linda-perry-conversation-guts-lacy-1235745150/ |website=Variety |access-date=October 22, 2023 |date=October 4, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012123626/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-grammy-museum-linda-perry-conversation-guts-lacy-1235745150/ }} Rodrigo sang the song during a Tiny Desk concert in December 2023.{{cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Olivia Rodrigo Rocks NPR's 'Tiny Desk' with Moving Guts Set |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/olivia-rodrigo-npr-tiny-desk-guts-1235549347/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211132454/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/olivia-rodrigo-npr-tiny-desk-guts-1235549347/ |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |date=December 11, 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |title=Olivia Rodrigo Spills Her Guts All Over NPR's Tiny Desk |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-guts-npr-tiny-desk-1234923149/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 8, 2024 |date=December 11, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211161253/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-guts-npr-tiny-desk-1234923149/ |url-access=subscription }}{{cite web |last=Cills |first=Hazel |title=Olivia Rodrigo: Tiny Desk Concert |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/11/1217040166/olivia-rodrigo-tiny-desk-concert |publisher=NPR |access-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211101436/https://www.npr.org/2023/12/11/1217040166/olivia-rodrigo-tiny-desk-concert |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |date=December 11, 2023 |url-status=live}} It was included on the set list of her 2024 concert tour, the Guts World Tour.{{cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |title=Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour Setlist: All the Songs She Performed Opening Night |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/olivia-rodrigo-guts-tour-setlist/bad-idea-right-2/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 8, 2024 |date=February 24, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709125025/https://www.billboard.com/lists/olivia-rodrigo-guts-tour-setlist/bad-idea-right-2/ }} Lying on her back on a platform, Rodrigo sings "Making the Bed" with organ instrumentation and purple lights while people in the audience shine their cellphone lights. It is one of the few gentle songs in the set, which rock-influenced pop songs mostly dominate.{{cite web |last=Sengupta Stith |first=Deborah |title=Olivia Rodrigo's Riot Pop Releases Righteous Rage as Guts Tour Hits Austin's Moody Center |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/29/olivia-rodrigo-proves-shes-a-bonafide-rock-star-at-the-moody-center/72330487007/ |website=Austin American-Statesman |access-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812151634/https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/29/olivia-rodrigo-proves-shes-a-bonafide-rock-star-at-the-moody-center/72330487007/ |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |date=February 29, 2024 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=McCollum |first=Brian |title=Olivia Rodrigo Delivers Edgy Pop Master Class at Sold-out Little Caesars Arena in Detroit |url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2024/03/24/olivia-rodrigo-detroit-little-caesars-arena-review-photos/73084103007/ |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812145020/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/brian-mccollum/2024/03/24/olivia-rodrigo-detroit-little-caesars-arena-review-photos/73084103007/ |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |date=March 24, 2024 |url-status=live}}
Composition
{{Listen
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| title = "Making the Bed"
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| description = "Making the Bed" prominently features synth drones and gentle guitars, evoking the sound of dream pop. Its melody was compared to Kate Bush's 1978 single "Wuthering Heights".
