Tate McRae’s latest single Sports Car roars onto the pop scene with a clever mix of suggestive metaphors and polished production.
Released on January 24, 2025, and co-written with Julia Michaels and Ryan Tedder, the song blends adrenaline-fueled metaphors with intimate, playful lyrics, encapsulating 2000s pop.
And the accompanying music video? A visual spectacle of high fashion and evolving identity.
Tate McRae Sports Car Lyrics: Decoding the Symbolism
Sports Car uses the vehicle as a metaphor for liberation and living in the moment.
McRae’s lyrics, like “We can share one seat” and “Boy, don’t make me choose,” capture the exhilaration of an unrestrained connection.
The song’s recurring imagery ties romance to the thrill of a fast-paced ride, unburdened by expectations.
Speaking about the track, McRae noted, “We wanted to capture the adrenaline of love, sex, and the excitement of it all. The sports car just felt like the perfect symbol for that feeling.”
The chorus is unapologetically as it distills the song’s energy:
“I think you know what this is, / No, you ain’t got no Mrs., / Oh, but you got a sports car.”
This playful yet provocative refrain reflects McRae’s ability to balance cheekiness with emotional resonance.
Lines like “We can uh-uh in it / While you drive it real far” keep the song grounded in its flirtatious tone, while moments like “Pretty blue streetlights / And my hazel eyes” add a cinematic touch.
The track’s bridge, with its repeated “Oh my guy / You don’t wanna waste my time,” shifts into a gear that demands attention, illustrating McRae’s confident grasp on her artistic narrative.
The Production of Sports Car: Under the Hood
Produced by Ryan Tedder and Grant Boutin, Sports Car uses minimalist yet impactful production to amplify its themes.
Whispered “illegal” echoes at the start of the track set a sultry tone, while a bass-heavy groove lays the foundation for McRae’s intimate vocals.
“We referenced the Ying Yang Twins with the whisper chorus,” McRae told Vogue, showcasing how the team modernised this nostalgic element.
This deliberate simplicity allows McRae’s voice to command attention, especially during the bridge and chorus, creating a soundscape that’s as compelling as it is memorable.
Tate McRae Sports Car Music Video: A Bold Visual Narrative
The Sports Car music video, directed by Bardia Zeinali, takes a high-fashion approach, with McRae exploring multiple personas.
Styled by Brett Alan Nelson, the visuals feature wigs and avant-garde outfits, representing her artistic evolution.
“This was my first time wearing wigs,” McRae shared. “It pushed me to explore characters I didn’t know I had. The video felt like a way to take control of my narrative.”
The concept—positioning McRae as both observer and observed—mirrors themes of control, perception, and self-discovery, adding depth to the song’s narrative.
Fan Reception and Cultural Impact
Since its release, Sports Car has resonated with fans for its fusion of nostalgic and innovative elements.
This track sets the stage for her upcoming album So Close to What, hinting at a bolder, more experimental era for the artist.
With 2 hands and its ok im ok paving the way, Sports Car solidifies McRae’s position in pop’s fast lane.
Fans can look forward to experiencing the track live during her Miss Possessive Tour, where it’s sure to be a standout moment.
And this track demonstrates her ability to balance commercial appeal with creative risk-taking, suggesting she’s ready to claim her space in pop’s fast lane.
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Tate McRae Sports car Lyrics
Intro
(Illegal)
(Illegal)
Verse 1
Hey, cute jeans
Take mine off me
Oh, golly gee
I can’t take no more, I’m goin’ weak in my knees
Where’d you put those keys?
We can share one seat
We can share one seat
Pre-Chorus
In the alley, in the back
In the center of this room
With the windows rolled down
Boy, don’t make me choose
In the alley, in the back
In the center of this room
With the windows rolled down
Boy, don’t makе me choose
Chorus
I think you know what this is
I think you wanna uh
No, you ain’t got no Mrs.
Oh, but you got a sports car
We can uh-uh in it
Whilе you drive it real far
Yeah, you know what this is
Yeah, you know what this is
Verse 2
Pretty blue streetlights
And my hazel eyes
And if it feels right
We could go again like three, four times
So my type
Got butterflies
So good it hurts
Thinkin’ ’bout what we did before this verse
Pre-Chorus
On the corner of my bed
Oh, and maybe on the beach
You could do it on your own
While you’re lookin’ at me
Chorus
I think you know what this is
I think you wanna uh (Think you)
No, you ain’t got no Mrs.
Oh, but you got a sports car
We can uh-uh in it (We can uh)
While you drive it real far
Yeah, you know what this is
Yeah, you know what this is
I think you know what this is (Oh)
I think you wanna uh (You wanna)
No, you ain’t got no Mrs.
Oh, but you got a sports car
We can uh-uh in it (Uh-uh, uh-uh, mm)
While you drive it real far
Yeah, you know what this is
Yeah, you know what this is
Bridge
Oh my guy
You don’t wanna waste my time (My time)
Let’s go ride (Let’s go)
Let’s go ride (Come on)
Oh my guy
You don’t wanna waste my time (No)
Let’s go ride
Let’s go ride
Outro
I think you wanna, wanna (Oh)
But you got a sports car (Oh)
While you drive it real far
(Ah) Yeah, you know what this is
