Olivia Rodrigo Shares the Story Behind Her Original Song for the New ‘Hunger Games’ Movie

Since the novel Hunger Games first landed on bookshelves in 2008, Suzanne Collins’ dystopian series has sold more than 100 million copies and ignited the imaginations of readers worldwide. Her most recent novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes serves as a prequel—64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem. (Feel like you may have missed a chapter along the way? Our Hunger Games Audiobooks Shelf has listeners in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand covered).

The books spawned the creation of four Hunger Games films from Lionsgate, which, in addition to bringing the action and drama of the series from page to screen, have featured soundtracks with original music from the likes of Taylor Swift and Lorde. 

On November 17, Lionsgate’s highly anticipated movie adaption of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, comes to the big screen. And its soundtrack spotlights a creator who’s also a longtime Hunger Games fan: Olivia Rodrigo. 

For the Record had the opportunity to ask Olivia about her original song, “Can’t Catch Me Now,” which provides the stirring and memorable ballad heard during the closing credits ion the movie.

When did you first become drawn to the Hunger Games series? 

I read the Hunger Games novels when I was 13 or so. I’m a huge fan of the series, so it was so much fun to write a song for a franchise I grew up so closely with.

What was your reaction to being asked to write and record an original song for the new film?

This is the first time I have written for a feature film. It was such an honor and a little daunting because I am so used to writing from my own experience. It was a fun challenge to watch the film and try to write something that tells someone else’s story.

Does your creative process change when creating a song for a film rather than a personal album?

Writing a song for a film definitely enabled me to stretch new songwriting muscles. The songs I wrote for SOUR and GUTS tend to be more diaristic and confessional. After watching the movie I felt really inspired by the character of Lucy Gray, and it was a fun challenge to channel her into the song.

Can you tell us about your song? How did the story play a role in the development of it?

After watching the film, I was fascinated with the mystery of what happened to Lucy Gray. I wanted to write a song that gave voice to her strength and power while also addressing the unanswered questions surrounding her life after the games.

What aspect of the new movie are you most excited for viewers to see?

I think it will be exciting for fans to learn about the origin of the characters that we’re all familiar with. There are so many nods to the previous films.

Catch Olivia’s new song on The Hunger Games Official Playlist below, or head to our Sounds From Panem destination filled with music inspired by the new film.