Maggots for Brains

"Maggots for Brains"
Song by Olivia Rodrigo
from the album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
ReleasedJune 12, 2026 (2026-06-12)
Genre
Length4:00 (original version)
3:38 (album vinyl/cassette version)
LabelGeffen
Songwriters
ProducerDan Nigro
Lyric video
"Maggots for Brains" on YouTube

"Maggots for Brains" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo from her third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. It was released on June 12, 2026, by Geffen Records. Rodrigo wrote the song with Amy Allen and Dan Nigro, who also produced it. A jangle pop, new wave, and post-punk song, "Maggots for Brains" is inspired by the American rom-com television series Sex and the City (1998–2004). Its lyrics compare a narrator's state of lovesickness to having a rotten brain – being unable to function without her lover.

Background

In March 2026, Olivia Rodrigo described the thematic direction of her third studio album in an interview with British Vogue.[1] She stated that the album predominantly features "sad love songs", explaining that many of her favorite romantic tracks derive their appeal from an undercurrent of fear or longing.[2][3][4] The album takes inspiration from Rodrigo's time in London. Multiple tracks on the album are said to reference the relationship of Sex and the City characters Miranda Hobbes and Steve Brady.[1] On April 2, 2026, the album title was unveiled after being painted on a pink wall in Los Angeles and hinted with the final word in the album title in many cities. Rodrigo continued her collaboration with Dan Nigro, who returned to be the album's producer.[5] Rodrigo released "Drop Dead" as the lead single on April 17, 2026.[6] A second song from the album, called "Begged", was performed on Saturday Night Live on May 2, 2026.[7]

Speaking of the album's conception and the influence of Sex and the City on the tracks, Rodrigo stated: "Like, when Miranda and Steve are getting back together, she's crying. 'Steve, anytime something funny happens, I just want to tell you.' And I remember watching that and being like, 'Oh, my God, I have to write a song about this.'"[8] Out of the thirteen tracks for You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, "Maggots for Brains" appears as the fourth.[9]

Composition

At four minutes long, "Maggots for Brains" is a jangle pop,[10] new wave,[11] and post-punk[12] tune featuring synthesizers[13] and new wave tones.[14] Critics found the production reminiscent of the English bands New Order[15][16] and the Cure,[17] British band Siouxsie and the Banshees,[14] and Canadian pop band Alvvays.[18]

"Maggots for Brains" is interchangeably titled after the English idiom, "worms for brains".[19] Rodrigo first teased the song through a shirt embroided with the lyric "I'm a zombie in my body" at Lollapalooza in August 1, 2025, in Chicago. The track features morbid imagery, such as zombies, maggots and decomposition.[20][21] Lyrically, it is inspired by the American romantic comedy television, Sex and the City (1998–2004) – particularly the character Miranda Hobbes.[1][19] In "Maggots for Brains", Rodrigo narrates her feeling of lovesickness without her lover – comparing this feeling to having worms in her brain and describing herself as a zombie.[22]

Critical reception

Hannah Dailey of Billboard ranked it at the bottom of the tracklist of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, describing it as "a punky banger full of simple metaphors and icky imagery — the title included", and adding: "This one feels more like Rodrigo just stepping up to the mic and ranting, letting her angst pour out of her and sounding better than ever as a pop-rock vocalist."[23] Julyssa Lopez of Rolling Stone described the song as "a mopey synth party" and "a snapshot of the yearning and neediness that takes over when there's distance from the person she loves".[24] Alex Rigotti of NME called the song an "excellent New Order ode".[25]

Commercial performance

"Maggots for Brains" debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for June 27, 2026.[26] In Canada, the song entered at number 11 on the Canadian Hot 100 on the chart for the same date.[27] In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 10 on the Official Audio Streaming Chart.[28] In Australia, "Maggots for Brains" debuted at number nine.[29] The song entered at number 13 in New Zealand.[30] It debuted at number eight on the Billboard Global 200.[31] "Maggots for Brains" also charted at number 1 on Sweden Heatseeker,[32] number 9 in Singapore,[33] number 16 in Portugal,[34] number 22 in Hong Kong,[35] number 58 in Germany,[36] and number 75 on the Brasil Hot 100.[37]

Credits and personnel

These credits have been adapted from Tidal.[38]