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"Making the Bed" is three minutes and 18 seconds long. Nigro handled production and vocal production, and he engineered it with Dani Perez and the assistant Austen Healey. Nigro plays guitar, piano, bass, synthesizer, and drum programming; Sam Stewart plays guitar; and Ryan Linvill plays saxophone. Serban Ghenea mixed the song at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with assistance from Bryce Bordone, and Randy Merrill mastered it. Recording took place at Amusement Studios in Los Angeles and Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
"Making the Bed" begins as a melancholic pop ballad and later prominently features synth drones and gentle guitars, evoking the sound of dream pop.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Matthew|date=September 8, 2023|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/olivia-rodrigo-guts-promises-resuscitation-dying-ecosystem|title=Olivia Rodrigo: Guts Review - A New Pop Star for a New Era|work=The Line of Best Fit|accessdate=September 28, 2023|archive-date=September 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908163214/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/olivia-rodrigo-guts-promises-resuscitation-dying-ecosystem|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Lisa |title=Olivia Rodrigo — Guts |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/olivia-rodrigo-guts |website=DIY |access-date=July 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908065630/https://diymag.com/review/album/olivia-rodrigo-guts |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |date=September 8, 2023 |url-status=live}} The song's production has been described as hazy.{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Helen|date=September 8, 2023|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review-b2407232.html|title=Olivia Rodrigo, Guts Review: Even Angrier, Wittier and Rockier than Her Excellent Debut|website=The Independent|access-date=September 11, 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=September 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911013918/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review-b2407232.html}}{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=September 11, 2023 |title=Review: Olivia Rodrigo Spills Her Guts on a Bubble-gum Rock Masterpiece |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-09-11/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-review |access-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-date=September 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917223306/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-09-11/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-review |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} According to The Independent{{'}}s Helen Brown, its melody is reminiscent of Kate Bush's 1978 single "Wuthering Heights" and the intimate and slow-paced tone recalls the work of Taylor Swift. Amidst glimmering guitars, a sorrowful piano melody, steady percussion, echoing guitar fuzz, subtle keyboard tones, and the wistful twang of a reverb-laden electric guitar, Rodrigo expresses her sorrow, her voice quivering with remorse.{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|date=September 8, 2023|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/08/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review|title=Oliva Rodrigo: Guts Review: Dramatic Dispatches from the Dark Side of Youth|website=The Guardian|access-date=September 8, 2023|archive-date=September 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908070413/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/08/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review|url-status=live}} Melissa Ruggieri of USA Today wrote that the "sumptuous melody escalates into a fury of guitars".{{cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |title=Olivia Rodrigo's Guts Is a No-skip Album but These 2 Songs Are the Best of the Bunch |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/09/08/olivia-rodrigo-guts-best-songs-album-review/70777705007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908050345/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/09/08/olivia-rodrigo-guts-best-songs-album-review/70777705007/ |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |date=September 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}
"Making the Bed" features Rodrigo reflecting on her flaws and attempting to persevere in spite of them, as it explores her disillusionment with fame and a recurring dream which is caused by her anxiety.{{cite web |last=Prance |first=Sam |date=September 8, 2023 |title=Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Heartbreaking Meaning Behind Her 'Making the Bed' Lyrics |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/olivia-rodrigo/making-the-bed-lyrics-meaning/ |publisher=Capital |access-date=August 10, 2024 |archive-date=August 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830074250/https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/olivia-rodrigo/making-the-bed-lyrics-meaning/ |url-status=live }} Through the lens of a young adult grappling with the realities of fame, Rodrigo reflects on the challenges of growing up and the consequences of achieving her dreams.{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |title=Olivia Rodrigo's Guts: All 12 Songs Ranked |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-songs-ranked-review/making-the-bed/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 8, 2023 |date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918104443/https://www.billboard.com/lists/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-songs-ranked-review/get-him-back/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Ilana |title=Olivia Rodrigo Graduates to Fully Formed Rock Star on Guts |url=https://www.spin.com/2023/09/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-review/ |website=Spin |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=September 11, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913193632/https://www.spin.com/2023/09/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-review/ }} She experiences self-doubt upon realizing that she is acting older than her age and attempts to hide and "pull the sheets over my head". The song portrays her feelings of being a Hollywood misfit, as she admits to leaving old friends behind, partying with a new crowd, and pushing away the people who knew her better.