Introduction: A Pop Anthem of Frustration and Vulnerability
"Signs" by Tate McRae from the album So Close To What is an emotional and captivating pop anthem that takes listeners on a journey through the complex nuances of communication and relationships. The track opens with an atmospheric, spaced-out vibe, creating a stripped-back yet intimate backdrop for McRae's raw vocals. The contrast between the slower, emotional verses and the fast, anthemic chorus reflects the inner turmoil and frustration she expresses. The production feels both personal and ready for a pop stage, a signature of McRae's rising status as a pop star.
Verse 1: Miscommunication and Emotional Distance
In the first verse, Tate directly addresses the confusion in her relationship, calling out her partner's inability to read the signs that should be obvious. The lyrics, "That's some kinda crazy / Thinkin' we're all good, it's the opposite lately," reveal the dissonance between surface-level appearances and underlying emotions. McRae’s voice remains vulnerable yet strong, reflecting the frustration of not being understood, while the song builds in momentum toward the pre-chorus, where the communication gaps are further highlighted.
Pre-Chorus and Chorus: Anthemic Expression of Frustration
The pre-chorus and chorus are where McRae shines in her ability to balance vulnerability with anthemic power. Lines like "That one look means 'I wanna go' / 'I'm not mad' means 'You're in trouble'" play on the theme of miscommunication, while the chorus explodes with the assertion that her partner should be able to understand her without needing to spell everything out. The production swells in the chorus, making it feel like a perfect pop moment, primed for a dance break. The juxtaposition of her softer delivery in the verses with the high-energy chorus creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience.
Verse 2: The Push-Pull Dynamic
In the second verse, McRae continues to explore her frustration, admitting to her own complexities as she pushes her partner away while wanting the opposite. "For God's sake, don't believe a word that I say / I wanna touch on you all day," she sings, encapsulating the push-pull dynamic that many listeners can relate to. Her vulnerability shines through, and the production builds upon the tension between wanting closeness and maintaining distance.
Tate McRae Signs Review A Standout Pop Track
"Signs" is a standout track that showcases Tate McRae's ability to blend introspective lyricism with powerful pop production. It’s a song that balances emotional complexity with infectious energy, making it both relatable and ready for mainstream success. McRae continues to prove why she is one of pop's rising stars, offering a perfect blend of vulnerability, frustration, and empowerment in this emotionally charged anthem.
Listen to Tate McRae Signs
Tate McRae Signs Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Signs by Tate McRae is a reflection of the complexities and frustrations inherent in communication within relationships. The song delves into the emotional disconnect that can arise when one partner struggles to understand the unspoken cues and subtle signals of the other. McRae navigates the tension between what is said and what is truly felt, highlighting the challenges of indirect communication and the expectations of emotional understanding. Through her lyrics, she expresses the desire for her partner to intuitively read her mind, yet also reveals the inner turmoil that comes with the contradictions of wanting closeness while pushing someone away.
Introduction to Emotional Disconnect
"Signs" by Tate McRae explores the complexities of communication in relationships, particularly when emotions are difficult to express directly. The song begins with McRae confronting her partner about their deteriorating relationship: "Okay, boy / That's some kinda crazy / Thinkin' we're all good / It's the opposite lately". These opening lines set the tone, revealing that despite her partner’s belief that things are fine, McRae feels the opposite. The emotional disconnect between them is clear, and it’s evident that he’s not picking up on her unspoken feelings.
Challenge of Understanding Silent Signals
In the next section, McRae challenges her partner’s intellect in a more metaphorical sense, saying, "I know you're intelligent / Just no rocket scientist / So take all my silences / And do your damn best to figure it out." This line references the idea that while her partner may be smart, understanding her emotional cues should be a task within his reach. The use of "rocket scientist" implies that while deciphering her emotional silences may not require genius-level intelligence, it still requires sensitivity and effort. The silence she refers to isn’t an absence of communication but a more subtle, emotional signal that she expects him to recognize and understand.
