Morgan Wallen And Tate McRae's "What I Want": Examining The Criticism And Public Reaction

5 min read Post on May 29, 2025

Musical Style and Genre Blending Criticism

The collaboration between Wallen and McRae presented an immediate challenge: blending country and pop genres without alienating either fanbase.

Genre Expectations

The inherent clash of expectations fueled much of the initial criticism. Many country fans, accustomed to Wallen's traditional country sound, expressed disappointment with the song's pop leanings. Conversely, some pop fans felt the song lacked the innovative energy they expected from McRae.

"This sounds nothing like Morgan's usual stuff!" – A common sentiment on social media platforms.
"Tate deserved a better production for her vocals." – Another recurring criticism among McRae's fanbase.
The song's production attempted to bridge this gap by incorporating elements of both genres, using a driving pop beat alongside Wallen's characteristically soulful vocals and some subtle country instrumentation. However, this approach proved divisive.

Songwriting Critique

The lyrical content, melody, and overall songwriting of "What I Want" received mixed reviews. While some praised its relatable themes of longing and desire, others found the lyrics cliché or uninspired. The melody, while catchy to some, was criticized by others for being too simplistic or predictable.

"The lyrics are so generic, it feels like I've heard this song a million times before." – A representative negative comment.
"The chorus is incredibly addictive, though! I can't stop singing it." – A counterpoint reflecting positive reception.
The interplay between Wallen's and McRae's vocals was a point of contention, with some feeling the blend worked seamlessly, while others felt the voices clashed.

Public Reception and Social Media Sentiment

The release of "What I Want" saw a fascinating dichotomy in public reaction, playing out vividly across social media platforms.

Initial Hype and Anticipation

The announcement of the collaboration itself generated considerable excitement. Fans of both artists expressed anticipation, leading to a significant pre-release buzz.

Trending hashtags on Twitter and TikTok showcased the initial positive anticipation.
Pre-release snippets and promotional material fueled the excitement, creating a sense of anticipation among fans.

Negative Reactions and Backlash

Despite the initial enthusiasm, the song's release was followed by a wave of negative reactions, primarily visible on social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

Many critics pointed to the perceived generic nature of the lyrics and melody.
Others criticized the mixing and mastering of the song, noting that the vocals felt unbalanced in parts.
The negative feedback often revolved around the feeling that the song failed to live up to the hype generated by the collaboration.

Comparison to Previous Work

Analyzing "What I Want" in the context of both artists' discographies reveals further insights into the criticism.

Wallen's Discography

"What I Want" represents a notable departure from Wallen's predominantly country-focused discography. While his past work shows versatility, the pop elements in "What I Want" are more pronounced, leading some fans to feel it strays too far from his established style.

Comparison to songs like "Whiskey Glasses" and "Chasin' You" highlights the difference in musical style and lyrical themes.
The song's production leans heavily towards pop elements, lacking the raw instrumentation prominent in Wallen’s earlier work.

McRae's Discography

For McRae, "What I Want" is a more stylistic continuation of her pop career. Although it might not be considered her most groundbreaking work, it aligns more closely with her existing discography than with Wallen’s.

Compared to songs like "Reckless" and "stupid," "What I Want" maintains the emotional depth and melodic hooks.
However, some critics argue that the collaboration didn't push either artist's creativity beyond their existing comfort zones.

The Impact of Artists' Public Images

The artists' individual public images played a significant role in shaping the public's reception of "What I Want."

Wallen's Past Controversies

Wallen's past controversies undoubtedly influenced the way some listeners perceived the song. Past criticisms regarding his behavior cast a shadow on the project for a segment of the audience.

McRae's Image

Conversely, McRae's generally positive public image helped mitigate some of the negative feedback. Her established fanbase largely remained supportive, even if some expressed disappointment with the song itself.

Conclusion

Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae's "What I Want" elicited a complex and multifaceted response. The song’s attempt at genre blending, its lyrical content, and the artists' respective public images all played a role in shaping both positive and negative reactions. The diverse opinions, reflected strongly across social media platforms, highlight the subjective nature of music criticism and the impact of pre-release anticipation.

What are your thoughts on "Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae's 'What I Want' "? Do you think the criticism was justified? Did the song live up to the hype? Share your perspective in the comments below! Let's continue the conversation about this intriguing country-pop collaboration. The evolution of music criticism in the digital age is constantly shaped by these sorts of collaborations and their reactions. What will the future hold?