What's Wrong with Me

"What's Wrong with Me"
Song by Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith
from the album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
ReleasedJune 12, 2026 (2026-06-12)
Genre
Length3:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Dan Nigro
Audio video
"What's Wrong with Me" on YouTube

"What's Wrong with Me" (written in all lowercase) is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo and English musician Robert Smith. It is from Rodrigo's third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. The song is a pop and baroque pop song with an upbeat sound.[1][2] The song was written by Olivia Rodrigo, Dan Nigro and Sasha Alex Sloan. Nigro also helped produce the song.

The song is about Rodrigo having a hard time trying to save her relationship while also realizing the bad effects it had on her mental health.[3][1] Some critics saw how the theme of the album changes in this song when Rodrigo realizes she was not guilty for the relationship falling apart, but her boyfriend was.[4][5]

Rodrigo first sang the song during her performance at Primavera Sound on June 6, 2026. The song was released as the album's tenth track on June 12, 2026 by Geffen Records. Critics gave the song positive reviews. Many liked Rodrigo's duet with Smith.[6][7][8]

Background

Olivia Rodrigo sang with Robert Smith in "What's Wrong with Me"

Olivia Rodrigo first sang with Robert Smith of The Cure when they sang some of the band's songs during her Glastonbury Festival performance in June 2025.[9] A year later in March 2026, Rodrigo talked about the theme of her third studio album in an interview with British Vogue.[10] She said that the album would mainly have "sad love songs".[11][12][13]

On April 2, 2026, the album title, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, was revealed when it was painted on a pink wall in Los Angeles. Dan Nigro returned as the album's producer, having worked with Rodrigo before.[14] She released "Drop Dead" as the lead single on April 17, 2026.[15] The single mentions "Just like Heaven", a single from the Cure's 1987 album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.[15] Rodrigo sang a second song from the album, called "Begged" on Saturday Night Live on May 2, 2026.[16]

Rodrigo released "The Cure" as the second single from You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love on May 22, 2026. It was released on the same day as World Goth Day. Billboard's Hannah Dailey thought that the song's title was inspired by The Cure band.[17] Even though she was a fan of the band, Rodrigo said that the song was not related to them.[9] The album's track list, which showed the tenth track, "What's Wrong with Me", in its You Seem Pretty Sad section, was revealed on May 26.[18]

Rodrigo first showed "What's Wrong with Me" during her surprise performance at Primavera Sound on June 6, 2026. During the performance, she also sang with Robert Smith.[3] It is the first time that Rodrigo worked with another singer on an original song.[3][19]

Song and words

"What's Wrong with Me" was written by Rodrigo, Dan Nigro and Sasha Alex Sloan

"What's Wrong with Me" is 3 minutes and 44 seconds long.[20] Nigro produced the song. He also engineered it with Smith. Nigro played bass, guitar, and piano. Smith played guitar, piano, and the six-string bass. Mitch McCarthy mixed the song, and Randy Merrill mastered it.[21] Singer Sasha Alex Sloan helped write the song as well.[21]

"What's Wrong with Me" is a pop and baroque pop song with an upbeat musical tone.[1][2] Rodrigo starts the song and it then becomes a duet between her and Smith. Smith joins her in the second verse, and they soon sing over each other. Despite the song's introspective themes, it has an upbeat pop sound.[3][1]

"What's Wrong with Me" is about someone realizing that their romantic relationship is the reason for their unhappiness even though they want it to work. The song follows a narrator who is going through emotional problems and questioning their mental health. They talk about many symptoms such as anxiety, sleeplessness, and not eating. The song mentions this with the lyrics: "My head is spinning and my stomach is sick/ Say I'm in love, so it's hard to admit/ I can't eat, I can't sleep/ I think you're what's wrong with me".[3] In the chorus of the song, Rodrigo sings about trying to improve her feelings with medical treatment and by herself. In Smith's lyrics, he wonders whether the relationship is truly what he wants. The lyrics show them struggling over a relationship that they think is harming them instead of helping them.[3][1]

Rodrigo said in an interview with the BBC that the song was about "missing someone" very much that she felt "depressed". She also said the song was about her looking back at the negative effect the relationship had on her.[22]

Variety said that the song had "very old-school synths" with "drum-machine beats". They also said the melody could be mistaken for a "catchy love song" instead of a song that criticized someone's boyfriend.[4] Slate said that the song was the point where the album's narrative changed. Rodrigo no longer felt guilty about the relationship going bad and instead blamed her boyfriend.[5] Forbes found this change in narrative by calling it a second part of Rodrigo's last single "The Cure". Forbes also said that in the song, Rodrigo finds out that the relationship itself is the source of the problem.[23]

Reviews and reactions

Critics gave "What's Wrong with Me" good reviews. Many liked Smith's guest appearance in the single.[6][7][8] Critics compared the duet to The Cure's influence on the album.[24][7]

In their review of You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Pitchfork enjoyed the single, calling it "magic" and a "star-crossed kiss-off".[6] Rolling Stone also liked Smith's guest performance. They called it a "brilliant cameo" while also saying that the song worked well with their discographies.[7] The Guardian called the duet a "bold move" because most of Rodrigo's fans are younger and might not understand Smith's work.[8] However, they liked how Smith's voice worked with Rodrigo's.[8] Dazed also gave the song a good review. They liked the duet and called it "powerful to hear the two meet on equal terms". They called the song the album's "biggest achievement", saying it turned Rodrigo from a "student of great singer-songwriters" into one herself.[25] Clash liked the duet between Rodrigo and Smith and called the song "devastating and catchy".[26]

In their review of the album, NPR was less positive. They thought the song was a "surprisingly muted duet" and said they did not like how there was not another version of the song that "might have honored Smith's talent for writing".[22] The New York Times wrote that the song did not work well as a "stand-alone song".[27]

Live performance

Rodrigo first sang "What's Wrong with Me" before its release at Primavera Sound on June 6, 2026.[3][1] Rodrigo said that she was excited to show the song. She said "I can't believe this song exists with the person that it exists with. I'm just so fucking over the moon".[3][1] Rodrigo did not say that the guest singer was Smith at first. Smith walked onstage halfway through Rodrigo's performance. He then joined her to sing his part.[3][1] As the two hugged at the end, Rodrigo said: "I feel like I'm gonna cry... I can't believe that that's a thing that happened in the real world and not just a figment of my imagination".[3][1]

After the live performance, Rolling Stone called the duet "heaven" and "Goth Intuition".[28] Variety said the duet was "one of pop’s best-kept secrets of 2026".[29] Billboard said the duet was the most talked about moments from Primavera Sound.[30]

Credits

Charts

Chart performance
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[31]93
Australia (ARIA)[32] 12
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[33]18
Germany (Official German Charts)[34]70
Global 200 (Billboard)[35]11
Greece International (IFPI)[36] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] 18
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[38]25
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[39] 96
Singapore (RIAS)[40] 15
Spain (Promusicae)[41] 57
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 2
UK Streaming (OCC)[43] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[44]17

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Willman, Chris (June 6, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Reveals New Album Has Duet with the Cure's Robert Smith via Surprise Premiere for 'What's Wrong with Me' at Primavera Sound". Variety. Archived from the original on June 6, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Savio, Michael (2026-06-12). "Olivia Rodrigo 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So In Love' Review". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on June 12, 2026. Retrieved 2026-06-13.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Iasimone, Ashley (June 6, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Debuts 'What's Wrong With Me' With The Cure's Robert Smith at Primavera Sound 2026". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 6, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "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. June 12, 2026. Archived from the original on June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "A Guide to Olivia Rodrigo's New Album for Fans of 1980s Rock Band the Cure". Slate. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "5 Takeaways From Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love". Pitchfork. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Olivia Rodrigo Tells a Beautiful, Crushing Love Story". Rolling Stone. June 12, 2026. Archived from the original on June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Olivia Rodrigo: You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love review – who's she singing about? Who cares when the songs are this good". The Guardian. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Avila, Daniela (May 21, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Confirms New Song 'The Cure' Has No Connection to the Band but Says She Does Talk to Robert Smith 'Every Week'". People. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Brasil, Sydney (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces Album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ Morrow, Brendan (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo reveals third studio album – See the surprising name". USA Today. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. 1 2 Shafer, Ellise (April 7, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo to Release New Single, 'Drop Dead,' on April 17". Variety. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ Young, Alex (May 3, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Performs 'Drop Dead' and 'Begged' on SNL". Consequence. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  17. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (May 19, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo's New Single Is 'The Cure': 'It's My Favorite Song' on the Upcoming Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  18. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (May 26, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Drops You Seem Pretty Sad Tracklist With Intriguing Titles Such as 'Maggots for Brains' & 'Purple'". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 28, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  19. ↑ Young, Alex (June 6, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Debuts New Song with Robert Smith During Surprise Set at Primavera Sound". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on June 7, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  20. ↑ Rodrigo, Olivia (June 12, 2026). "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Olivia Rodrigo. "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Tidal. Credits. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo, pop princess of vengeful angst, tries her hand at love songs". NPR. June 12, 2026. Archived from the original on June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo 'You Seem Sad For A Girl So In Love' TrackBy-Track Review". Forbes. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo's 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' Has a Plot Twist Even She Wasn't Prepared For: Critic's Take". Billboard. June 12, 2026. Archived from the original on June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  25. ↑ "The 5 best tracks on Olivia Rodrigo's new album". Dazed. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Clash. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo's Songs Can't Always Keep Up With Her Impeccable Taste". The New York Times. June 12, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Singing With Robert Smith? It's Goth Intuition". Rolling Stone. June 8, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Reveals New Album Has Duet With the Cure's Robert Smith Via Surprise Premiere for 'What's Wrong With Me' at Primavera Sound". Variety. June 6, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  30. ↑ "The 10 Best Moments From Primavera Sound Festival 2026". Billboard. June 7, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Olivia Rodrigo. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  34. ↑ "– {{{song}}}" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  36. ↑ "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.
  37. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  38. ↑ "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  39. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 12.06.2026–18.06.2026.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  40. ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 25 (12 - 18 Jun 2026)". RIAS. Archived from the original on June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Top 100 Canciones". PROMUSICAE. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 25, 2026". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart on 19/6/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
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