Sports Car (song)

2025 single by Tate McRae

"Sports Car"

Remixes EP cover

Single by Tate McRae
from the album  So Close to What
Released| January 24, 2025 (2025-01-24)
Genre|

* Pop[1]
* dance-pop[2]

Length| 2:45
Label| RCA
Songwriter(s)|

* Tate McRae
* Julia Michaels
* Ryan Tedder
* Grant Boutin

Producer(s)|

* Tedder
* Boutin

Tate McRae singles chronology
| "2 Hands"
(2024)  | "Sports Car"
(2025)  | "Revolving Door"
(2025)

|
|

Music video
"Sports Car" on YouTube

"Sports Car" is a song by Canadian singer Tate McRae. It was released on January 24, 2025, through RCA Records as the third single from her third studio album, So Close to What. The song was co-written with Julia Michaels, Grant Boutin and Ryan Tedder, and produced by the latter two. "Sports Car" peaked at number nine on the Canadian Hot 100. Outside of Canada, "Sports Car" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Bulgaria, Colombia, Guatemala, Ireland, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Romania, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

## Background

[edit]

McRae announced the release of her third studio album, So Close to What, on November 14, 2024.[3] An earlier version of the album, including a demo of "Sports Car", eventually leaked on January 16, 2025. McRae announced "Sports Car" as the third single on January 20 and shared a teaser from the music video, captioning it as part of what was "forgotten" to be leaked.[4] The song debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming her second highest chart debut behind "It's OK I'm OK", and eventually peaked at number 16, making it the highest peaking single of the era.

In an interview, McRae revealed that "Sports Car" was "such a fun song to write" with the intention to capture the "adrenaline of love, sex, and the excitement of it all". She used "sports car" as a metaphor for the feeling of love and revealed that they referenced the American hip-hop duo Ying Yang Twins with the whispery chorus.[5]

## Critical reception

[edit]

"Sports Car" received acclaim from music critics. George Griffiths of the Official Charts Company thought that "Sports Car" was a "stuttering, hip-hop influenced pop tune", characterized by "breathy melodies" as well as a prominent and addictive "spoken-word" chorus. Griffiths compared the song to tracks from In the Zone (2003) by Britney Spears.[6] Likewise, Aaron Williams at Uproxx thought "Sports Car" was reminiscent of Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U" (2001) and The Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons" (2006) and called it a continuation of the previous single "2 Hands" (2024).[7] Nicole Collins of The Telegraph agreed with the reference, saying that it "feels like an ode to the peak Pussycat Dolls era of sweaty, sexy club tracks built on intoxicating beats".[8] Similarly, Sam Franzini, writing for The Line of Best Fit, perceived in the track "a mix of Nelly Furtado and Timbaland's early-aughts output by way of 'Buttons' by The Pussycat Dolls – and it's gripping".[9] Nick Levine of NME concluded that Pussycat Dolls and "Buttons" were clear references for the track.[10] Paper magazine said "it's got everything a sultry banger needs" referencing the tracks "darkly toned synths, whispered hook and a thumping beat throughout that's perfect for McRae's dedication to modern choreography".

## Music video

[edit]

The music video was released alongside the single on January 24, 2025, and was directed by Bardia Zeinali of Vogue. It features the singer posing in front of a mirror, wearing twelve outfits, transforming her from a "girl crush" to a "pop star". The outfits include a range of styles, including "archival pulls" and "current ready-to-wear pieces".[11] In the video, a shadowy figure activates a "1970s peep show" as McRae enters the show booth and dances "seductively" with multiple outfit changes.[7] The singer revealed that the cheetah print corset designed by Roberto Cavalli was her favorite wardrobe amongst the set.[12]

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Weekly chart performance for "Sports Car"  | Chart (2025)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[13] | 8
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] | 17
Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[15] | 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] | 40
Bolivia Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[17] | 5
Bulgaria Airplay (PROPHON)[18] | 2
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] | 9
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[20] | 1
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[21] | 38
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[22] | 3
Colombia Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[23] | 2
Colombia Anglo Streaming (Monitor Latino)[23] | 4
Croatia International Airplay (Top lista)[24] | 6
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[25] | 35
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] | 49
Denmark (Tracklisten)[27] | 28
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[28] | 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[29] | 35
France (SNEP)[30] | 117
Germany (GfK)[31] | 33
Global 200 (Billboard)[32] | 17
Greece International (IFPI)[33] | 8
Guatemala Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[34] | 5
Ireland (IRMA)[35] | 4
Israel International Airplay (Media Forest)[36] | 7
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[37] | 6
Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[38] | 2
Latvia Airplay (LaIPA)[39] | 4
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA)[40] | 19
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[41] | 5
Lithuania (AGATA)[42] | 31
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[43] | 4
Moldova Airplay (TopHit)[22] | 123
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[44] | 26
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[45] | 22
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[46] | 9
Nicaragua Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[47] | 2
Nigeria (TurnTable Top 100)[48] | 100
North Macedonia Airplay (Radiomonitor)[49] | 7
Norway (VG-lista)[50] | 18
Panama Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[51] | 5
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[52] | 65
Portugal (AFP)[53] | 32
Romania (Romanian Radio Airplay)[54] | 4
Romania (Romania TV Airplay)[55] | 10
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[56] | 2
Singapore (RIAS)[57] | 15
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[58] | 38
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[59] | 43
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[60] | 50
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[61] | 26
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[62] | 91
UK Singles (OCC)[63] | 3
Uruguay Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[64] | 9
US Billboard Hot 100[65] | 16
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[66] | 11
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[67] | 13
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[68] | 2
Venezuela Anglo Airplay (Monitor Latino)[69] | 2

