Taylor Momsen Says ‘Make Me Wanna Die’ Defines Pretty Reckless Album

After a long wait, Taylor Momsen and the Pretty Reckless finally dropped their debut album, 'Light Me Up,' in the US earlier this week. The 'Gossip Girl' actress sat down with MTV to spill on the guts and glory of her first passion, and revealed that the premiere single, 'Make Me Wanna Die,' really defines the rest of the record.

"It doesn't exactly feel real yet. I've been talking about it for a long time. I'm very excited for people to hear it," she tells MTV News.

17-year-old Momsen, who grew to fame as an actress after starring as Cindy Lou Who in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas,' insists that music has -- and always will be -- her true identity. "It's still something I have to overcome," she says, attempting to ensure people that she's not just another notch on the pop music bedpost.

"I don't think it's fully transitioned. I would consider myself a musician that also acts. I've been writing songs since I was 5 -- it's the thing that I chose for myself, I wasn't put into it," the young rocker insists. "I made the decision and couldn't live without it, and hopefully people will give the record a chance and they'll hear that. They'll hear that it's not some side vanity project [but] that I really, really worked on it for a long time, really my whole life."

Of all of the songs on her blood, sweat, and tears new album, Momsen says that the lead single is the most significant in her mind. "There was no real formula to the way that we wrote. It's hard to define that, but 'Make Me Wanna Die' [is my favorite song] if I had to pick one," she says. "It was the first song written for the record, so it kind of defined the direction."

Her 'direction' is a far cry from that of other actresses who dabble in music, namely pop stars, and Momsen presses that her style is a truth within her -- not an attempt to set herself apart. "I wouldn't have ever put out a dance record and probably never will. I think there's a place for all types of music, but it's not my cup of tea," she relishes, adding that classic rock is her musical drink of choice.

"What I love about music is I love playing. That's what I loved about music to begin with; that's what I fell in love with. It was the rawness and hearing the imperfections and having the imperfections be what makes it so unique and honest," she adds. "I really wanted to make an honest record. That was the outlook that kept me sane and honest."

Taylor Momsen Dishes on the Pretty Reckless 'Light Me Up' Album