I’d Rather Be - Greedy
Tate McRae has been an up and coming force within the pop sector of mainstream music for a number of years now. She’s the new kid on the block, so to speak, and is quickly gaining traction as the next big thing in pop alongside Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Olivia Dean, and others. Though I just found out who she was a few months ago (what can I say? I live under a rock when it comes to pop), she definitely seems to be influential already despite her young age of 22 years old. So influential, in fact, that other artists are already covering her original material.
That brings me to I’d Rather Be. Based in the Provo area of Utah, I’d Rather Be is a rising pop-punk band composed of guitarist Kenyon Johnson, drummer Bronxx Sandoval, bassist Freemen Norton, and vocalist Hela Owczarzak. With impressive feats under their belt already such as a 2024 collaboration with Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens for their debut single, I’d Rather Be recently released their second single, a reimagination of Tate McRae’s song “Greedy”.
I’d Rather Be’s “Greedy” may share the same name and lyrics as Tate McRae’s but the similarities stop there - and that isn’t a bad thing in the slightest. Outsiders looking inward may be confused by the choice of song, asking themselves why a pop punk group would select such a “prissy”, pop tune but that’s the beauty of it, I think. It showcases an artist’s ability to transform and potentially elevate a pre existing piece of art. In this case, the guys of I’d Rather Be have hit the mark dead-on.
Their adaptation of Greedy is in their own, gritty style. It’s so much more than a band playing another act’s song because of how they’ve managed to elevate every element. Hela’s vocals that air similar to mgk’s singing style off of Tickets To My Downfall lay a hardcore, rebellious foundation that’s built on in a rather brilliant way by Kenyon, Bronxx, and Freemen. Altogether, they sound like if 3OH!3 still made music in the way they did back in 2008: their peak era, if you ask me. It’s nostalgic, fun, and remarkable considering the prominent youth within I’d Rather Be and its members and it only goes to show the sheer resilience and talent these guys possess already.
And for the record? I think it’s world’s better than the original. My humblest apologies to Tate Mcrae and her fans.
After this release of Greedy, I’d Rather Be has an upcoming performance at The Pearl on Main in Midvale, Utah, where they will be opening for Stateside alongside Firestarter. If you aren’t in the immediate area or if you cannot attend this show, fans are able to stream the band’s two songs anywhere you find music. The specified future for I’d Rather Be is currently unknown but I am sure it’s bright and revolutionary nonetheless.