Morgan Wallen Can’t Stop Gushing Over Tate McRae and Their Viral No. 1 Hit ‘What I Want’

To some, Tate McRae and Morgan Wallen might seem like an unlikely pairing. One is rooted in pure country storytelling with a gritty edge. The other is a major pop powerhouse known for viral heartbreak anthems. But their new collaboration, “What I Want,” is proof that musical opposites can not only attract, they can dominate.

The single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Wallen’s fourth Hot 100 chart-topper and McRae’s very first. The “Exes” singer topped her previous high with the No. 3 hit “Greedy,” marking a new milestone in her career. This time around, “What I Want” proved to be another hit for the singer, who decided to dive into the country world. Part of Wallen’s long-awaited album “I’m the Problem,” the song leaked a day before its official release, and yet, it still managed to go viral on TikTok and explode across streaming platforms.

“Man, I Just Think She’s Awesome”

For Wallen, this was more than just another chart milestone. The collaboration pushed him out of his comfort zone and into a new creative space. While many fans expected him to pair up with another female artist from the country world, he knew McRae was the right choice for this particular track.

“Man, I just think she’s awesome,” Wallen said in a recent interview with Zane Lowe. “I think nobody’s really doing what she’s doing. She seems like a new age real deal—with dancing, the singing, the type of songs she makes.”

Wallen revealed that “What I Want” was the only song he sent to McRae. He was confident that her voice would bring the track to life. “She was awesome, man,” he added. “She didn’t ask me a lot of questions—‘Hey, can I change this? Can I do that?’ Her range is phenomenal. You can tell… she sang the song that’s written for a duet, and she absolutely crushed it. I can’t say enough great things about her.”

‘What I Want’: A Hit That Transcends Genre

“What I Want” doesn’t just live in one lane. It’s not exclusively country, not strictly pop, it’s a blend that captures the evolving sound of mainstream music. The song appeals to fans across the spectrum, from rural radio stations to TikTok scrollers. It’s proof that the genre-bending appeal has helped it rack up more than 35 million streams in its first week alone.

While the track faces stiff competition from major releases by Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift, Wallen and McRae’s duet continues to hold strong on Spotify, Apple Music, and radio. Its success also highlights a larger trend in music. It proves that genre lines are blurring and fans are embracing it.

Ultimately, “What I Want” isn’t just a hit; it’s a moment. One born out of mutual admiration, fearless collaboration, and the kind of chemistry you can’t fake. Whether it holds at No. 1 or not, it’s already made its mark, and Wallen isn’t shy about who helped him get there.