Surely, it was an odd sight to see an eight-year-old Mariya Stokes sneaking into the local bar many years ago in her hometown of Stavely, Alberta, but it was all for the chance of making music with the local jam band. Even though she has now shared the stage with artists like Doc Walker, Trixie Mattel, and Jade Eagleson, the Canadian-based country artist is still sneaking around, making her way into iconic festivals, competitions, international events, and local projects. For instance, Mariya is a two-time Horizon Female Artist of the Year for Country Music Alberta, and she has performed at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival and The Calgary Stampede. She was also recently announced as a semi-finalist in the 2024 SiriusXM Top of the Country competition, where she could become “the next name in country.” It is all very exciting, but there is more to come. Next year, Mariya will be releasing her debut album, which will feature her latest single, the aptly titled “You Want Me.”
Have you ever been in a position where you have felt yourself falling in love with someone but you couldn’t tell if the feeling was mutual? If you have, then you can definitely understand what Mariya is going through on “You Want Me.” A flirty and fun country pop anthem, “You Want Me” captures the spirit of taking a chance, shooting your shot. Throughout the track, Mariya describes what she sees in this person and observes the way the relationship is becoming something more. She contrasts these intimate, stripped back thoughts and verses with pop-infused choruses, depicting the dynamics of her emotions. She sings, “The only thing I can’t take is not knowing where you stand / I’m yours, whether you’re mine / Made up my mind,” and claims, “If you want me like, ‘Oh hell, Amen!’ / I can’t control myself / Better believe that I’m in deep / Yeah, you got me right where you want me.” You can check it out below.
About “You Want Me,” Mariya explains,
“They say you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and ‘You Want Me’ is me shooting my shot. This song is about that heart-pounding moment when I realized I was falling hard and fast for someone I was seeing and needed reassurance that they felt the same. It’s a heartfelt confession and a question: ‘You’ve got me, but are we in this together? Are you all in?’”
You can listen to “You Want Me” on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Keep up with Mariya Stokes: Instagram // Facebook // X // TikTok // YouTube // Website
