Wikipedia

The Cure (Olivia Rodrigo song)

"The Cure" (stylized in all lowercase) is a song by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo from her third studio album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. It was released as the album's second single on May 22, 2026, by Geffen Records and June 12, 2026. It is a downtempo rock, indie rock and pop track with themes of doubt and emotional isolation. Rodrigo wrote the song with its producer, Dan Nigro.

"The Cure"
Rodrigo arranging string in her hands to spell "The Cure"
Single by Olivia Rodrigo
from the album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
B-side"Never Do" (demo)
ReleasedMay 22, 2026 (2026-05-22)
Genre
Length4:57 (original version)
4:29 (vinyl version)
LabelGeffen
Songwriters
ProducerDan Nigro
Olivia Rodrigo singles chronology
"Drop Dead"
(2026)		 "The Cure"
(2026)		 "Stupid Song"
(2026)
Music video
"The Cure" on YouTube

"The Cure" achieved critical and commercial success. The song topped the charts in Australia, Ireland, and Singapore, and reached the top ten in Austria, Canada, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Background

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In March 2026, Olivia Rodrigo described the thematic direction of her third studio album in an interview with British Vogue.[1] She stated that the album predominantly features "sad love songs", explaining that many of her favorite romantic tracks derive their appeal from an undercurrent of fear or longing.[2][3][4] The album takes inspiration from Rodrigo's time in London. Multiple tracks on the album are said to reference the relationship of Sex and the City characters Miranda Hobbes and Steve Brady.[1] Speaking of the album's conception and the influence of Sex and the City on the tracks, Rodrigo stated: "Like, when Miranda and Steve are getting back together, she's crying. 'Steve, anytime something funny happens, I just want to tell you.' And I remember watching that and being like, 'Oh, my God, I have to write a song about this.'"[5]

On April 2, 2026, the album title was unveiled after being painted on a pink wall in Los Angeles and hinted with the final word ("love") in many cities. Rodrigo continued her collaboration with Dan Nigro, who returned to be the album's producer.[6] She released "Drop Dead" as the album's lead single on April 17, 2026,[7] and a second song from the album, called "Begged", was performed live on Saturday Night Live on May 2, 2026.[8]

Release

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Rodrigo announced "The Cure" as the second single from You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, along with its artwork and release date, on May 19, 2026. She stated that it is her "favorite song on the album and one of my favorite songs I've ever made".[9] Rodrigo called the song the "thesis statement" and "the climax of the record", saying that it "made the whole album click" for her.[10] It was released on May 22 on digital media as well as physical formats such as 7-inch and cassette,[11] coinciding with World Goth Day; Billboard's Hannah Dailey noted that the song title might reference the goth rock band the Cure, whom Rodrigo is a fan of,[9] but Rodrigo later confirmed that the song was not related to the band.[12] "The Cure" appears as the eighth track on the album.[13] Physical editions of the single feature a demo version of the bonus track "Never Do" on the B-side.[14]

Composition

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"The Cure" is four minutes and fifty-seven seconds long.[13] Nigro handled production. He plays guitar, bass, piano, and provides the drum programming and string arrangement; Paul Cartwright plays the cello, viola, and violin; Sterling Laws plays drums; and Bryn Bliska plays the synth. Mike Bozzi mastered the song, and Mitch McCarthy mixed it.[15]

"The Cure" has been labeled as a downtempo[16] rock,[17] indie rock,[18] and pop track.[19] The song begins with rapid acoustic guitar strumming and gradually builds in intensity over the course of its runtime before culminating in a climactic section and a string-accompanied coda. Variety's Chris Willman compared its somber atmosphere and restrained buildup to 1990s alternative rock, including the music of The Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters. Although "The Cure" incorporates elements of Rodrigo's earlier rock-oriented work, it relies less heavily on electric guitars.[20]

"The Cure" is centered around a melancholic acoustic guitar melody. Its lyrics address themes of doubt, mistrust, emotional isolation, and misplaced faith in another person. In the verses, Rodrigo describes loneliness and intrusive thoughts while reflecting on a relationship she initially viewed as an "antidote". The song gradually builds toward an anguished chorus in which she uses medicinal imagery to portray love as an ineffective remedy for her emotional struggles.[21]

Critical reception

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"The Cure" received acclaim from critics. Pitchfork awarded "The Cure" a designation of "Best New Track". Writing for Pitchfork, Quinn Moreland praised "The Cure" as a "rollicking single" from Rodrigo's upcoming album. Moreland highlighted the song's gradual build and explosive climax as a "mature step forward" for her, noting its shift away from railing against toxic exes toward confronting her own reflection.[22] Robin Murray of Clash described "The Cure" as Rodrigo's "crowning achievement". He emphasized its ambitious scope, calling it "dense in ideas" and "superbly ambitious in execution". Murray also noted Rodrigo's own comment that the track "made the whole album click".[23]

Commercial performance

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"The Cure" debuted at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for June 6, 2026, becoming the eighth top ten single of Rodrigo's career, and You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love's second after the chart topper "Drop Dead".[24] In Canada, the song peaked at number six on the Canadian Hot 100 on the chart for June 27.[25] It entered at number two on the UK Singles Chart and became Rodrigo's 10th top 10 single.[26]

