All I Want

Album: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019)
Charted: 32 90
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Olivia Rodrigo sings about her troubles with past boyfriends, and her desire to to meet a "good guy" to share a "love that lasts."
  • The piano ballad was recorded for episode 4, "Blocking," of the Disney+ mockumentary web TV show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Olivia sings the song from the perspective of her character, Nini Salazar-Roberts. It was recorded live on the show during a scene where Nini laments the loss of her relationship for E.J. and her resurfacing feelings for Rick.
  • All I Want" marked Olivia's songwriting debut. The 16-year-old actress penned it in just three days while filming the series and going to school. She said in a behind-the-scenes video: "(It's) basically about Nini, and, kind of, her boy troubles. She just found out that E.J. really betrayed her and did something untrustworthy, so she's just grappling with that, and also looking back on her relationship with Ricky. I think it's a very relatable concept, at least for me."
  • The song was produced by Matthew Tishler, who previously worked with Olivia on songs for Disney Channel's Bizaardvark. Tishler has also worked with teen pop singers such as Ashley Tisdale and Dove Cameron, plus popular K-pop/J-pop artists like BTS and EXO.
  • Part of the chorus was inspired by a conversation between Olivia and her mom about boy problems. Her mom told her: "There's nothing wrong with you."

    Is it something wrong with me?
    All I want is a good guy


    Olivia explained to Genius: "It's hard sometimes being in love with the person who doesn't love you the same way can feel kind of degrading to you, and you're wondering like, "Oh, maybe if I was prettier, or more interesting, or funnier, then they wouldn't act this way," but it's totally not true. It has everything to do with them and nothing to do with you, but I think Nini still has yet to figure that out in this song."
  • Olivia Rodrigo signed with Geffen Records in 2020. The key to her deal was how impressed the label's A&R team was with her songwriting on this ballad. You might have heard of her debut single with the label - a ditty titled "Drivers License."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."