### Monthly charts

[edit]

Monthly chart performance for "Sports Car"  | Chart (2025)  | Peak
position

|

Belarus Airplay (TopHit)[70] | 13
CIS Airplay (TopHit)[71] | 3
Estonia Airplay (TopHit)[72] | 12
Kazakhstan Airplay (TopHit)[73] | 2
Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[74] | 8
Romania Airplay (TopHit)[75] | 9
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[76] | 3

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Sports Car"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Belgium (BRMA)[77] | Gold  | 20,000‡
Hungary (MAHASZ)[78] | Platinum  | 4,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[79] | Platinum  | 30,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[80] | Platinum  | 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] | Gold  | 400,000‡
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[82] | Gold  | 1,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

"Sports Car" release history  Region  | Date  | Format  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Various  | January 24, 2025  |

* Digital download
* streaming

| RCA | [83]
United States  | Contemporary hit radio | [84]
Italy  | January 31, 2025  | Radio airplay | Sony | [85]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Tate McRae Gets a Lingerie-Clad Makeover in New 'Sports Car' Music Video". L'Officiel USA. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
2. ^ "Tate McRae Says Britney Spears Comparisons Are 'Flattering and Scary'". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
3. ^ Spanos, Brittany (November 14, 2024). "Tate McRae prepares for massive 2025 with album, tour announcement". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 14, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
4. ^ Phillips, Calista (January 23, 2025). "You may have *accidentally* heard Tate McRae's upcoming album, So Close to What". Her Campus. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
5. ^ Maeoka, Toshio (January 24, 2025). "Tate McRae Releases New Song "Sports Car"". PM Studios. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
6. ^ Griffiths, George (January 23, 2025). "New Releases: Central Cee, FKA twigs, Tate McRae, Teddy Swims and more!". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
7. ^ a b Williams, Aaron (January 24, 2025). "Tate McRae Gives Herself A High-Fashion Peep Show In Her Seductive "Sports Car" Video". Uproxx. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
8. ^ Collins, Nicole (February 21, 2025). "Sam Fender's People Watching proves he's the bravest voice of his generation". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
9. ^ Franzini, Sam (February 22, 2025). "Tate McRae revs up on So Close To What". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
10. ^ Levine, Nick (February 21, 2025). "Tate McRae – 'So Close To What' review: serving flip phone-era club-pop". NME. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
11. ^ Kim, Irene (January 23, 2025). "From Pop Star to Fashion Icon—An Exclusive First Look at Tate McRae's Fashion Makeover for Her Latest Music Video "Sports Car"". Variety. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
12. ^ Dresdale, Andrea (January 23, 2025). "Music Notes: Taylor Swift, Tate McRae and more". ABC Audio. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
13. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 3, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
14. ^ "Tate McRae – Sports Car" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
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18. ^ "PROPHON – Charts" (in Bulgarian). PROPHON. April 4, 2025. Archived from the original on April 12, 2025. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
19. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
20. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
21. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
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23. ^ a b "Top 20 Colombia Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Colombia English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
24. ^ "Airplay Radio Chart Top100 – 31. ožujka 2025" (in Croatian). Top lista. March 31, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
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27. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 4, 2025". Hitlisten. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
28. ^ Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart. TopHit. May 2, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
29. ^ "Tate McRae: Sports Car" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
30. ^ "Top Singles du semaine 5, 2025". SNEP. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
31. ^ "Tate McRae – Sports Car" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
32. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
33. ^ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 14/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
34. ^ "Top 20 Guatemala Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Guatemala English – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
35. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
36. ^ "מדיה פורסט – המצעד הבינלאומי השבועי – Week 19 – 04/05 – 10/05/2025" [Media Forest – International Weekly Chart – Week 19 – 04/05 – 10/05/2025] (in Hebrew). Media Forest. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
37. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of March 19, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 19, 2025.
38. ^ Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Weekly Chart. TopHit. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
39. ^ "Latvijas mūzikas topā atgriežas hiti un debitē jauni singli" [Hits return to the Latvian music charts and new singles debut] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.+[lv]&rft.date=2025-02-24&rft_id=https://sejas.tvnet.lv/8198498/latvijas-muzikas-topa-atgriezas-hiti-un-debite-jauni-singli&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Sports+Car+(song)" class="Z3988">
40. ^ "Latvijas mūzikas topa 2025. gada piektajā nedēļā dominē divi izteikti līderi" [Two clear leaders dominate the fifth week of the Latvian Music Chart 2025] (in Latvian). TV Net [lv]. February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.+[lv]&rft.date=2025-02-04&rft_id=https://sejas.tvnet.lv/8185821/latvijas-muzikas-topa-2025-gada-piektaja-nedela-domine-divi-izteikti-lideri&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Sports+Car+(song)" class="Z3988">