Indirect Communication and Emotional Complexity
The pre-chorus further explores McRae’s indirect communication style: "That one look means 'I wanna go' / 'I'm not mad' means 'You're in trouble' / If you know me, boy, you should know, you should". Here, McRae points out the layers of meaning in her words and actions that her partner should be able to interpret. A single glance or phrase like "I'm not mad" carries deeper significance, and if he truly understands her, these signals should be enough to gauge her feelings. Similarly, the line "Say 'I need space,' don't look at the door / 'I hate you' means 'I need you more' / If I say, 'Go have fun, babe,' that's just short" highlights the contradictions in her communication. What she says isn't always a reflection of what she feels, and McRae expects her partner to understand this emotional complexity.
Frustration and Desire for Understanding
The chorus further emphasizes McRae's frustration with her partner’s inability to pick up on her subtle cues. "For 'You should know me better,' see the signs / Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh" conveys her desire for her partner to intuitively understand her needs without her having to explicitly say them. She’s upset that she must clarify things that should be obvious to him, such as the tone and context of her words, including more intimate moments: "If I need your sex, like quick / Said somethin' and now I'm pissed / It's like that or it's like this / You should know, you should know." This duality between emotional frustration and physical desire captures the tension in the relationship, where McRae’s feelings are both conflicting and complex.
Push-Pull Dynamic and Final Plea for Connection
In the second verse, McRae expresses the habitual push-pull dynamic of her emotions: "For God's sake / Don't believe a word that I say / I wanna touch on you all day / Instead I'm pushin' you away." This shows her inner turmoil—she craves closeness but her actions push her partner away, highlighting the disconnect she feels. "So classic / Assumin' you telepathic / Okay, it might make me batshit / Just doin' it out of habit, oh no" reveals her frustration with the assumption that her partner should be able to read her mind, despite knowing that this expectation may be unreasonable. She recognizes that her behavior may seem erratic, yet she continues acting out of habit, even though it conflicts with her true feelings.
Call for Understanding and Frustration
The bridge reiterates McRae’s emotional plea for understanding: "Know me better / Know me better (See the signs) / Know me better." This section is a straightforward call for emotional connection—she wants her partner to truly know her, beyond the surface-level communication. The outro echoes this sentiment as McRae grows more frustrated: "See the signs / Read my mind / Now I'm pissed." Her patience has worn thin, and after all the subtle cues, she’s reached a breaking point, expressing anger that her partner still doesn’t fully understand her.
Emotional Complexity in Relationships
"Signs" is a song about the emotional complexities of relationships, highlighting the struggles of indirect communication. McRae uses clever lyricism to convey the frustration of wanting to be understood without having to explicitly express every emotion. The song reflects the delicate balance between vulnerability and the expectation that a partner should intuitively understand emotional needs. McRae’s lyrics explore how miscommunication and emotional disconnect can strain a relationship, with both conflicting desires and unspoken feelings creating an intense, complex dynamic.
Tate McRae Signs Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Okay, boy
That's some kinda crazy
Thinkin' we're all good
It's the opposite lately
I know you're intelligent
Just no rocket scientist
So take all my silences
And do your damn best to figure it out
[Pre-Chorus]
That one look means "I wanna go"
"I'm not mad" means "You're in trouble"
If you know me, boy, you should know, you should
Say, "I need space," don't look at the door
"I hate you" means "I need you more"
If I say, "Go have fun, babe," that's just short
[Chorus]
For "You should know me better," see the signs
Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh
If I need your sex, like, quick
Said somethin' and now I'm pissed
It's like that or it's like this
You should know, you should know
[Verse 2]
For God's sake
Don't believe a word that I say
I wanna touch on you all day
Instead I'm pushin' you away
So classic
Assumin' you telepathic
Okay, it might make me batshit
Just doin' it out of habit, oh no
[Pre-Chorus]
Say "I need space," don't look at the door
"I hate you" means "I need you more"
If I say, "Go have fun, babe," that's just short
[Chorus]
For "You should know me better," see the signs
Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh
If I need your sex like quick
Said somethin' and now I'm pissed
It's like that or it's like this
You should know, you should know (You should've known)
Know me better, see the signs
Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh
If I need your sex like quick
Said somethin' and now I'm pissed
It's like that or it's like this
You should know, you should know
[Bridge]
Know me better
Know me better (See the signs)
Know me better
[Chorus]
If you love me, you should know me better, see the signs
Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind
If I need your sex like quick
Said somethin' and now I'm pissed
It's like that or it's like this
You should know, you should know
[Outro]
See the signs
Read my mind
Now I'm pissed