Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan fans had real big expectations for their new collaboration, and the two pop stars definitely delivered.
The singers joined forces Thursday (Oct. 15) to release the song and video for their joint version of “Expectations,” a remix of the track that originally appears on Rodrigo’s Billboard 200-topping third album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. They 1980s-esque synth-pop anthem for setting high standards in the dating world was basically calling Roan’s name from the get-go, and her presence doubles the fun on the update.
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“Past mistakes are just new information,” the Grammy winners sing. “These days, I’ve got expectations.”
The video comes a few hours after Rodrigo shared a teaser, revealing a campy game-show theme with the two stars appearing to compete on “The Big Expectations Show” in various retro-chic outfits. “Oh, Olivia does remixes now,” Roan says sarcastically in the clip. The video features several different retro game shows, including the Family Feud spoof Sister Squabble, which sees Rodrigo and Roan going head-to-head with their “families.” Each of the shows is hosted by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne as the fictional emcee Johnny Johnson.
Roan contributes an entirely new verse to the song, with lyrics that address an unimpressive female suitor instead of the series of underwhelming men Rodrigo speaks to.
“Expectations” marks a rare collaboration for Rodrigo, and the first for Roan, who’s never before appeared on another artist’s track or had a guest on one of her own albums. The “Drivers License” artist has previously only duetted with Robert Smith on an official release, partnering with him on “What’s Wrong With Me” from You Seem Pretty Sad.
The remix comes after years of friendship between the two stars, who both work with producer Dan Nigro on their music. Roan opened for Rodrigo on both her Sour Tour and Guts World Tour — and after the Midwest Princess skyrocketed to stardom while the latter was still going on, she returned to the Guts stage to perform “Hot to Go!” with Rodrigo.
In August, the duo reunited again for Daisy Chain Fields, the festival Rodrigo founded this year to raise funds for charities supporting women and girls. “@oliviarodrigo u r so inspiring in so many ways,” Roan wrote on Instagram after her set at the event. “We need artists like u who use their platform for good and are such a light in the world. Thank you for being you and supporting artists like me, u have changed my life in so many ways.”
Watch the video for “Expectations” below.
