what's your problem?

Overall Meaning:
"what's your problem?" is a candid expression of frustration directed at a partner or friend who exhibits erratic, manipulative, or emotionally inconsistent behavior. The song captures the exhausting experience of dealing with someone who oscillates rapidly between extremes—love and hate, leaving and staying, sadness and anger—without ever communicating the root cause of their distress. It serves as an anthem for anyone who has felt gaslit or drained by a relationship where the other person projects their internal confusion onto those around them.

Themes of Inconsistency and Projection:
The lyrics deeply explore the theme of emotional volatility. By describing a partner who "cries on the floor" yet "won't say what you want," McRae illustrates the helplessness felt by the observer. The song suggests that the partner's confusion is not just internal but is being weaponized to control the dynamic of the relationship. The line "Make me feel like I'm the one that's crazy" points directly to the concept of gaslighting, where the narrator is made to doubt their own perception of reality due to the partner's instability.

Empowerment through Confrontation:
Unlike a sad ballad where the narrator might mourn the loss of a connection, this track is about reclaiming power through direct confrontation. The recurring question, "What's your problem?" is not really a request for information but a rhetorical challenge. It signifies that the narrator is done accepting the blame and is holding the partner accountable for their own emotional regulation. It marks a shift from passivity to assertiveness, rejecting the role of the emotional punching bag.

The narrative of the song opens with a vivid scene of emotional chaos and intrusion. The protagonist describes a moment where their counterpart arrives uninvited, standing at the doorstep in a state of visible distress, tears streaming down their face. Despite the display of vulnerability, the narrator’s reaction isn't one of sympathy, but rather of weary confusion. The person at the door is depicted as erratic, claiming they need to leave one moment, only to refuse to go the next, creating a suffocating atmosphere of indecision.

As the story progresses into the core of the conflict, the narrator highlights the extreme polarity of the partner's behavior. The relationship is characterized by a whiplash-inducing cycle of affection and disdain; one day the partner professes love, and the next, they project hatred. This inconsistency leaves the narrator feeling disoriented, as they are constantly forced to guess where they stand. The partner is described as having a "cloud" over their head, a metaphor for their perpetual gloom and confusion, yet they seem oblivious to what they actually want, dragging the narrator into their storm.

The central question posed throughout the narrative serves as a confrontation: the narrator demands to know what the underlying issue is. They express a deep sense of frustration with being treated like a disposable object or a scapegoat for the partner's internal struggles. The narrator points out the unfairness of the dynamic, noting how the partner twists reality to make the narrator feel like the unstable one, a tactic often associated with gaslighting. The partner’s inability to communicate clearly or stick to a decision becomes the focal point of the narrator's grievance.

In the latter part of the recounting, the narrator describes the physical and emotional toll of this back-and-forth. They mention the partner’s tendency to internalize their issues only to explode later, yet never offering a solution or a clear path forward. The narrator asserts their own stability in contrast to the partner's chaos, emphasizing that they are tired of playing games. The song concludes without a resolution from the partner, leaving the narrator standing firm in their demand for an explanation, effectively drawing a boundary against the erratic behavior that has plagued their interaction.

Release and Album Context:
"what's your problem?" was released on May 27, 2022, as part of Tate McRae's debut studio album, i used to think i could fly. The album was a significant milestone in McRae's career, transitioning her from viral hits to a solidified pop artist. This specific track served as a high-energy counterpart to the deeper, sadder ballads the album is known for, such as "she's all i wanna be" and "chaotic."

Writing and Production:
The song was co-written by Tate McRae along with Jeremy Dussolliet and Jackson Foote. Jackson Foote also handled the production. The collaboration resulted in a sound that blends McRae's signature lyrical vulnerability with a grittier, pop-rock instrumentation that was becoming increasingly popular in the Gen Z pop sphere at the time. The creation of the song aligns with McRae's stated goal for the album: to explore the complexities of growing up, navigating toxic relationships, and the realization that things aren't as perfect as one "used to think."