In Australia, "The Cure" debuted at number one.[27] The song entered at number four in New Zealand.[28] It debuted at number two on the Billboard Global 200.[29] "The Cure" also peaked within the top 15 at number one in Ireland and Singapore,[30][31] number six in Austria,[32] number eight in Germany,[33] number nine in Greece,[34] number eight in Portugal,[35] number eleven in Hong Kong and the Netherlands,[36][37] number twelve in Luxembourg,[38] and number thirteen in Malaysia.[39]

Music video

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The official music video for "The Cure" was released on May 22, 2026. Directed by Cat Solen and Jaime Gerin, the video features Rodrigo as a 1950s nurse attempting to save hearts at a hospital before becoming a patient there herself. At the end of the video, it is revealed that the plot took place inside a cardboard dollhouse, which she ends up stomping on while unpacking her belongings in an empty room.[40]

Live performances

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Rodrigo performed "The Cure" live for the first time with background singers at BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge on June 2, 2026.[41] She did another performance of the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which was uploaded to the show's YouTube channel on June 11, 2026.[42]

Personnel

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These credits have been adapted from music streaming services Apple Music,[15] Spotify,[43] and Tidal.[44]

  • Olivia Rodrigo – songwriting, lead vocals, background vocals
  • Dan Nigro – production (for "Never Do" and "The Cure"), songwriting, guitar, background vocals, bass, drum programming, piano, string arrangement
  • Paul Cartwright – string arrangement, cello, viola, violin
  • Sterling Laws – drums
  • Mike Bozzi – audio mastering
  • Mitch McCarthy – audio mixing
  • Bryn Bliska – synth
  • Randy Merrill – mastering engineer (for "Never Do")

Track listing

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7-inch vinyl and cassette[14]

  1. "The Cure" – 4:57
  2. "Never Do" (demo) – 3:41

Charts

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Chart performance for "The Cure"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Argentina Hot 100 (Billboard)[45]28
Australia (ARIA)[27] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[32]6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[46]31
Bolivia Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[47]14
Brazil Hot 100 (Billboard)[48]38
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[25]6
Chile Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[49]10
Croatia International Airplay (Top lista)[50] 94
Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[51]22
Dominican Republic Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[52]11
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[53]99
France (SNEP)[54] 43
Germany (GfK)[33]8
Global 200 (Billboard)[29]2
Greece International (IFPI)[34] 9
Guatemala Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[55]17
Hong Kong (Billboard)[36] 11
Ireland (IRMA)[30]1
Israel (Mako Hit List)[56] 79
Italy (FIMI)[57]90
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[58] 8
Latin America Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[59] 20
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA)[60] 14
Lithuania (AGATA)[61] 36
Luxembourg (Billboard)[38] 12
Malaysia (IFPI)[39] 13
Malaysia International (RIM)[62] 8
Mexico Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[63]12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37]11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[28] 4
Nigeria Airplay (TurnTable)[64] 69
Norway (IFPI Norge)[65] 33
Philippines (IFPI)[66] 7
Philippines Hot 100 (Billboard Philippines)[67]4
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[68] 31
Portugal (AFP)[35] 8
Singapore (RIAS)[31] 1
Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[69]23
South Africa Streaming (TOSAC)[70] 66
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[71] 24
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[72] 23
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[73]16
United Arab Emirates (IFPI)[74] 20
UK Singles (OCC)[75]2
US Billboard Hot 100[76]5
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[77]1

Certifications

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Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and format(s) for "The Cure"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various May 22, 2026 Geffen [79]

