The Rose Song

“The Rose Song” was written by Olivia Rodrigo for her role in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. It is featured in season two, episode six, titled “Yes, And.” Olivia’s character, Nini, gets cast as the Enchanted Rose in her school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. Nini is tasked with writing an original duet between her character and the Beast, who is played by her boyfriend, Ricky. During this process, they begin to clash over Ricky’s frequent insistence that they aren’t spending enough time together, as well as his belief that Nini is changing as a person. After a struggle with writer’s block, Nini gets a jolt of inspiration from her best friend Kourtney’s outlook on relationships. Nini proceeds to switch the song to the Rose’s point of view, who sings about overcoming the Beast’s perception of her and no longer allowing him to define who she is. While much of the song’s imagery is lifted from the Rose’s story, it largely serves as a metaphor for Nini’s crumbling relationship with Ricky.