She's All I Wanna Be

McRae launched a TikTok campaign for the song which involved teasing it in multiple videos beginning on December 11, 2021^[3] till its release in February. She also made duets with multiple videos of other TikTok users to the song,^[4] and showcased part of the choreography for the official music video in a TikTok which attracted over 5 million views.^[5] She announced the release date on March 28, 2022, and noted that she went through 29 different mixes for the song.^[6]

"She's All I Wanna Be" is an up-tempo pop rock song with elements of synth-pop^[7] and alt-pop.^[8] The song describes feelings of jealousy towards a woman who seems to have it all, including the interest of McRae's significant other, who attempts to convince McRae that the woman poses no threat. Rachel Brodsky of Stereogum remarks that the song addresses "everyday gaslighting by a love interest who tells you their perfect-seeming female bestie is nothing to worry about".^[9] McRae has stated that the song was inspired by feelings of envy and self-loathing brought about by scrolling through social media.^[10] She also notes that song was originally written as a ballad, and was later reworked to "give it some upbeat punk energy".^[10] Additionally, the original demo vocals recorded for the ballad version were retained in the final released track.^[11]

The song received widespread critical acclaim. Writing for Uproxx Caitlin White wrote that "even though the song is just ostensibly just as sad as plenty of Tate’s other hits, it gets a pop-punk guitar, some glittering synths, and heavy percussion to elevate it from sad girl anthem into actual anthem."^[7] Carolyn Droke of Uproxx also notes that the song solidifies McRae's pop star status.^[12] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times remarks that McRae's "dry, wiry voice is well suited to the convincingly mopey and skittish punk-pop thumper about envy".^[13] Notion notes that McRae showcases her moving storytelling abilities on the track.^[14]

The music video for the song was released on February 11, 2022, and is inspired by the film A Chorus Line based on the 1975 stage production of the same name.^[15] The creative concept for the video was done by McRae and Michelle Dawley.^[16] The video features McRae and a group of dancers competing for a role at an audition, with McRae fixating on dancer Bailey Sok, as her main competition. The two battle throughout the audition, making it to the final cut, but ultimately lose out after forgetting their competition and dancing together as friends - which was against the rules. It shows how the other girl is still a good person, and McRae's friend, despite many modern stereotypes. Caitlin White of Uproxx remarks that McRae and her rival, along with a colorful ensemble of other dancers, face off on the stage, dancing their way through choreography that mimics the song's chaotic energy.^[17]

The song debuted in the top ten in Ireland, Singapore and Norway, entering just outside the top ten at 11 in Canada. The song also debuted in the top 40 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, New Zealand and the UK. In the US, the song debuted at 52, becoming McRae's highest debut, at the time and fourth charting song.^[18]

The song was performed live from Los Angeles on February 24, 2022, for 'SetTheStage', a brand campaign with Sony.^[19] On June 12, 2022, it was performed live at Capital's Summertime Ball in London.^[20] In November 2022, McRae performed the song live at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards.^[21] The same month, she also performed the song live at Wetten, dass..?.^[22]