{{cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield |title=Every Olivia Rodrigo Song, Ranked |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/every-olivia-rodrigo-song-ranked-1234821374/making-the-bed-1234822183/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=September 13, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709125047/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertagids&topUrl=www.rollingstone.com&gpp=DBABBg~BUoAAAJY.QA&gpp_sid=8 }} She believes these new friends are not reliable, describing them as "fair weather friends".{{cite web |last=Olson |first=Samantha |title=Olivia Rodrigo Grapples with Her Rise to Fame in 'Making the Bed' Lyrics |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a45050426/olivia-rodrigo-making-the-bed-lyrics-meaning/ |website=Cosmopolitan |access-date=August 10, 2024 |date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407214806/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a45050426/olivia-rodrigo-making-the-bed-lyrics-meaning/ |url-status=live }} Though people tell Rodrigo they love her, she perceives this as superficial and compares it to how someone would admire a tourist attraction.{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=John |title=Olivia Rodrigo – Guts |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/olivia-rodrigo-guts |website=MusicOMH |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=September 8, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914213102/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/olivia-rodrigo-guts }} Rodrigo then recounts a recurring dream of her driving a car without brakes.{{cite web |last=Gibson |first=Kelsie |title=Olivia Rodrigo's Guts Lyrics Explained: A Guide to All the Songs on Her New Album |url=https://people.com/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-lyrics-explained-7967550 |website=People |access-date=September 9, 2023 |date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909121033/https://people.com/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-lyrics-explained-7967550 |url-status=live }} Despite attaining what she once desired, she realizes that fame has brought more turmoil than fulfillment: "I got the things I wanted / It's just not what I imagined."{{cite web|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Caramanica|date=September 8, 2023|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/arts/music/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review.html|title=Olivia Rodrigo Has Seen the World Now, and She's Livid|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=September 13, 2023|url-access=limited|archive-date=September 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914023839/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/08/arts/music/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review.html|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
Some critics praised the lyricism of "Making the Bed" while others were less enthusiastic. The Guardian{{'}}s Laura Snapes considered the song a standout on Guts. Likewise, Ruggieri named it one of the two best songs on the album and believed it succeeded due to Rodrigo's authenticity, without which it could have come across as "whiny". Gabriel Saulog of Billboard Philippines thought "Making the Bed" showcased the best songwriting among all the tracks and was one of the most serious compositions she had ever created.{{cite web |last=Saulog |first=Gabriel |title=Olivia Rodrigo's Guts Is a Teenage Triumph — A Track-By-Track Review |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/music/reviews/olivia-rodrigos-guts-is-a-teenage-triumph-a-track-by-track-review/ |website=Billboard Philippines |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302063502/https://billboardphilippines.com/music/reviews/olivia-rodrigos-guts-is-a-teenage-triumph-a-track-by-track-review/ |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |date=September 29, 2023 |url-status=live}} Punch Liwanag of the Manila Bulletin compared the songwriting to Swift and named it as a reflective track where Rodrigo delved into her inner thoughts.{{cite web |last=Liwanag |first=Punch |title=Olivia Rodrigo Strikes Pop-rock Nerve on Guts |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/10/audiojunkie-olivia-rodrigo-strikes-pop-rock-nerve-on-guts |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031201803/https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/10/audiojunkie-olivia-rodrigo-strikes-pop-rock-nerve-on-guts |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |date=September 11, 2023 |url-status=live}} On the other hand, The Australian{{'}}s Jules LeFevre believed "Making the Bed" was forgettable, and The Wall Street Journal{{'}}s Mark Richardson said it was a tad overly sweet and sentimental.{{cite web |last=LeFevre |first=Jules |title=One of Pop Music's Biggest and Newest Stars Makes a Gutsy Return |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/album-review-fatalism-by-polaris-a-potent-farewell-to-guitarist-ryan-siew/news-story/1f3968a20c1dbc21024541ee7239c0f5 |website=The Australian |access-date=August 15, 2024 |date=September 16, 2023 |url-access=subscription|id={{ProQuest|2864681965}}}}{{cite web |last=Richardson |first=Mark |title=Guts by Olivia Rodrigo Review: Pop's Princess Rocks Out |url=https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/guts-by-olivia-rodrigo-review-pops-princess-rocks-out-b98b380c |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230912164631/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/guts-by-olivia-rodrigo-review-pops-princess-rocks-out-b98b380c |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |date=September 11, 2023 |url-status=live}} Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic considered it overly maudlin, generic, and one of the ballads where Rodrigo's straightforwardness can be vexing.{{cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |title=The Problem Olivia Rodrigo Can't Solve |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/09/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review/675260/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908153522/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/09/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review/675260/ |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |date=September 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}
