From early emotional demos to standout album tracks, revisit five overlooked Tate McRae songs that showcase her sharp songwriting instincts and vocal range.
Tate McRae has steadily built one of the most compelling pop discographies of her generation, turning raw teenage diary entries into massive arena anthems. When she sat down with Young Hollywood at Wango Tango, the Calgary native reflected on how listeners dissect her complete tracklists rather than simply sticking to the radio singles. "Oh, they'll like rank the album. And then I'm so curious," Tate McRae told Young Hollywood about hearing fan feedback on every single track.
Having published 5 stories about Tate McRae since 2023, Young Hollywood has documented her trajectory from viral dancer to full-fledged pop titan. Creating those expansive records requires intense studio focus, with McRae constantly obsessing over every melody before turning in masters. "I you have to. I mean, I've probably heard every single one of those songs like 300 times," she noted backstage before adding of final deadlines, "Thank God. I need I needed just to be like submit, bye." While her massive hits claim top billing, her catalogue contains hidden standouts that hit just as hard. Watch our full sit-down with Tate McRae below.
rubberband
Released on her 2021 EP too young to be sad, rubberband captures McRae at her most rhythmically inventive. The track relies on a taut, plucky acoustic riff matched with crisp percussion, using the physical tension of snapping elastic as a clean metaphor for emotional relapse. Instead of leaning entirely into a traditional ballad structure, the production bounces with a sharp urban-pop swing.
Her vocal cadence on this track showcases the rhythmic precision she honed as a competitive dancer. Every syllable lands right on the pocket of the beat, proving that McRae can deliver vulnerability without sacrificing groove. It remains an essential showcase of her early stylistic identity.
r u ok
Co-written with hitmakers Bryan Fryzel and Elizabeth Lowell Boland, r u ok flips the standard breakup narrative on its head. The song opens with gentle acoustic picking before bursting into a sassy, syncopated chorus where McRae questions the motives of an ex sliding back into her messages. It avoids melancholy in favor of grounded skepticism.
The track stands out because of its dynamic shift between quiet verses and an explosive middle eight. McRae treats the vocal arrangement like a spoken conversation, layering whispery harmonies over a driving bassline that makes the track instantly memorable.
what would you do?
Tucked into her 2022 debut album i used to think i could fly, what would you do? delivers an energetic dose of pop-punk defiance. Co-penned alongside Alexander 23 and Charlie Puth, the record charges forward on distorted electric guitars and crashing drums, showcasing an aggressive vocal performance distinct from her moody synth-pop roots.
McRae attacks the chorus with genuine grit, pushing her upper register to match the intensity of the live instrumentation. It highlights her versatility as a performer who can step outside dance-pop parameters and command a full rock band setup without missing a beat.
feel like shit
Serving as an early preview of her debut record, feel like shit delivers an unfiltered look at post-breakup exhaustion. Over stark piano chords and minimalist synth pads, McRae sings about the mundane reality of moving on, detailing late-night routines and the simple ache of missing someone during regular everyday moments.
The track gained major traction through its accompanying music video, where McRae performed an intricate contemporary dance routine alongside actor Mason Gooding. The physical performance mirrored the weight of the lyrics, illustrating how deeply her dance background informs her musical output.
chaotic
Balancing out high-tempo arena bops, chaotic serves as one of McRae's most poignant piano ballads. The production strips away gloss and heavy percussion, leaving her voice front and center as she sings about the anxiety of growing up and managing personal expectations.
Her vocal cracks and intimate phrasing give the track a raw, unfinished feel that resonates with listeners navigating their own transitions into adulthood. It acts as an anchor on her debut record, proving that a simple piano and honest lyricism remain her sharpest tools.
As McRae continues to command major festival stages and sell out worldwide tours, revisiting these five tracks demonstrates why her artistry cuts through. Beyond the high-energy singles, her catalogue is filled with bold production choices and thoughtful songwriting that reward anyone willing to listen from track one to the very end.
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