Olivia Rodrigo Returns with “expectations" Remix Featuring Chappell Roan and David Byrne
Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan released a remix of “expectations” on October 15, marking Rodrigo’s first remix and Roan’s debut as a featured artist. Produced by longtime collaborator Dan Nigro, the new version features an additional second verse by Roan.
Directed by Bardia Zeinali, the retro-inspired music video centers around a fictional game show called The Big Expectations Show, where Rodrigo and Roan compete as contestants. Talking Heads frontman David Byrne appears as the show’s host, Johnny Johnson. His appearance follows his onstage collaboration with Rodrigo at The Governors Ball in 2025.
In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Roan explained how she shaped her verse. “I love making things a little gay,” she said. Rodrigo recalled sharing stories about dating boys while working on the song in the studio, prompting Roan to encourage her to start dating girls. In addition, Rodrigo revealed that she wrote “expectations” as a mantra song listeners could repeat to themselves, citing Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE” as an example of a track that stays with you. She also credited Roan’s confidence and swagger as an influence on the original song.
The remix also gave Rodrigo's third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, a boost on the Billboard 200. The album returned to No. 1 on the chart dated October 31, marking its third non-consecutive week at the top. It earned 75,000 equivalent album units, a 15% increase from the previous week, overtaking Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. Streaming accounted for most of the album’s total, generating 67.14 million on-demand streams across its tracks, and the album now sits at No. 2 for the week of November 7. Fans can also buy limited-edition 7-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette versions of the remix through Rodrigo’s store.
Watch the music video for “expectations” below:
Earlier this year, Rodrigo released “serena joy” on August 24, ahead of her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival. The song received its live debut five days later, on August 29, when she performed it at Great Park in Irvine, California. The GRAMMY-winning artist also made the track available as a limited-edition CD release, with just 500 copies sold exclusively at Analog Records in Orange County before its digital release.
Rodrigo co-wrote “serena joy” with Nigro during sessions for her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. Named after Serena Joy, a character in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, the song draws on themes of resistance and protest. A portion of its proceeds will benefit the Daisy Chain Fields Fund, which supports organizations focused on women and girls, including Planned Parenthood.
Daisy Chain Fields drew approximately 45,000 attendees, bringing together an all-women lineup that included Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Santigold, and The Breeders, among others. Rodrigo also brought out three special guests during her headlining set. Sarah McLachlan, whose Lilith Fair festival helped inspire the event, joined her onstage, alongside Stevie Nicks and Alanis Morissette, who stepped in for Karen O after she withdrew due to a family emergency. “I feel like I’m dreaming,” Rodrigo told the crowd. “This is the best day of my fucking life!”
Beyond the performances, the festival also raised significant funds for organizations supporting women and girls. Philanthropist Melinda French Gates matched the $10 million that the festival raised, bringing the total contribution to the Daisy Chain Fields Fund to $20 million. Speaking to NPR after the event, Rodrigo recalled how seeing a woman breastfeeding her baby under a tree in the crowd made the festival feel like everything she had envisioned.
Rodrigo also kicked off The Unraveled Tour on September 25 at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut, with “serena joy” featuring on the setlist since the opening night. The 86-date tour spans North America and Europe through May 10, 2027, and every date has sold out.
What do you think of the “expectations” remix video with Chappell Roan and David Byrne? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us on Instagram or X.
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Edited by: Batul Netterwala
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