41. ^ "OLT20 – Combined Chart – Week of Sunday March 30th, 2025". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
42. ^ "2025 11-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. March 14, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
43. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Feb 6, 2025". TopHit. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
44. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 2025" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
45. ^ "Tate McRae – Sports Car" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
46. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
47. ^ "Top 20 Nicaragua – Anglo – Del 30 de Junio al 6 de Junio, 2025" [Top 20 Nicaragua – English – From 30 June to 6 July, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
48. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: February 28th, 2025 – March 6th, 2025". TurnTable. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
49. ^ "Macedonia – Radio Airplay Chart | Settimana 12.2025 – dal 14/03/2025 al 20/03/2025" [Macedonia – Radio Airplay Chart | Week 12.2025 – 14/03/2025 to 20/03/2025] (in Italian). Radiomonitor. March 21, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
50. ^ "Singel 2025 uke 05". VG-lista. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
51. ^ "Top 20 Panama – Anglo – Del 30 de Junio al 6 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Panama – English – June 30 to July 6, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
52. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 21.02.2025–27.02.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
53. ^ "Tate McRae – Sports Car". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
54. ^ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts". Media Forest. Retrieved May 8, 2025. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
55. ^ "Media Forest – Weekly Charts". Media Forest. Retrieved April 16, 2025. Note: Select 'Songs – TV'. Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
56. ^ Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart. TopHit. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
57. ^ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 5 (24 - 30 Jan 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
58. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 10. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
59. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 9. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
60. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 5, 2025". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
61. ^ "Tate McRae – Sports Car". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
62. ^ Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart. TopHit. March 14, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
63. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
64. ^ "Top 20 Uruguay Anglo – Del 25 de Junio al 1 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Uruguay Anglo – June 25 to July 1, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
65. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
66. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
67. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
68. ^ "Tate McRae Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
69. ^ "Top 20 Venezuela – Anglo – Del 14 al 20 de Julio, 2025" [Top 20 Venezuela – English – 14 to 20 July, 2025] (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
70. ^ "Top Radio Hits Belarus Monthly Chart: July 2025". TopHit. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
71. ^ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: June 2025". TopHit. June 6, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
72. ^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart: April 2025". TopHit. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
73. ^ "Top Radio Hits Kazakhstan Monthly Chart: June 2025". TopHit. July 4, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
74. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: February 2025". TopHit. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
75. ^ "Top Radio Hits Romania Monthly Chart: April 2025". TopHit. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
76. ^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: June 2025". TopHit. July 4, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
77. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2025". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
78. ^ "Adatbázis – Arany- és platinalemezek – 2025" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
79. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Tate McRae – Sports Car". Radioscope. Retrieved July 17, 2025. Type Sports Car  in the "Search:" field.
80. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Tate McRae – Sports Car" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
81. ^ "British single certifications – Tate McRae – Sports Car". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
82. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 14/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
83. ^ "Sports Car — single by Tate McRae". Spotify. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
84. ^ "Hot New Releases". Hits Daily Double. January 24, 2025. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
85. ^ "Sports Car - Tate McRae". EarOne (in Italian). January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

Tate McRae

* Discography
* Songs

Studio albums|

* I Used to Think I Could Fly
* Think Later
* So Close to What

Extended plays|

* All the Things I Never Said
* Too Young to Be Sad

Singles|

* "You Broke Me First"
* "Vicious"
* "Lie to Me"
* "R U OK"
* "Rubberband"
* "Slower"
* "You"
* "U Love U"
* "Working"
* "That Way"
* "Feel Like Shit"
* "She's All I Wanna Be"
* "Chaotic"
* "10:35"
* "Greedy"
* "Exes"
* "It's OK I'm OK"
* "2 Hands"
* "Sports Car"
* "Revolving Door"
* "Just Keep Watching"

Featured singles|

* "What I Want"

Promotional singles|

* "Run for the Hills"

Concert tours|

* Think Later World Tour
* Miss Possessive Tour

Category
*[Ref.]: Reference
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template