what would you do?

Tate McRae's song 'what would you do?' delves into the emotional turmoil and the desire for retribution that can follow a painful breakup or a toxic relationship. The lyrics express a shift from admiration to disillusionment, as the protagonist recounts how they once idolized the person they were with, only to be let down by their true colors. The repeated question 'What would you do?' challenges the other person to imagine the tables turned, to feel the same hurt that they inflicted.

The song's verses paint a picture of a relationship where the protagonist feels undervalued and taken for granted. The biting sarcasm and hypothetical scenarios described in the lyrics suggest a deep frustration with the other person's lack of empathy and accountability. The protagonist is 'sick of how sorry sounds' coming from someone who doesn't seem to mean it, indicating a pattern of insincere apologies and unchanging behavior. The chorus is a powerful ultimatum, questioning the other person's reaction if the protagonist were to leave and enact the same emotional pain they've experienced.

McRae's style often includes raw and relatable lyrics that resonate with listeners going through similar experiences. In 'what would you do?', she captures the complex emotions of wanting to make the other person understand the depth of the hurt they've caused, while also grappling with the loss of what the relationship once meant to them. The song is a cathartic expression of the desire to be seen and the longing for justice in the face of emotional neglect.