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Sabrina Carpenter’s new single Manchild has quickly taken over streaming platforms and social media, not just for its catchy, sharp lyrics, but also for the cloud of speculation surrounding its inspiration. Fans have been particularly quick to link the emotionally charged track to her ex-boyfriend, actor Barry Keoghan, especially since the song dropped exactly one year after Please Please Please, a hit that featured Keoghan and subtly showcased their relationship at the time. The timing, paired with the lyrical tone of frustration and exhaustion, has prompted many listeners to wonder if Manchild is a veiled reflection of her past romance.
Despite the whispers, Carpenter cleared the air herself. She took to Instagram to explain the genuine roots of the track, revealing that Manchild wasn’t born out of a public breakup, but rather a spontaneous studio session with collaborators Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff. She shared that the song was written on a seemingly ordinary Tuesday shortly after completing her Short n’Sweet album, calling it “the best random Tuesday of my life.” Her description of the song paints it not as a bitter jab, but as a lighthearted and introspective look into the highs and lows of young adulthood. She called it “the song embodiment of a loving eye roll,” likening it to the soundtrack of a chaotic but joyful summer road trip.
Still, the lyrics themselves do little to quiet the speculation. Lines like “Manchild, why you always come a-runnin’ to me?” and “Half your brain just ain’t there,” carry a raw and humorous bite that fans have eagerly dissected. Many took to social media to praise the track’s brutally honest tone, with some claiming that Carpenter “writes better diss tracks than rappers,” while others crowned it the “song of the summer.” Whether directed at a specific ex or not, the song resonates with listeners who relate to the experience of emotional immaturity in relationships.
Carpenter, always one to balance sass with sincerity, closed her message by thanking her fans for their support—and cheekily thanked men for “testing” her. In doing so, she turned a potentially controversial release into a confident, relatable anthem, proving once again why she continues to rise as one of pop’s most self-aware and versatile voices.