Signs

Tate McRae

Signs Lyrics

[Verse] Okay, boy That's some kinda crazy Thinkin' we're all good It's the opposite lately I know you're intelligent Just no rocket scientist So take all my silences And do your damn best to figure it out
[Pre-Chorus] That one look means "I wanna go" "I'm not mad" means "You're in trouble" If you know me, boy, you should know You should Say, "I need space," don't look at the door "I hate you" means "I need you more" If I say, "Go have fun, babe," that's just short for
[Chorus] "You should know me better," see the signs Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh If I need your sex, like, quick Said somethin' and now I'm pissed It's like that or it's like this You should know, you should know
[Verse] For God's sake Don't believe a word that I say I wanna touch on you all day Instead I'm pushin' you away So classic Assumin' you're telepathic Okay, it might make me batshit Just doin' it out of habit, oh no
[Pre-Chorus] Say "I need space," don't look at the door "I hate you" means "I need you more" If I say, "Go have fun, babe," that's just short for
[Chorus] "You should know me better," see the signs Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh If I need your sex, like, quick Said somethin' and now I'm pissed It's like that or it's like this You should know, you should know (You should've known) Know me better, see the signs Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind, oh If I need your sex, like, quick Said somethin' and now I'm pissed (Now I'm pissed) It's like that or it's like this (It's like this) You should know, you should know
[Bridge] Know me better Know me better (See the signs) Know me better
[Chorus] If you love me, you should know me better, see the signs Shouldn't have to tell you or whatever, read my mind If I need your sex, like, quick Said somethin' and now I'm pissed (Now I'm pissed) It's like that or it's like this (It's like this) You should know, you should know
[Outro] See the signs Read your mind Now I'm pissed

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About The Track

"Signs" serves as a standout track on the deluxe edition of Tate McRae's album, SO CLOSE TO WHAT???. The song captures the chaotic energy of a relationship defined by mixed signals and unspoken rules. With lyrics like "I hate you means I need you more," McRae perfectly articulates the paradoxical nature of young love, where pushing someone away is often a desperate cry for them to pull you closer. The production complements this tension, blending upbeat pop elements with a lyrical undertone of frustration.

Meaning & Themes

Communication Breakdown

The core theme is the failure to communicate openly. Instead of saying what she feels, the narrator uses "silences" and contradictions, expecting her partner to decode them.

Expectation of Telepathy

The line "Assumin' you're telepathic" acknowledges the absurdity of her behavior. She admits to "doin' it out of habit," realizing that expecting someone to read minds is "batshit" crazy but doing it anyway.

Vulnerability vs. Defense

The song highlights the struggle between wanting intimacy ("wanna touch on you all day") and the defensive reflex to protect oneself ("Instead I'm pushin' you away").