Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae Ignite Music World with Explosive Duet “What I Want”—A Birthday Gift That’s Shocking, Raw, and Unforgettable

**NASHVILLE, TN—** Country superstar Morgan Wallen has never been one to play it safe. But on the eve of his 32nd birthday, he’s taken his boldest leap yet—teaming up with pop phenomenon Tate McRae for a duet that’s already being hailed as the most electrifying collaboration of 2025. Their new single, “What I Want,” drops May 16, and if the feverish buzz is any indication, Wallen and McRae are about to rewrite the rules of country and pop forever.

For Wallen, who’s spent the last decade shattering records and redefining what it means to be a country artist, this moment is more than just another release—it’s a celebration, a risk, and a revelation all rolled into one. And for fans, it’s a birthday gift they never saw coming.

**A SECRET YEARS IN THE MAKING**

The story behind “What I Want” is as surprising as the song itself. The seeds of the collaboration were planted years ago, as Wallen and McRae—two artists from different worlds—quietly admired each other’s work from afar. Wallen, the Tennessee native with a knack for heartbreak anthems and genre-bending hits. McRae, the Canadian-born pop prodigy whose soulful voice and confessional lyrics have made her a global sensation.

“We had been talking about doing a song for a while,” Wallen revealed during an exclusive listening party at his Nashville hotspot, This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen. “For a couple years now, we’ve been fans of what each other was doing and just talked about doing a song. It just hadn’t worked out until now.”

When the stars finally aligned, the result was nothing short of magic. “The song wasn’t originally written for her in mind,” Wallen admitted. “It was written in a [male] key, technically, and she just absolutely crushed every single part of the song. I’m fired up for people to hear it!”

**A DUET THAT DEFIES GENRE**

“What I Want” is more than a duet—it’s a collision of worlds, a song that refuses to fit neatly into any box. Wallen’s signature trap-country sound is here in full force, but it’s McRae’s haunting vocals and pop sensibility that take the track to another level. The chemistry is undeniable, even though the two never recorded together in the studio.

The song tells the story of two people scarred by heartbreak, trying to navigate the fragile space between vulnerability and self-protection. The chorus, already stuck in the heads of those lucky enough to hear it early, is a gut punch:

“She said you don’t want this heart, boy, it’s already broke…
Only stay a couple nights then she gon’ be gone…
I said, baby, you should know that’s what I want.”

It’s a conversation between two souls who want connection but fear the cost—a theme that resonates far beyond the dance floors of Nashville or the playlists of pop radio.

**LISTENING PARTIES AND FAN FRENZY**

At the exclusive listening parties, fans packed into This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen—some traveling hundreds of miles for the chance to hear the song first. The excitement was palpable, with Wallen himself mingling with the crowd, raising a glass to the journey that led him here.

“It’s my birthday, but I wanted to give y’all something special,” Wallen told the crowd, his trademark grin on full display. “This song means a lot to me, and I hope it hits you the way it hit me.”

Reactions ranged from stunned silence to tears to wild cheers. Social media exploded with early reviews, with fans calling the duet “a masterpiece,” “unexpectedly raw,” and “the song of the summer.”

**THE MAKING OF AN ANTHEM**

Behind the scenes, “What I Want” was a labor of love—and a test of creative courage. Wallen and McRae worked remotely, sending tracks and notes back and forth, each pushing the other to dig deeper.

“It was scary at first,” McRae admitted in a behind-the-scenes video. “Morgan’s world is so different from mine, but he made me feel at home. We both came in with our guard up, but by the end, we were just two people telling our truth.”

Wallen echoed the sentiment: “I think people are gonna be surprised by how honest this song is. It’s not about happy endings—it’s about being real, even when it hurts.”

**A NEW ERA FOR WALLEN**

The release of “What I Want” isn’t just a milestone for Wallen—it’s a sign of a new creative chapter. The track serves as the lead single for his upcoming fourth album, *I’m the Problem*, a project that promises to push boundaries and challenge expectations.

“I’m at a point where I want to try new things, work with new people, and tell stories I haven’t told before,” Wallen said. “This album is about owning my mistakes, my heartbreaks, and the things that make me who I am.”

He’s also gearing up for the inaugural *Sand in My Boots Festival* in Gulf Shores, Alabama—a massive event that will bring together fans from across the country for three days of music, sun, and celebration.

**A COLLABORATION THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING**

For McRae, the duet marks her first foray into country music—and a chance to reach a whole new audience. “I grew up listening to all kinds of music, but country always felt a little out of reach,” she said. “Getting to work with Morgan was a dream. He’s fearless, and that made me want to be fearless too.”

Music critics are already predicting that “What I Want” will be one of the breakout hits of the summer, a song that blurs the lines between genres and generations.

**THE FANS ARE READY TO FREAK OUT**

As the clock ticks down to May 16, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Pre-save links are racking up record numbers, and fan theories about the song’s deeper meaning are spreading like wildfire.

On TikTok, fans are already posting covers, reaction videos, and even choreography inspired by the snippets teased online. “This is the collab we didn’t know we needed,” one fan gushed. “Morgan and Tate are about to take over the world.”

**THE FINAL WORD: “WHAT I WANT” IS WHAT WE ALL NEED**

In a year marked by uncertainty and change, “What I Want” is a reminder of the power of music to unite, heal, and surprise us. It’s a song born from risk, honesty, and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

For Morgan Wallen, it’s a birthday gift to his fans—and a promise that the best is yet to come. For Tate McRae, it’s a bold step into new territory. And for the rest of us, it’s the soundtrack to a summer we’ll never forget.

As Wallen himself put it, raising his glass to the crowd: “Here’s to taking chances, telling the truth, and making music that matters. That’s what I want.”

**“What I Want” by Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae drops Friday, May 16, on all streaming platforms. Wallen’s fourth album, *I’m the Problem*, arrives later this year. For festival tickets and more, visit morganwallen.com.**