Sabrina Carpenter ‘s fiery new single “Manchild” has exploded onto the scene. Igniting instant buzz not just for its searing lyrics but for who those lyrics might be about. Fans were quick to assume the song was a brutal jab at her ex, Barry Keoghan. After all, it’s a biting track filled with frustration, sass, and emotional chaos. Just the kind of stormy anthem you’d expect after a celebrity split. But one eyebrow-raising verse has listeners pausing the outrage. Could everyone be wrong about Barry?
The track opens with Sabrina’s mocking laugh and the teasing “oh, boy.” It immediately feels like she’s ready to burn someone to the ground. Her words drip with sarcasm and disdain. Painting a portrait of a man too immature to handle her strength. From cries of emotional burden to lines that jab at intelligence and lack of self-care, the song builds a case against a clueless ex. Naturally, the internet pointed fingers squarely at Barry. And the social media erupting in memes and hot takes. But just as quickly, the narrative took a sharp turn.
Sabrina Carpenter Gets Things Interesting In Her Latest Song Lyrics
Midway through the second verse, a single lyric seems to undercut the entire Barry theory. In the middle of her lyrical fury, Sabrina makes a pointed line about blaming the subject’s mother for his emotional stuntedness. That might sound like a low blow. Until you remember Barry’s painful backstory. His mother died of a heroin overdose when he was 12. And he’s spoken openly about the deep trauma and addiction struggles that followed. Suddenly, the idea that Sabrina would mock something so raw and real feels not just cruel. But deeply out of character.
Manchild is out now!!!
— Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) June 6, 2025
It feels like the song embodiment of a loving eye roll and it sounds 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… pic.twitter.com/KHSWf3k5Zy
That one lyric changed everything. Fans who had been ready to wage war on Barry’s behalf are now doubling back. The timing of the song’s creation also throws cold water on the speculation. Sabrina has openly said she wrote “Manchild” on a random Tuesday with her friends Amy and Jack. And the important part was that she was still in a relationship with Barry while writing this. In other words, this wasn’t a breakup anthem. It wasn’t even post-heartache therapy. It was pure artistic release, and likely not about him at all.
So while “Manchild” might just be the song of the summer, its sting isn’t meant for Barry Keoghan. The rumor mill may have churned out its hottest theory yet. But Sabrina Carpenter, it seems, was never playing that game to begin with.
Full Lyrics Of ‘Manchild’
[Intro]
Oh, boy
[Verse 1]
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?
[Pre-Chorus]
Stupid
Or is it slow?
Maybe it’s useless
But there’s a cuter word for it, I know
Chorus]
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me?
F*ck 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?
[Verse 2]
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 mom
[Chorus]
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me?
F*ck 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?
[Bridge]
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)
[Chorus]
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me? (Always come a-running to me)
F*ck my life
Won’t you let an innocent woman be? (Amen)
[Outro]
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)
Also Read: Taylor Swift launches ‘RepTV’ Era with Latest Shock Drop in The Handmaid’s Tale
