Olivia Rodrigo Shares Heartfelt Music Video Created by Kids in Gaza and Other Conflict Areas
Olivia Rodrigo’s latest music video effectively highlights the experiences of children living in war-torn regions.
Released on Friday, March 6, via Instagram, the video accompanies her cover of The Magnetic Fields’ 1999 song “The Book of Love.” The track will feature on War Child Records’ new charity album, Help(2). As Rodrigo’s soothing vocals flow over gentle strings, the visual juxtaposes footage captured by children in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen.
The imagery depicts moments of joy amid turmoil, showcasing children playing games and embracing fleeting moments of normalcy against backdrops of collapsed buildings and chaotic environments.
This release coincided with the launch of Help(2), which features contributions from a range of artists, including Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Arlo Parks, Beabadoobee, Big Thief, Fontaines D.C., and Wet Leg. This album marks thirty years since the original Help, which united renowned musicians like Paul McCartney, Oasis, Sinéad O’Connor, and Radiohead to raise funds for those affected by the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s.
War Child and its participating artists aim to support those suffering from humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Syria, alongside civil wars in Yemen and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rodrigo has publicly voiced her support for the Palestinian people during the ongoing conflict, expressing deep concern for the suffering in Gaza. In a July Instagram post, she stated, “there are no words to describe the heartbreak I feel witnessing the devastation that is being inflicted upon innocent people … it is horrific and completely unacceptable. to give up on them is to give up on our shared humanity.”
Producer James Ford reflected on Rodrigo’s recording session for “The Book of Love” in an interview, recalling its unique atmosphere. “I talked Olivia into doing what we were calling a ‘Sinatra-style’ take, which was recording live with a string section,” he said. “She was such a pro and was happy to take a gung-ho approach to it — she just walked into the studio and nailed it.”
The Help(2) album is now available for listening.
