She's All I Wanna Be

"She's All I Wanna Be" is a song by Canadian singer Tate McRae, released on February 4, 2022, by RCA Records as the second single from her debut studio album ''I Used to Think I Could Fly'', released in May 2022. The song was written by McRae and Greg Kurstin, and produced by Kurstin.

Background and release

McRae launched a TikTok campaign for the song which involved teasing it in multiple videos beginning on December 11, 2021 till its release in February. She also made duets with multiple videos of other TikTok users to the song, and showcased part of the choreography for the official music video in a TikTok which attracted over 5 million views. She announced the release date on March 28, 2022, and noted that she went through 29 different mixes for the song.

Composition and lyrics

"She's All I Wanna Be" has elements of synth-pop and alt-pop. The song describes feelings of jealousy towards a woman who seems to have it all, including the interest of McRae's significant other, who attempts to convince McRae that the woman poses no threat. Rachel Brodsky of ''Stereogum'' remarks that the song addresses "everyday gaslighting by a love interest who tells you their perfect-seeming female bestie is nothing to worry about". McRae has stated that the song was inspired by feelings of envy and self-loathing brought about by scrolling through social media. She also notes that song was originally written as a ballad, and was later reworked to "give it some upbeat punk energy". Additionally, the original demo vocals recorded for the ballad version were retained in the final released track.

Critical reception

The song received widespread critical acclaim. Writing for ''Uproxx'' Caitlin White notes the pop-punk guitar, some glittering synths, and heavy percussion elevate the song sad girl anthem into ''actual'' anthem. Carolyn Droke of Uproxx also notes that the song solidifies McRae's pop star status. Jon Caramanica of ''The New York Times'' remarks that McRae's "dry, wiry voice is well suited to the convincingly mopey and skittish punk-pop thumper about envy". ''Notion'' notes that McRae showcases her moving storytelling abilities on the track. Music Review site, ''Thomas Bleach'' describes the song as ridiculously catchy, angsty, and an anthem with an electric energy, stating that McRae captures a euphoric catharsis which radiates through the bouncy hook, and the song will have you "ready to run around in a mosh pit while passionately screaming out every word".

Music video

The music video for the song was released on February 11, 2022, and is inspired by the film '' A Chorus Line'' based on the 1975 stage production of the same name. The creative concept for the video was done by McRae and Michelle Dawley. The video features McRae and a group of dancers competing for a role at an audition, with McRae fixating on dancer Bailey Sok, as her main competition. The two battle throughout the audition, making it to the final cut, but ultimately lose out after forgetting their competition and dancing together as friends - which was against the rules. It shows how the other girl is still a good person, and McRae’s friend, despite many modern stereotypes. Caitlin White of ''Uproxx'' remarks that McRae and her rival, along with a colorful ensemble of other dancers, face off on the stage, dancing their way through choreography that mimics the song’s chaotic energy.

Chart performance

The song debuted in the top ten in Ireland, Singapore and Norway, entering just outside the top ten at 11 in Canada. The song also debuted in the top 40 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand and the UK. In the US, the song debuted at 52, becoming McRae's highest debut and fourth charting song.

Live performances

The song was performed live from Los Angeles on February 24 2022 for 'SetTheStage', a brand campaign with Sony. On June 12 2022 it was performed live at the Capital London Summertime Ball. In November 2022, McRae performed the song live at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards. The same month, she also performed the song live at Wetten, dass..?.

Credits and personnel

Song

* Tate McRae – vocals, composer, lyricist
* Greg Kurstin – composer, lyricist, producer, engineer
* Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
* Mark Stent – mixing engineer
* Joey Raya – engineer
* Julian Burg – engineer
* Matt Wolach – assistant engineer

Music video

* Michelle Dawley – director, creative director, choreographer
* Tusk – director, creative director, executive producer, production
* Aiden Magarian – producer
* Cookie Walukas – associate producer
* Max Dean – assistant director
* Justin McWilliams – director of photography
* Bailey Sok – lead dancer
* Jasmine Mason – dancer
* China Taylor – dancer
* Findlay McConnell – dancer
* Emily Crouch – dancer
* Maycee Steele – dancer
* Jade Whitney – dancer
* Deirdre Barnes – choreographer
* Jason Parsons — choreographer actor
* Kathryn McCormick — judge
* Robert Roldan — judge
* Comfort Fedoke — judge
* Courtney Cooper – production designer
* Siena Montesano – Tate styling
* Ryan Richman – Tate McRae hair
* Gilbert Soliz – Tate McRae make-up
* Ann-Marie Hoang – dancer styling
* Elle Reed – dancer hair and make up
* Christa Philippeaux – editor
* Matt Osborne – color
* Marco Tornillo – sound
* Sabrina Rivera – video commissioner

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Tate McRae

2022 singles
2022 songs
Tate McRae songs
RCA Records singles
Songs written by Tate McRae
Songs written by Greg Kurstin
Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin