What I Want

Morgan Wallen & Tate McRae

Lyrics

Chorus She said, "You don't want this heart, boy, it's already broke" Told me everything she touch just goes up in smoke Only stay a couple nights, then she gon' be gone I said, "Baby, you should know that's what I want"
Post-Chorus That's what I want, that's what I want That's what I want, that's what I want, that's what I want What I want
Verse Nah, you ain't gotta worry 'bout no trust issues with me I got 'em too, I got 'em too Nah, you ain't gotta worry 'bout no exes that's crazy I got 'em too, you know I do
Pre-Chorus If you're in a hurry Nah, you ain't gonna hurt me tonight And it won't be the worst thing If this is all it is, and in the middle of a kiss
Chorus She said, "You don't want this heart, boy, it's already broke" Told me everything she touch just goes up in smoke Only stay a couple nights, then she gon' be gone I said, "Baby, you should know that's what I want"
Post-Chorus That's what I want, that's what I want (That's what I want) That's what I want, that's what I want, that's what I want (That's what I want) That's what I want (Oh)
Verse There are no hard feelings if you only wanna act like lovers do For a night or two (Oh, oh yeah) And sometimes in the mornin', go back to bein' someone you never knew (Hey, yeah) You never knew
Pre-Chorus Baby, don't you worry You ain't gonna hurt me tonight It won't be the worst thing If this is how it is (I said), then he (She) kissed me again
Chorus And said, "You don't want this heart, boy, it's already broke" Told me everything she touch just goes up in smoke Only stay a couple nights then she gon' be gone I said, "Baby, you should know that's what I want" (What I want) She said, "You don't want this heart, no, it can't be fixed" (Ah, yeah) And I ain't ready to try on a night like this But if you still wanna stay, there ain't nothin' wrong (No, there's nothin' wrong) I said, "Baby, you should know that's what I want"
Post-Chorus That's what I want, that's what I want That's what I want, that's what I want, that's what I want (Ooh) That's what I want, hey, yeah, yeah, oh That's what I want, that's what I want, that's what I want (Ooh; Mm, yeah) That's what I want (Hey, yeah, uh)
Outro That's what I want, that's what I want

About

"What I Want" is a compelling collaboration between country superstar Morgan Wallen and pop sensation Tate McRae. Featured on the project I’m The Problem, the song bridges the gap between Nashville storytelling and modern pop production. Written alongside Joe Reeves, the track showcases the vocal chemistry between Wallen's gritty baritone and McRae's emotive, breathy tone.

The song tackles the complexities of modern dating, specifically the "situationship" dynamic where both partners carry emotional baggage from previous relationships. Instead of seeking a cure for their heartbreak, they find solace in a temporary, no-strings-attached connection.

Meaning

Lyrically, "What I Want" flips the traditional love song narrative. The female perspective (McRae) warns the male protagonist that she is "already broke" and destructive ("everything she touch just goes up in smoke"). However, the male response (Wallen) is one of acceptance rather than a desire to "fix" her.

  • Mutual Brokenness
    The lines "Nah, you ain't gotta worry 'bout no trust issues with me / I got 'em too" establish an equal playing field. Both characters are damaged, removing the pressure for perfection.
  • Acceptance of the Temporary
    The chorus emphasizes that the fleeting nature of the relationship—"Only stay a couple nights"—is exactly what is desired. It validates the feeling that sometimes, people aren't ready for "forever," just for "tonight."
  • Emotional Honesty
    Unlike many songs that romanticize fixing a broken partner, "What I Want" is brutally honest about emotional unavailability, making it highly relatable to a generation navigating complex dating landscapes.

Q&A

What is the meaning of 'What I Want' by Morgan Wallen & Tate McRae?
The song is about two people with "trust issues" and emotional baggage agreeing to a short-term, physical relationship without the pressure of commitment or fixing each other's broken hearts.
Who wrote the song?
It was co-written by the artists Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae, along with songwriter Joe Reeves.
Is there a music video?
While there isn't a high-budget cinematic video yet, official visualizers and lyric videos are available on YouTube to accompany the track.
What album is this song on?
"What I Want" is listed as a track on the album I’m The Problem.
What genre is this song?
It blends Country Pop with Alternative Pop/Rock elements, merging Wallen's country style with McRae's pop sensibilities.