“Slower” by Tate McRae

Tate’s “Slower” is a complex song, or perhaps rather we can say a mature one for someone who hasn’t even reached 18 years old yet. Logically, the singer would be addressing she’s romantically connected to. And as the title suggests, she advocates the idea of the two of them moving “slower” in their relationship. 

That is to say the vocalist understands that she especially has not reached an ideal age to engage in a serious relationship. But in terms of all of her feelings related to the romance, the situation isn’t that cut-and-dried.

Rather, the matter at hand is resulting in her suffering from a notable degree of inner turmoil. First and foremost, she perceives that as times progresses she is also changing. Or more to the point, there is a very good possibility that she will develop into someone whom her current sweetheart can no longer relate to. And coming to this realization is in fact prompting the singer to move at a decelerated pace with her partner.

But simultaneously we can also conclude that there is a lust – for lack of a better word – factor involved. After all, these are teenagers we’re talking about. And the singer admits that she has been “falling fast” for the addressee, her romantic interest. 

Indeed the very first line of the song reads “playing cool makes me lose my mind”. So again this is a mature young lady, exercising self-control in the name of the greater good. But doing so is not easy, apparently based on the aforementioned line even on a hormonal level.

Climax

The song eventually climaxes with her reasserting the suggestion that she and her boyfriend “could take it slower”. And yes, this is a suggestion, not a command. For we can even conclude by saying that given her dilemma, if the addressee still decides to move fast regardless she may not have the wherewithal to resist him. But if he does decide to do so, based on what she’s predicting, he will probably end up getting his heart broken in the long run. And she also recognizes, as noted in the pre-chorus, that there is a risk of her suffering a similar fate.

Facts about “Slower”

RCA released this track on 3 March 2021. Up until this point, Tate McRae has only released one musical project, 2020’s “All the Things I Never Said”. And this song is a part of her second EP, which is entitled “Too Young to Be Sad”.

Prior to the release of this particular song, two other tracks from the EP – “R U OK” (2020) and “Rubberband” (2021) – have also been released.

Tate has dropped quite a few singles altogether though, dating back to 2017. The most successful between now and then was “You Broke Me First” (2020), which reached number three in the UK Singles Chart and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.

In addition to laying down the vocals, Tate also served as one of the co-writers of “Slower”. In fact she wrote it when she was but 14 years old and throughout the years that transpired in between grew to hate it. However, she had ample assistance and encouragement in finally finishing the song, composing the tune alongside the following:

• Zoë Moss
• Zack Zadek
• Russ Chell
• Sir Nolan

Tate McRae

Tate McRae is a singer from Canada. She has been professionally active on the music scene since 2017 which, considering she was born in 2003, was well into her childhood. In fact upon the release of “Slower” she is still considered to be underaged in many places, being 17 years old at the time.

Tate has been dancing competitively from an even earlier age, prior to embarking on a music career. In fact it was via her dancing skills and the popularity derived thereof which greatly attributed to McRae getting her foot in the door of the music industry. 

But this is not to imply that she doesn’t actually possess musical skills. To the contrary, in 2019 she was signed by RCA Records, one of the biggest labels in the game. Also during the month in which “Slower” was dropped, she was officially named an “Up Next” (i.e. up-and-coming) artist by Apple Music.