Inspiration:
While McRae rarely names specific individuals, she has mentioned in interviews that the album reflects her real-life experiences with heartbreak, friendship fallouts, and the pressures of the industry. This track specifically taps into the anger phase of grief or conflict, capturing a specific moment of being fed up with ambiguity.

Rhythm and Meter:
The song is in a standard 4/4 time signature with a moderate-to-fast tempo that drives the song forward. The rhythmic structure of the vocal melody is syncopated, often hitting off-beats, which creates a feeling of anxious energy that matches the lyrical content. The pacing is relentless, barely giving the listener time to breathe, much like the relentless drama described in the lyrics.

Rhyme Scheme:
The lyrics utilize a mix of perfect and slant rhymes. For example, in the chorus, "head" rhymes with "said," and "get it" pairs with "regret it." The rhyme scheme is generally AABB or ABAB in the verses, keeping the structure accessible and catchy, typical of pop anthems. The simplicity of the rhymes allows the message—the direct confrontation—to take center stage without being obscured by overly complex poetry.

Musical Techniques:
The song employs a driving, distorted electric guitar riff that immediately sets an aggressive and energetic tone, distinguishing it from acoustic ballads. The percussion is punchy and relentless, mirroring the narrator's impatience. The production uses dynamic contrast, with verses that are slightly more contained and a chorus that explodes with layered vocals and heavier instrumentation to emphasize the outburst of frustration.

Vocal Delivery:
Tate McRae utilizes a delivery that borders on Sprechgesang (spoken singing) in the verses, which adds a conversational, sassy, and authentic "fed up" attitude. In the chorus, her vocals become more melodic and strained (stylistically), conveying the height of her emotional exasperation.

Literary Devices:
Rhetorical Questions: The title itself and the hook, "What's your problem?", is the primary device. It directs the narrative outward.
Antithesis: The lyrics rely heavily on contrasting pairs (love/hate, leaving/staying, you/me) to structurally reinforce the theme of confusion and opposing signals.

Significance in Discography:
As a track on i used to think i could fly, this song helped showcase Tate McRae's versatility. While she gained initial fame for sad, lyrical dance tracks, "what's your problem?" proved she could handle pop-rock energy and attitude, aligning her with the broader pop-punk revival movement occurring in the early 2020s (alongside artists like Olivia Rodrigo).

Reception and Media:
The song resonated well with her Gen Z audience, particularly on platforms like TikTok, where users utilized the sound to express frustrations with toxic friends, exes, or confusing situationships. Its relatable lyrics about mixed signals made it a staple in content discussing "red flags" in relationships. While it may not have been the lead single compared to "she's all i wanna be," it remains a fan favorite for its high energy in live performances.

The "Cloud":
McRae sings, "I know you got a cloud in your head." This metaphor visualizes the partner's mental state—foggy, dark, and impending. It suggests that their judgment is clouded and that they carry a gloomy atmosphere with them that rains on everyone else, specifically the narrator.

The Door/Leaving vs. Staying:
The imagery of the partner at the door, saying they are leaving but then staying, symbolizes the paralysis of the relationship. The door represents the exit and freedom, but the partner's inability to walk through it symbolizes their emotional stagnation and the trap they have created for both themselves and the narrator.

"One day..." Duality:
The repetition of "One day you love me, one day you hate me" serves as a symbol for the lack of foundation in the relationship. It represents the ground constantly shifting beneath the narrator's feet, emphasizing that there is no safe space or stability.

"What's your problem?"
This is the central hook and the most repeated phrase. Its repetition acts as a hammer, constantly pounding on the issue. With each repetition, the tone shifts slightly from confusion to annoyance to demand, anchoring the song's emotional arc.

"I don't get it"
This phrase recurs to emphasize the narrator's helplessness. It validates the listener's understanding that the situation is illogical. It reinforces the idea that the partner's behavior is irrational and that the narrator's confusion is a justified response.

"One day you..."
The motif of alternating days (loving/hating) is a structural hook that defines the verses. It establishes the pattern of behavior that is the source of the conflict.