Olivia Rodrigo has surprise-released a new song, 'Serena Joy,' as a limited-edition CD available exclusively at Analog Music Shop in Tustin, California. The release on Friday, Aug. 21, came ahead of her upcoming Daisy Chain Fields festival, scheduled for Aug. 29 at Irvine's Great Park, approximately eight miles from the record store.
The CD Release
The 23-year-old singer supplied the retailer with 500 copies of the track, which the store announced on Instagram. Analog Music Shop later confirmed that all copies had sold out, days before the song became available on other platforms.
The store issued a statement expressing gratitude for being chosen to exclusively sell the physical copies. "When we heard that Olivia Rodrigo was bringing an all-women music festival to Orange County, we were honestly just excited to see something this special happening right here in our hometown," the shop wrote. "As one of the closest record stores in the area, we wanted to find a way to support Daisy Chain Fields."
The statement continued: "We knew Olivia had a track record of supporting record stores, but we were still taken aback when we heard the news: Olivia is releasing a new song ahead of Daisy Chain Fields called 'Serena Joy,' and she wants the physical CD copies to be exclusively sold at Analog Record Shop." (The shop's name appears as both Analog Music Shop and Analog Record Shop in different reports.)
"More than anything, we're grateful for what this represents: An artist building a stage for women in music and raising funds for women and girls," the shop added. "An artist willing to support a local independent record store. And a hometown getting to be part of something really special. That means a lot to us."
Wider Release and Song Details
Days after the CD exclusive, Rodrigo dropped "Serena Joy" on all streaming platforms, as reported by Rolling Stone. The song, inspired by Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," features lyrics like "If they do it to them/They'll do it to you." It was co-written with her longtime collaborator Dan Nigro, who also produced the track.
In a video interview with ETalk, Rodrigo explained that "Serena Joy" was initially recorded for her third album, "You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June. The song was ultimately cut from the record. "I actually really love that song," she said. "It didn't fit on the record. The record was very much a chronicle of a relationship — beginning, middle and end. And that song didn't really fit in the story I was trying to tell. But I hope that it'll be a part of something else down the line."
Resale and Collectibility
The limited CD has become a collector's item, with copies reportedly being resold on eBay for more than $300, according to Rolling Stone. The song is now available on all platforms, but the physical CD remains a sought-after item.
Daisy Chain Fields Festival
Rodrigo announced plans for the inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival in June. The event features an all-women lineup, with 100% of net proceeds going to charities dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls. The lineup includes Chappell Roan, Garbage, Doechii, The Breeders, Mitski, Bikini Kill, and KATSEYE, with special guests Karen O, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Nicks.
Rodrigo herself had not commented on the CD release at press time, according to Billboard, though her Instagram announcement about the festival expressed excitement: "truly never felt more excited to share a piece of news with you all. i've had a dream of doing this festival for years and i am so ecstatic its finally coming true!!"
The festival is scheduled to take place on Aug. 29 at Irvine's Great Park.