Tate McRae: I Used to Think I Could Fly Songs Explained

Introduction to Tate McRae and I Used to Think I Could Fly

Tate McRae’s debut studio album, I Used to Think I Could Fly, released in May 2022, consolidates her shift from viral dance content to introspective pop songwriting. Built around intimate journals and real-life turning points, the collection balances vulnerable lyricism with punchy, radio-ready production. This evergreen explainer unpacks the album’s core themes, sequencing, standout tracks, and how it fits into her artistic arc, separating myth from verifiable milestones.

Context: From Shorts Stardom to Full-Length Album

Building a Songwriter Identity

Before I Used to Think I Could Fly, Tate McRae was best known for dance challenges and short-form choreography on social platforms. The album signals a deliberate transition toward authored narratives and emotional specificity. Rather than chasing trends, she frames the record as a snapshot of a year in her life, with songs that address insecurity, ambition, and the friction between teenage dreams and adult realities.

Core Themes and Emotional Arc

Vulnerability as a Throughline

Across the tracklist, vulnerability operates as a unifying theme. McRae often pairs plainspoken language with sharp melodic hooks, allowing specific situations to carry the emotion rather than vague generalizations. Recurring motifs include the exhaustion of performing happiness, the challenge of setting boundaries, and the push-pull of independence versus the desire for guidance. This thematic coherence helps the album avoid the scattershot feel that can afflict debut projects culled from years of singles.

Relationships and Personal Accountability

Many songs center on friendships and romantic dynamics, frequently examining how young people negotiate conflict, apologize poorly, and learn to articulate needs. Rather than positioning herself solely as a wronged party, McRae explores her own contributions to misunderstandings, creating a more credible emotional landscape. This nuanced take on relationships distinguishes the record from more one-sided breakup templates in teen pop.

Track Highlights and Key Songs

• Rubberband: A brisk, kinetic opener that sets the tone for change and movement, using the metaphor of a rubber band to describe fluctuating closeness.
• you lost me at hello: A sun-drenched yet reflective track about recalibrating first impressions and giving new connections room to grow.
• she’s all i wanna be: A genre-bending song that critiques perfectionism and the anxiety of comparison, anchored by a sticky, cascading chorus.
• i used to think i could fly (interlude): A brief pivot that crystallizes the album thesis, marking the shift from naive confidence to earned resilience.
• what would you do?: A piano-led exploration of perspective, asking how people might respond when faced with another’s inner turmoil.
• cate’s brother:: An emotionally detailed narrative about a friend’s older brother, capturing the confusion of a one-sided connection with wry honesty.
• stay away:: A boundary-setting anthem that pairs minimalist production with a candid admission of self-protection.
• feel like shit sometimes:: A direct, almost conversational track that normalizes low days without turning despair into performance.

Musical Style and Production Approach

The album leans into brisk, detail-forward pop constructions that prioritize momentum without sacrificing lyrical clarity. Production choices favor clean vocal presentation, allowing McRae’s phrasing and diction to remain prominent. While certain textures nod to bedroom-pop minimalism and mid-2010s pop sensibilities, the overall palette remains contemporary and streamlined. This balance helps the songs age well, avoiding over-reliance on fleeting sonic trends that can date a record within months.

Commercial and Critical Reception Context

Songwriting Evolution and Artistic Trajectory

From Interpretation to Authorship

Early in her public career, McRae built audiences through choreography and reinterpretation. I Used to Think I Could Fly represents a course correction toward authorship, where her creative control over narrative, melody, and sequencing becomes evident. The move away from reliance solely on trend formats demonstrates intent to build a lasting catalog rather than only capitalizing on viral moments.

Collaborators and Creative Process

While specifics of studio workflows and co-writing credits are documented in liner notes and industry databases, the album consistently reflects a cohesive point of view. This suggests strong editorial direction and a clear artistic vision, with collaborators serving to refine rather than redirect her core voice.

Why the Album Title Remains a Useful Frame

The phrase I Used to Think I Could Fly continues to resonate because it captures a universal transition: outgrowing childhood certainty without losing ambition. For listeners, the title functions as both a personal manifesto and a shared language for recalibrating goals. This durability helps explain the album’s sustained relevance in playlists, recommendations, and long-tail streaming performance years after release.

Conclusion: An Endearment and a Career Milestone

I Used to Think I Could Fly remains a definitive snapshot of Tate McRae’s artistic consolidation, balancing accessibility with emotional depth. Its themes of growth, responsibility, and nuanced relationships ensure lasting relevance for listeners navigating similar transitions. By grounding ambition in verifiable craft, the album establishes a durable foundation for her evolving catalog.