Tate McRae teased the song's lyrics and its release date on Twitter prior to its release, and also uploaded a snippet of the song on TikTok. In an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music, in explaining the concept of the song, she remarked, "there's this thing when people get addicted to something or they're trying to overcome it, they have little fidgets, something that they do to distract themselves. And a lot of people actually put rubber bands on their wrist and snap it when they want something, and I thought it was a really cool concept to think about it in a love perspective."
Sarah Jamieson of DIY described the song as a "slick but pulsating effort" and noted that it showcases McRae's "astute talent for creating modern heartbreak anthems". Bailey Slater of Wonderland described the track as a replay worthy bop which showcases McRae's "silky smooth vocal range and masterful way with words in equal measure". Laura Freyaldenhoven of music site, 'WhentheHornBlows' remarked that the song combines "atmospheric beats with disarming vocals" and "thrills with an intoxicating kind of vulnerability", further stating that the "glass ceilings made of of glistening synths layered over a gentle bassline wrap Tate’s delicate lyricism into a soothing soundscape that feels intimate yet distinctly cinematic as she recalls coping with the end of a relationship". Emma Holbrook of music magazine The Forty-Five described the song as emotionally charged synth pop with an unbelievably catchy hook and remarked that the song fuses "bone-deep synths and a beat that snaps abruptly like a rubberband against your wrist, with the guilt and longing and pain you feel when you’re protecting someone else."
rubberband
Tate McRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sneakin' out of the window, spendin' nights in limbo
Was that all there was for us?
Midnight drivin', runnin' through highland
Does it make me a criminal?
That I let you go, that I broke us and left
I hate that I never know
Why you're still so caught up in my head
I know you wanted a promise
I wasn't ready, can I be honest?
Never knew what I had until I lost it
And I got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
And I snap it every time that I think about your lips
Got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
Almost break it every time when I'm trying to forget
I know that I have never been good at this
Love you in a second, next you know I'm checking out
Of moments I shouldn't miss
Now I'm looking through the photos, wishin' I was different
And I got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
And I snap it every time that I think about your lips
Got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
Almost break it every time when I'm trying to forget
Trying to forget (trying to forget)
(Trying to forget)
(Trying to forget)
I know you wanted a promise
I wasn't ready, can I be honest?
Never knew what I had until I lost it
And I got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
And I snap it every time that I think about your lips
Got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
Almost break it every time when I'm trying to forget
Trying to forget
(Trying to forget)
(Trying to forget)
Mm
Trying to forget (trying to forget)
(Trying to forget)
Trying to forget
In "Rubberband," Tate McRae reflects on a past relationship that ended badly. The song's lyrics suggest that the relationship was unhealthy from the beginning, with the two sneaking out of the window and spending nights in limbo - never sure where the relationship was headed. The singer wonders if it was all a waste of time and questions if she's a criminal for breaking up with her partner.
McRae admits that she wasn't ready for the commitment her partner wanted and feels guilty about not being able to give them what they wanted. She reflects on the moments she missed in the relationship, now looking through photos and wishing she had done things differently. The rubber band on her wrist is a symbol of her attempts to forget about her ex-partner. Every time she thinks of them, she snaps the rubber band, almost breaking it.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the hard feelings that can come from a failed relationship. McRae admits to her faults but ultimately tries to move on and forget about her ex-partner. The rubber band on her wrist is a constant reminder of her past and struggles to let it go.
Line by Line Meaning
Was it a wasted couple months?
I'm questioning if our relationship was a waste of time.
Sneakin' out of the window, spendin' nights in limbo
We used to sneak out and hang out, but now I feel stuck in my emotions.
Was that all there was for us?
I'm wondering if that was the extent of what our relationship was supposed to be.
Midnight drivin', runnin' through highland
We used to go on drives through the night and explore, but now I feel lost.
Does it make me a criminal?
I feel guilty for letting you go and ending our relationship.
That I let you go, that I broke us and left
I'm acknowledging that I was the one who ended our relationship and left you.
I hate that I never know
I'm frustrated that I still don't have closure or a clear understanding of why things ended.
Why you're still so caught up in my head
I'm trying to understand why I can't stop thinking about you and move on.
I know you wanted a promise
You wanted commitment from me.
I wasn't ready, can I be honest?
I wasn't prepared or willing to commit at that time.
Never knew what I had until I lost it
I realized too late that I took you for granted and now I regret it.
And I got this rubber band on my wrist, on my wrist
I wear a rubber band on my wrist as a reminder of you and our memories.
And I snap it every time that I think about your lips
I snap the rubber band every time I reminisce about kissing you.
Almost break it every time when I'm trying to forget
I want to forget about you, but every time I try I'm reminded of our past and tempted to hold onto it.
I know that I have never been good at this
I admit that I'm bad at letting go and moving on from romantic relationships.
Love you in a second, next you know I'm checking out
I fall in love quickly, but then I lose interest and distance myself just as easily.
Of moments I shouldn't miss
I regret letting go of moments in our relationship that I now wish I had appreciated more.
Now I'm looking through the photos, wishin' I was different
I'm reminiscing about our past through old photos and wishing I had acted differently in our relationship.
Trying to forget
I'm struggling to let go of our relationship and move on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew Goldstein, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Natalie Anne Salomon, Tate McRae, Victoria Zaro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnniesofficial669
Being a young woman in the music industry isn’t easy everyone! So please, positive comments only…and if there isn’t any..then, 🤫. Congrats Tate!! I’ve been seeing you escalate to higher states of life and I am so proud to call you one of my newest favorite… 🥁 roll please???
Artist!! 🎉
Thank you Tate!
-Johnnie
@TateMcRae
THINK LATER OUT NOW☆™
https://tatemcrae.lnk.to/THINKLATER
@dr.hasmahshaukat3502
Yesssss
@user-ot1uj3bj2y
❤
@jesussaves852
Jesus loves you and may God bless you ...
@user-ot1uj3bj2y
❤
@user-ot1uj3bj2y
❤
@7clouds
Tate, our queen <3
@StixFigurez
YESSSS
@Julieroseplays
THE ONE AND ONLY! 😌💅❤️
@azuremcrae4391
YES