Music critics viewed Rodrigo taking accountability in the lyrics of "Making the Bed" positively. Sputnikmusic{{'}}s Sowing and Rolling Stone{{'}}s Larisha Paul highlighted it as an introspective song.{{cite web |author=Sowing |title=Olivia Rodrigo — Guts |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/87553/Olivia-Rodrigo-Guts/ |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=September 9, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709125025/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/87553/Olivia-Rodrigo-Guts/ }} Lucas Martins of Beats Per Minute believed the song was a rare instance on Guts where she contemplated her life in showbusiness, bringing a sense of realism that is less common in her other work.{{cite web |last=Martins |first=Lucas |title=Olivia Rodrigo — Guts |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-olivia-rodrigo-guts/ |website=Beats Per Minute |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=September 13, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228033934/https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-olivia-rodrigo-guts/ }} Writing for Variety, Chris Willman thought that "Making the Bed" potentially marked Rodrigo's most significant step toward a mature self-awareness on the album, as a track that shifted away from seeking retribution or placing blame and instead acknowledged that she is facing consequences of her own choices.{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |title=Olivia Rodrigo Sends Teendom Off with a Bang in Guts, a Record That's as Much Brash Fun as the First One: Album Review |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/album-reviews/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-review-1235717232/ |website=Variety |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=September 7, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206195915/https://variety.com/2023/music/album-reviews/olivia-rodrigo-guts-album-review-1235717232/ }} Heather Phares of AllMusic opined that the song showcased an increase in her wisdom and injected a refreshing sense of self-awareness into the catharsis of "Drivers License".{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|date=September 15, 2023|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/guts-mw0004033993|title=Guts — Olivia Rodrigo|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=September 15, 2023|archive-date=September 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917151553/https://www.allmusic.com/album/guts-mw0004033993|url-status=live}}
Critics commented on the production and Rodrigo's vocal performance on "Making the Bed". DIY{{'}}s Lisa Wright thought it was one of the few ballads on Guts that she did not manage to infuse with enough bold energy to seamlessly connect it with the more upbeat tracks. Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times noted the emotionality in Rodrigo's voice, describing it as "trembling with regret". Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Poppie Platt believed the song did not reflect any sonic or thematic growth for Rodrigo and felt like a "mere overhang from her debut".{{Cite news |last=Platt |first=Poppie |date=September 8, 2023 |title=Olivia Rodrigo, Guts, Review: Sugar-Coated Girl-Power That Goes Down a Little Too Easily |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review-taylor-swift-drivers-license/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909050641/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/olivia-rodrigo-guts-review-taylor-swift-drivers-license/ }}
Sheffield ranked "Making the Bed" as Rodrigo's 14th-best song in September 2023 and picked his favorite lyric: "I tell someone I love them, just as a distraction/And they tell me that they love me like I’m some tourist attraction." Nylon included "And I'm playing the victim so well in my head/ But it's me who's been making the bed" in its list of Guts{{'}}s most impeccable lyrics.{{cite web |last=Wang |first=Steffanee |title=17 Impeccable Lyrics From Olivia Rodrigo's Guts |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/best-olivia-rodrigo-guts-lyrics |website=Nylon |access-date=July 31, 2024 |date=September 9, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240729083339/https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/best-olivia-rodrigo-guts-lyrics }} Austin American-Statesman{{'}}s Deborah Sengupta Stith declared "I got the things I wanted / It's just not what I imagined" one of her 10 favorite Rodrigo lines.
Commercial performance
"Making the Bed" debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for September 23, 2023. In Canada, the song entered at number 20 on the Canadian Hot 100 issued for the same date and was certified gold by Music Canada. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 19 on the Official Audio Streaming Chart and Billboard. "Making the Bed" received a silver certification in the United Kingdom from the British Phonographic Industry. In Australia, the song entered at number 18 and received a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association. It debuted at number 13 in New Zealand. "Making the Bed" charted at number 16 on the Billboard Global 200. The song also reached national record charts at number 14 in Ireland, number 43 in Portugal, and number 46 in Greece. It received a platinum certification in Brazil.
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Guts.
- Dan Nigro – producer, songwriter, engineer, guitar, piano, vocal producer, bass, synthesizer, drum programming, background vocals
- Olivia Rodrigo – vocals, background vocals, songwriter
- Sam Stewart – guitar
- Ryan Linvill – saxophone
- Dani Perez – engineer
- Austen Healey – record engineering assistance
- Randy Merrill – mastering
- Serban Ghenea – mixing
- Bryce Bordone – mixing assistance
Charts
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Making the Bed"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2024|access-date=September 27, 2024|refname="ARIA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Olivia Rodrigo|title=Making the Bed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=June 27, 2025|refname="PMB"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Olivia Rodrigo|title=Making the Bed|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=February 27, 2024|refname="MC"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom |type=single|award=Silver|artist=Olivia Rodrigo|title=Making the Bed|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|id=20478-5451-1|refname="BPI"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Olivia Rodrigo}}
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Category:Songs written by Olivia Rodrigo
Category:Songs written by Dan Nigro