Tate McRae: Songwriting Requires an Open Mind Tate McRae, the 22-year-old pop star, has emphasized the importance of maintaining an "open mind" when approaching songwriting, describing it as essential for creating meaningful and original music. In an interview with Billboard, she explained that songwriting demands a mindset that avoids repetition and embraces fresh perspectives. "You have to think with the most extreme and open mind when you’re writing," she said, adding that otherwise, the work becomes "the most uninspiring." She noted that while many musical elements have been explored before, the key to innovation lies in an artist’s unique viewpoint. McRae highlighted her 2023 single "Greedy" as a pivotal moment in her career, calling it a turning point that provided her with "clarity and direction" as a musician. Reflecting on the song’s significance, she described how it helped her navigate a challenging period in her life. At 19, she felt overwhelmed by the pressures of her singing career, which she found daunting. "Greedy was one of the first times where I had pure clarity and direction on where I wanted to go visually and sonically," she said. She also praised her earlier track "Sports Car," which she called a "fun song to write" and one of her favorites. The artist has expressed admiration for several female musicians, naming Lana Del Rey as her "biggest fan." She also cited Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, and Olivia Dean as influences, praising their honesty and vulnerability in songwriting. "Olivia [Rodrigo] is an unbelievable song-writer," McRae said. "She never fears brutal honesty or laying out all her insecurities or feelings on the table. She’s like that as a friend too—just the most open, honest person.#billboard #rolling_stone #tate_mcrae #lana_del_rey #olivia_rodrido
