So, typically, as soon as we heard that Sabrina was releasing a new song titled Manchild, we all jumped to the conclusion that it would be about none other than her ex, Barry Keoghan.
However! The Princess of Pop has shared some insight into what the song is actually about and the timeline isn’t adding up.
Days before the release of the new song, we received a teaser of the new hit, featuring a picture of her hitchhiking with the caption, “This one’s about you.”
On the release of the song, the 26-year-old shared to her Instagram, “I wrote Manchild on a random Tuesday with Amy and Jack not too long after finishing short n’ sweet and it ended up being the best random Tuesday of my life.
“Not only was it so fun to write, but this song became to me something I can look back on that will score the mental montage to the very confusing and fun young adult years of life.
“It sounds like the song embodiment of a loving eye roll and it feels like a never ending road trip in the summer ! Hence why I wanted to give it to you now- so you can stick your head out the car window and scream it all summer long!”
“Thank you always and forever for listening and thank you men for testing me!!🐷🤍”
So now, we know it’s obviously about a man, but who exactly is it?
Rolling Stones asked her just that question and Sabrina playfully answered, “It’s about your Dad.”
Manchild album cover
We have since received the album cover of her new album which has raised a few eyebrows from fans.
“Lol this cover art is so disgusting. as a fan I don’t like it :(,” one commented.
“In this political climate is crazy.”
“How is this not just appealing to be male gaze?? insanely misogynistic imagery. mans best friend 😭😭??? please please please,” commented another.
“I dont wanna see no man dragging you around by your hair mother please get up 😭.”
Her album will be released on August 29, but until then, what are your thoughts?
Is Manchild about Barry Keoghan?
Thanks to her Instagram caption, we know that the song was written shortly after recording Short n’ Sweet, which was released in August 2024.
Barry and Sabrina went on to split in December 2024, so the timeline suggests it is not specifically about him.
Whilst fans would love to confirm that the song is about him, the lyrics more so suggest that it is less about one particular person and more about a recurring pattern.
So, is Manchild a Barry burn in disguise or just a catchy callout to emotionally-unavailable men? Either way, it’s at the top of our playlist.
What are the lyrics to Sabrina Carpenter’s Manchild?
Oh, boy
You said your phone was broken, just forgot to charge it
Whole outfit you’re wearing, God, I hope it’s ironic
Did you just say you’re finished? Didn’t know we started
It’s all just so familiar, baby, what do you call it?
Stupid
Or is it slow?
Maybe it’s useless
But there’s a cuter word for it, I know
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me?
Fuck my life
Won’t you let an innocent woman be?
Never heard of self-care
Half your brain just ain’t there
Man-child
Why you always come a-running, taking all my loving from me?
Why so sexy if so dumb?
And how survive the Earth so long?
If I’m not there, it won’t get done
I choose to blame your mum
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me?
Fuck my life
Won’t you let an innocent woman be?
Never heard of self-care
Half your brain just ain’t there
Man-child
Why you always come a-running, taking all my loving from me?
Oh, I like my boys playing hard to get
And I like my men all incompetent
And I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them
Amen, hey, men
Oh, I like my boys playing hard to get (Play hard to get)
And I like my men all incompetent (Incompetent)
And I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them (Not choosing them)
Amen (Amen), hey, men (Hey, men)
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me? (Always come a-running to me)
Fuck my life
Won’t you let an innocent woman be? (Amen)
Oh, I like my boys playing hard to get (Play hard to get)
And I like my men all incompetent (Incompetent)
And I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them (Not choosing them)
Amen (Amen), hey, men (Hey, men)
