Tate McRae – Like I do. Lyrics Meaning: The Creepy Side of a Copycat Friend

Ever had a friend who admired you just a little too much? You know the type. At first, it’s flattering. They love your taste in music, they buy the same jacket you have, they even start using your quirky phrases. But then, slowly, that flattery starts to feel… off. It shifts from sweet to suffocating, and you get this weird, prickly feeling on the back of your neck you just can’t shake.

That unnerving feeling is the exact storm Tate McRae perfectly captures in her track “Like I do.” It’s a song that goes beyond a simple fallout between friends; it’s a deep dive into the unsettling world of a toxic friendship where admiration has curdled into a creepy, all-consuming obsession. So, let’s pull back the curtain on this story, because there’s a lot more going on than just a little friendly imitation.

Decoding the Two-Faced Friendship in Tate McRae’s ‘Like I do’

The song kicks off with a line that immediately sets a distrustful tone. It’s not an accusation shouted from the rooftops, but a quiet, knowing statement that exposes the other person’s true intentions from the get-go.

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Say you wanna know me
You don’t wanna know me
You just wanna do what I do

Right there, Tate draws a line in the sand. This isn’t about genuine connection or friendship. The person she’s singing to isn’t interested in her thoughts, her fears, or her personality. They’re only interested in her life as a blueprint. They want the aesthetic, the success, the relationships—the final product—without any of the authentic selfhood that goes into it. It’s a chilling realization that you’re not seen as a person, but as a role to be studied and eventually usurped.

From Admiration to Obsession

The vibe gets darker and way more personal as the first verse unfolds. The imagery Tate uses is incredibly potent and physical, painting a picture of someone who is constantly being watched and encroached upon. It’s a violation of personal space, both emotionally and physically.

Oh baby, you got ten fingers ’round my neck at all times
Oh baby, you think ’bout me ten times more than even your own life

Yikes. That’s not just a passing thought; it’s a full-blown obsession. The “ten fingers ’round my neck” isn’t literal violence, but it perfectly describes the feeling of being suffocated by someone’s constant, intense focus. The situation escalates when this copycat behavior starts targeting the most personal parts of Tate’s life. It’s one thing to copy a style, but it’s another thing entirely when they start eyeing your partner and praying for your failure. That’s when you know this person isn’t a fan; they’re a rival in a game you never even agreed to play.

The Mask Slips: Unveiling the Fake Persona

One of the most powerful parts of the song is when Tate calls out the sheer phoniness of this person. She exposes them as a master of disguise, someone who curates a perfect public image that’s completely at odds with who they truly are. It’s a classic case of someone who is so insecure, they have to build a personality out of pieces stolen from others.

Baby, tell me
What you gonna do when they all find out?
You ain’t what you paint to the public, nah, nah
Friends with the ones that you know you shit talking about

This is so relatable. We’ve all known someone like that—someone who is one person to your face and a completely different person behind your back. Tate’s lyrics highlight the hollowness of it all. This person isn’t just imitating her; they’re a fraud in every aspect of their life, and she’s just waiting for the day everyone else sees the cracks in their carefully constructed mask.

That Gut-Wrenching Monologue

And then we get to the bridge. The music softens, and Tate speaks directly, her voice raw and confessional. This is the emotional climax of the song, where all the confusion, hurt, and anger come pouring out. It’s a moment of pure, unfiltered honesty.

I thought we were friends
But I get this weird feeling in my stomach
I can’t tell if you want to kill me or if you wanna kiss me
And sometimes I’m flattered, but also, fuck you

This part is just brilliant. That line, “I can’t tell if you want to kill me or if you wanna kiss me,” is the absolute heart of the matter. It perfectly encapsulates the dizzying mix of emotions that comes with being the object of such an intense obsession. It’s a toxic blend of love and hate, admiration and envy, that leaves you feeling completely unsettled and, frankly, a little scared. It’s the ultimate “frenemy” confession.

The Takeaway: Trust Your Gut and Stay True

Beyond being a cathartic anthem for anyone who’s dealt with a two-faced friend, “Like I do” carries a powerful message. It’s a stark reminder to always trust your intuition. That “weird feeling in my stomach” Tate talks about? That’s your internal alarm system, and this song champions the importance of listening to it. It also serves as a testament to the value of authenticity. The person Tate describes is so desperate to be someone else that they lose themselves entirely, and the song makes it clear that a copied life is a hollow one.

Ultimately, “Like I do” is a declaration of independence. It’s about recognizing a toxic presence in your life and having the strength to call it out and distance yourself. It’s a raw, honest, and incredibly powerful exploration of a friendship gone wrong. What are your thoughts on the song? I’m curious to know if you interpret the story differently or if it resonates with an experience you’ve had. Let’s talk about it!