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Sabrina Carpenter has officially shed light on the inspiration behind her latest single, Manchild, amid swirling fan speculation that the track takes aim at a former flame.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, June 5, the 26-year-old pop star explained that she co-wrote the track on "a random Tuesday" with collaborators Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff, shortly after wrapping her Grammy-winning sixth studio album Short n' Sweet. "It ended up being the best random Tuesday of my life," she wrote, describing the process as "so fun to write."
The track, which Carpenter described as the "song embodiment of a loving eye roll," quickly resonated with fans thanks to its cheeky tone and biting lyrics. "It became something I can look back on that scores the mental montage of my confusing and fun young adult years," she shared, adding, "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!"
Though she doesn't name names, fans have linked the song to Irish actor Barry Keoghan, 32, who starred in Carpenter's "Please Please Please" music video. The pair were first spotted together in December 2023 but reportedly took a break a year later. "They are both young and career-focused, so they've decided to take a break," a source told People.
Lyrically, Manchild delivers sharp commentary on underwhelming male behaviour, backed by upbeat, synth-pop melodies. "Manchild, why you always come a-runnin' to me? / F--- my life, won't you let an innocent woman be? / Never heard of self-care / Half your brain just ain't there..." Carpenter sings. She doesn't spare herself either, joking, "Oh, I like my boys playin' hard to get / And I like my men all incompetent."
Fans were quick to react to the bold lyrics, with one user commenting, "Sabrina be writing better diss tracks than rappers lmao."
While Manchild is assumed to be part of her upcoming seventh album, no official announcement has been made. For now, the song stands as a playful but pointed ode to the chaotic highs and lows of young adulthood. As Carpenter put it in her post: "And thank you men for testing me!!"
The track is now available on streaming platforms, with its music video set to premiere on YouTube today, June 6.
