"That Way" (stylized in all lowercase letters) is a song by Canadian singer Tate McRae, from her debut EP All the Things I Never Said (2020). The song was released as the EPs only promotional single and was written by McRae, Skyler Stonestreet, and Nick Monson and produced by Nick Monson. "That Way" is a minimalist piano ballad.[1] A version of the song featuring American singer Jeremy Zucker was sent to Italian radio on September 9, 2021, as a standalone single.[2]
| "That Way" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Tate McRae | |
| from the EP All the Things I Never Said | |
| Released | September 9, 2021 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 2:55 |
| Label | RCA |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Nick Monson |
| Music video | |
| "That Way" on YouTube | |
Background and release
editMcRae originally previewed first half of the song on YouTube in December 2019.[3] The song was officially released alongside her EP on January 24, 2020.[4] The song was written in late 2018 or early 2019,[5] when McRae was in Grade 10.[6] The song became a sleeper hit, performing moderately on its release but after going viral on TikTok in 2021, due to the lyric "friends don't look at friends that way",[5] the song charted in the UK and Ireland, and was certified Platinum in the US, Gold in Australia, Canada, and Denmark and Silver in the UK. The song has attracted over 470,000 videos on TikTok combined,[7][8][9][10][11] over 202 million views on TikTok on the official sound,[12] and over 370 million streams on Spotify. A remix with Jeremy Zucker was released on September 3, 2021.[13]
Composition and lyrics
editThe song narrates a friendship that becomes more than platonic, but both parties can't act on their mutual attraction for each other. McRae has noted that the song is based on a real experience and is about having a crush on someone you know you would never be with.[6] The song was described by Ashley Osborn of Ones to Watch as the sadder, more mature version of Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me". Osborn remarked that the song expresses sentiments of deeper feelings for a friend matched by unclear signs, resulting in perplexing dejection.[14] The song has also been described as using "heartbreakingly specific lyrics to describe a friendship that always comes tantalizingly close to taking the next step but never does, the friendship itself on life support as it hangs around in an awkward limbo."[15]
Critical reception
editWriting for Ones to Watch, Ashley Osborn remarks that the song is the perfect testament to McRae's incredible ability to express distinct moments of emotional strife through her unique thread of vocal performance.[14] Music review site Ben's Beat describes that the song as one of the most emotional tracks on the EP, noting that McRae's sorrowful vocals are mainly supported by muted percussion hits and slowly moving piano chords, but this suffices, due to the conviction and heartfelt emotion in the song.[15]
Music video
editThe music video featured McRae dancing alone in a room lit with blue light, to her own choreography, in the contemporary dance style.[16] McRae remarked of the video in a press release, "I have multiple sides to me; a lot of layers that people have not yet seen. My dancing is a huge part of my life, so I'm so glad I finally get to create movement to a song that's really personal to me."[17]
Live performances
editMcRae performed the song on Late Night with Seth Meyers on October 14, 2021.[18]
Credits
editCredits adapted from Tidal[19]
- Tate McRae – vocals, composer, lyricist
- Skyler Stonestreet– composer, lyricist
- Nick Monson – producer, composer, lyricist, engineer
- Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
- Dave Cook – mixing engineer
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[20] | 59 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[21] | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[22] | 82 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[23] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[24] | 3× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[25] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[26] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV)[27] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[28] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[29] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[30] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Between Billie Eilish And Olivia Rodrigo, There Was Tate McRae". Stereogum. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "that way". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ friends don't look at friends that way, December 20, 2019, retrieved February 10, 2022
- ^ all the things i never said - EP by Tate McRae, January 24, 2020, retrieved February 10, 2022
- ^ a b Ways, Curious (August 20, 2021). "Digital Cover: Tate McRae". HUNGER TV. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ a b tate mcrae and jeremy zucker talk "that way"!!!!, September 2, 2021, retrieved February 9, 2022
- ^ McRae, Tate. "that way created by Tate McRae | Popular songs on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ mcrae, tate. "that way by tate mcrae created by tate mcrae | Popular songs on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ sounds, vibe. "that way slowed created by vibe sounds | Popular songs on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ 𝑡𝑖𝑘𝑡𝑜𝑘𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑𝑑🦕. "that way created by 𝑡𝑖𝑘𝑡𝑜𝑘𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑𝑑🦕 | Popular songs on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ cali <3. "that way slowed created by cali". TikTok. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Songstats. "Songstats - Music Data Analytics for Artists & Labels". Songstats. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ that way by Tate McRae & Jeremy Zucker, September 3, 2021, retrieved February 10, 2022
- ^ a b "Pop Prodigy Tate McRae Shares Her Coming-of-Age Story in 'all the things i never said' / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ a b bensbeat (January 27, 2020). "Tate McRae – all the things i never said EP". Ben's Beat - Music Reviews. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Tate McRae Will Blow You Away With Epic Dance Moves In Her New Music Video". Elite Daily. March 19, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "TATE MCRAE RELEASES PERFORMANCE VIDEO FOR "THAT WAY" TODAY – Sony Music Canada". www.sonymusic.ca. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Tate McRae Is Emotional For Her Late Night Performance Of 'That Way'". UPROXX. October 16, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "all the things I never said credits". TIdal. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 23" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Tate McRae – That Way" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Tate McRae – That Way". Music Canada. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Tate McRae – That Way". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 5, 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter That Way in the search box.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Tate McRae – That Way". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Tate McRae – That Way". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Tate McRae – That Way". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 25, 2021.