References

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  1. 1 2 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.
  2. ↑ Brasil, Sydney (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Announces Album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  3. ↑ Morrow, Brendan (April 2, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo reveals third studio album – See the surprising name". USA Today. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Kaplan, Ilana (May 1, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Reveals Which Sex and the City Romance Inspired Her New Album". People. Retrieved May 18, 2026.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Shafer, Ellise (April 7, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo to Release New Single, 'Drop Dead,' on April 17". Variety. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  8. ↑ Young, Alex (May 3, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Performs 'Drop Dead' and 'Begged' on SNL". Consequence. Retrieved May 3, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. 1 2 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.
  10. ↑ Art, Pop Culture & (May 22, 2026). "Who is Olivia Rodrigo's 'the cure' about? Singer explains lyrics of new single from upcoming album". The Express Tribune. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  11. ↑ Wang, Mel (May 22, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Gets Medical in 'the cure' Music Video". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. 1 2 Rodrigo, Olivia (June 12, 2026). "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love". Apple Music. Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  14. 1 2 7-inch vinyl: Cassette:
  15. 1 2 Rodrigo, Olivia (May 22, 2026). "the cure". Apple Music. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ Fitzgerald, Kiana (June 12, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Levels Up on you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love: Review". Consequence. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  17. ↑ Johnson, Laura. "Olivia Rodrigo Teases Upcoming Album With Video For New Single The Cure". Stereoboard. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  18. ↑ Roiz, Lyndsey; Havens, Kyle; Denis, Jessica; Nicholson, Katie; Bain, Jessica (May 22, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo, Charli xcx, Lola Young & More: New Music Friday Guide". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  19. ↑ Glicksman, Lyndsey; Havens, Hannah; Dailey, Rebecca; Milzoff, Joe; Lynch, Josh (June 2, 2026). "Five Burning Questions About Olivia Rodrigo's 'The Cure' Chart Debut". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2026. The emotional pop track follows lead single 'Drop Dead' that debuted at No. 1 in early May.
  20. ↑ Willman, Chris (May 22, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Is Heartsick Again with 'The Cure' and, Well, That's a Little More Like It: Single Review". Variety. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (May 22, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo Shares Her 'Favourite' New Song 'The Cure'". NME. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  22. ↑ Moreland, Quinn. "Olivia Rodrigo: 'The Cure'". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  23. ↑ Murray, Robin (May 22, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo's 'The Cure' Is Her Crowning Achievement". Clash. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  24. ↑ Trust, Gary (June 1, 2026). "Drake's 'Janice STFU' Becomes His First Multi-Week Hot 100 No. 1 This Decade". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2026.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  26. ↑ Persad, Max (May 29, 2026). "Olivia Rodrigo scoops highest new entry on the Official Singles Chart with The Cure". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 1, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  30. 1 2 "Official Irish Singles Chart on 29/5/2026 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  31. 1 2 "The Official Singapore Charts Week 22 (22 - 28 May 2026)". RIAS. Archived from the original on June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  33. 1 2 "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  34. 1 2 "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 21/2026" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  35. 1 2 "Top 200 Singles Semana 22 de 2026" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 9. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  36. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  37. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  38. 1 2 "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  39. 1 2 "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Malaysia Chart Top 20 from 06/12/2026 to 06/18/2026". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 23, 2026. [Select 2026 Week 25]
  40. ↑ Green, Walden (May 22, 2026). "Watch Olivia Rodrigo Unravel in New "The Cure" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Watch Olivia Rodrigo Cover CMAT At BBC 'Live Lounge'". JamBase. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  42. ↑ Jimmy Kimmel Live (June 10, 2026). Olivia Rodrigo - the cure. Retrieved June 29, 2026 – via YouTube.
  43. ↑ Rodrigo, Olivia (May 22, 2026). "the cure". Spotify. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  44. ↑ Rodrigo, Olivia (May 22, 2026). "the cure". Tidal. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Top 20 Bolivia Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Top 20 Chile Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Airplay Radio Chart Top100 – 29. lipnja 2026" [Airplay Radio Chart Top100 – 29 June 2026] (in Croatian). Top lista. June 29, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  51. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 25. týden 2026" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Top 20 República Dominicana Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart". TopHit. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Top Singles (Semaine du 29 mai 2026)" (in French). Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Top 20 Guatemala Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  56. ↑ המצעד השבועי: היטליסט – שבוע 26, 2026 – 16.06 – 22.06.2026 [Mako Hit List: Weekly Chart – Week 26, 2026 | 16.06 – 22.06.2026]. Mako Hit List (in Hebrew). June 23, 2026. Archived from the original on June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Singoli 25 2026 – Archivio classifiche settimanali". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of June 3, 2026". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Top 20 Internacional – Anglo – Del 15 al 21 de Junio, 2026" [Top 20 International – English – From 15 to 21 June, 2026] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Repera Oda dziesma "Redz kā!" kļuvusi par spēlētāko latviešu singlu radiostacijās" [The song "Redz kā!" by rapper Oda has become the most-played Latvian single on radio stations] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  61. ↑ "2026 25-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. June 19, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  62. ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 25 (12/06/2026 - 18/06/2026)". RIM. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026 – via Facebook.
  63. ↑ "Top 20 México Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  64. ↑ "TurnTable Nigeria Official Radio Songs: Jun 5th, 2026 – Jun 11th, 2026". TurnTable. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Singel 2026 uke 23". IFPI Norge. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  66. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 06/12/2026 to 06/18/2026". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 23, 2026. [Select 2026 Week 25]
  67. ↑ "Philippines Hot 100 – Week of June 27, 2026". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
  68. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 22.05.2026–28.05.2026.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  69. ↑ "ČNS IFPI – SK Singles Digital – Top 100 – 22. týden 2026" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  70. ↑ "Local and International Streaming Chart Top 20 Week 22 – 2026 (New Releases)". The Official South African Charts. Archived from the original on June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  71. ↑ "Top 100 Canciones". PROMUSICAE. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  72. ↑ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 22, 2026". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  73. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  74. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 22, 2026 – 22/05 to 28/05/2026". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2026, week 22 and UAE chart to view peak.). June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  75. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 29/5/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  76. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  77. ↑ "Olivia Rodrigo Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  78. ↑ "British single certifications – Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 3, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type The Cure Olivia Rodrigo in the "Search:" field.
  79. ↑ "The Cure". Olivia Rodrigo | Official Store. Archived from the original on May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
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