  • Olivia Rodrigo – composer, lyricist, vocals, background vocals
  • Dan Nigro – producer, composer, lyricist, acoustic guitar, bass, background vocals, drum programming, engineer, guitar, programming
  • Amy Allen – composer, lyricist
  • Michael Harris – additional engineering
  • Lily Elise – background vocals
  • Ben Romans – CP-70, piano
  • Sterling Laws – drums
  • Chris Kasych – engineer
  • Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
  • Mitch McCarthy – mixing

Charts

Chart positions for "Maggots for Brains"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Argentina Hot 100 (Billboard)[39]74
Australia (ARIA)[29] 9
Brazil Hot 100 (Billboard)[37]75
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[27]11
France (SNEP)[40] 155
Germany (GfK)[36]58
Greece International (IFPI)[41] 28
Global 200 (Billboard)[31]8
Hong Kong (Billboard)[35] 22
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[30] 13
Philippines Hot 100 (Billboard Philippines)[42]20
Portugal (AFP)[34] 16
Singapore (RIAS)[33] 9
Spain (Promusicae)[43]55
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[32] 1
UK Streaming (OCC)[28] 10
US Billboard Hot 100[26]12
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[44]2

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mukhtar, Amel (March 19, 2026). ""I'm Definitely A Lover Girl": Olivia Rodrigo On Yearning, "London Vibes", And Her Most Experimental Album Yet". British Vogue. Archived from the original on May 14, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  2. ↑ Brasil, Sydney (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces Album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  3. ↑ Morrow, Brendan (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo reveals third studio album – See the surprising name". USA Today. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  4. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces New Album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love". Variety. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  5. ↑ Green, Walden (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces New Album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  6. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (April 7, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo to Release New Single, 'Drop Dead,' on April 17". Variety. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  7. ↑ Young, Alex (May 3, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Performs 'Drop Dead' and 'Begged' on SNL". Consequence. Retrieved May 3, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Kaplan, Ilana (May 1, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Which Sex and the City Romance Inspired Her New Album". People. Retrieved May 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ↑ "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love – Album by Olivia Rodrigo". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo seems pretty sad, but does she still generate bangers? (transcript)". NPR. June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ Savio, Michael (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love' Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  12. ↑ Pelling, Louis (July 1, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo lovingly unravels on 'you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  13. ↑ Fell, Nicole; Millman, Ethan (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Chronicles the Life and Death of a Relationship on 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love': A Track-By-Track Breakdown". Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Diallo, Habi; Greig, James; Smith, Serena (June 12, 2026). "The 5 best tracks on Olivia Rodrigo's new album". Dazed. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  15. ↑ Rigotti, Alex (June 15, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo – 'You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love' review: a bittersweet, cinematic odyssey from a generational talent". NME. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  16. ↑ Campbell, Caleb (June 15, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo: you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Under the Radar. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  17. ↑ Willman, Chris (June 11, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Trades Pop-Punk for New Wave — and Angst for True Love (for Half an Album) — in the Excellent 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love': Review". Variety. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  18. ↑ Sollazzo, Cassidy (June 15, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo chases hope in every form on you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Paste. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  19. 1 2 Sam, Prance (June 13, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo explains deeper meaning behind her Maggots for Brains lyrics". Capital FM. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  20. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love review: An extraordinary tale of heartbreak from a generational talent". The Independent. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  21. ↑ Cills, Hazel (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo, pop princess of vengeful angst, tries her hand at lo". NPR. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  22. ↑ Lopez, Julyssa (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Tells a Beautiful, Crushing Love Story". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 17, 2026. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  23. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love': All 13 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  24. ↑ Lopez, Julyssa (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Tells a Beautiful, Crushing Love Story". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  25. ↑ Rigotti, Alex (June 15, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo – 'You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love' review: a bittersweet, cinematic odyssey from a generational talent". NME. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  27. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Official Streaming Chart on 19/6/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  29. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  30. 1 2 "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  31. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 25, 2026". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  33. 1 2 "The Official Singapore Charts Week 25 (12 - 18 Jun 2026)". RIAS. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  34. 1 2 "Top 200 Singles: Semana 25 de 2026" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 9. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
  35. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  36. 1 2 "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  37. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  38. ↑ "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love / Olivia Rodrigo / Credits". Tidal. Block. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Top Singles (Semaine du 19 juin 2026)" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 24/2026" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Philippines Hot 100 – Week of June 27, 2026". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo – Maggots for Brains". Canciones Top 50. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.