In a move that’s left the internet collectively spiralling, Sabrina Carpenter has officially released Man’s Best Friend. And, oh boy, it’s good.
The pint-sized pop princess faced some fire when she announced her new album earlier this year, with some raising their concerns over the risqué album cover. Of course, many argued it was in line with Sabrina’s ever-so-sexy existing image. After all, this is the girl who has crowds screaming ‘I’m so f*cking horny’ on a weekday evening.
Naturally, fans were expecting some heartbreak to seep through the innuendos and ‘70s vibes. Following the release of the single ‘Manchild’, many speculated the album would be heavily inspired by her breakup from Saltburn‘s Barry Keoghan.
©Dave Benett/VF24/WireImage for Vanity Fair
The 32-year-old Irish actor – who is six years older than Sabrina – was first linked to the star in December 2023. However, the pair split one year after they began dating, with (unsubstantiated) cheating rumours flung their way. While the singer never publicly addressed her breakup with Barry, she did drop a remake of ‘Please, Please, Please,’ – the music video that originally debuted her relationship with the actor. Featuring Dolly Parton, the new version saw Barry’s character tied up and bound in the back of her car.
In a recent interview, Sabrina herself explained that her real life seeps into her music – explaining, ‘I write songs about exactly how I feel, so I guess I can’t be surprised that people are interested in who and what those songs are about.’
So, let’s unpack. Here’s all the songs on Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend – and why fans think they’re about Barry Keoghan.
Manchild
Put frankly, this one’s about a man who’s as useful as a chocolate teapot. The star sings about dealing with her ‘manchild,’ lamenting over her ex’s lack of intelligence in the country-inspired song. The music video saw a western-styled Sabrina hitch hike her way across the desert, encountering far too many disappointing men along the way.
She sings: ‘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.’
Tears
Dubbed a follow up to her beloved ‘Juno,’ ‘Tears’ explores how hot it is for a man to do ‘responsible things’ like washing the dishes and putting together some IKEA furniture. We’re not asking for much.
Sabrina sings: ‘A little initiative can go a very long, long way/ Baby, just do the dishes, I’ll give you what you want/ A little communication, yes, that’s my ideal foreplay/ Assemble a chair from IKEA, I’m like, “Uh”
Is seems like this man is the total opposite of ‘Manchild.’ Was Barry a master at building flatpack? Or is Sabrina singing about another dude with a knack for yapping? Either way, she wants a ‘responsible guy.’
My Man on Willpower
Unpacking the end of a relationship, Sabrina sings on ‘My Man on Willpower’ how her partner has become someone she doesn’t even recognise.
A dilemma every woman on planet earth recognises, she hints that her man has lost interest – ‘He used to be literally obsessed with me, I’m suddenly the least sought-after girl in the land,’ and ‘He’s busy, he’s working, he doesn’t have time for me/ My slutty pajamas not tempting him in the least.’
Sources had said that Barry and Sabrina split due to busy schedules, saying ‘They are both young and career-focused, so they’ve decided to take a break.’ Rumours did arise that Barry had cheated on the star, however they’ve never been addressed by either party.
Sugar Talking
Singing, ‘Put your loving where your mouth is/ Yeah, your paragraphs mean shit to me/ Get your sorry ass to mine,’ Sabrina suggests that she’s done with any ‘Hey babe’ texts.
Rather than paragraphs, she wants (physical) declarations of love.
We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night
On ‘We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night’, Sabrina sings of the familiar push and pull of a toxic relationship. Sources had often said her relationship with Barry was particularly ‘on and off.’
‘All the “I love yous” and “I’m sorrys” were said/ We had our sex and then we made amends/ Called it a false alarm to all of or friends/ Then we almost broke up again last night,’ the pop star sings.
Nobody’s Son
By this point, Sabrina’s given up on love. A manchild will do that to you…
‘Here we go again/ Crying in bed, what a familiar feeling/ All my friends in love and I’m the one they call for a third wheeling/ Probably should’ve guessed, he’s like the rest/ So fine and so deceiving/ There’s nobody’s son, not anyone left for me to believe in.’
Never Getting Laid
Anger is the second stage of grief! In ‘Never Getting Laid’, Sabrina lays out her hopes and dreams for her ex’s future.
Frustrated at his unpredictability and wandering eye, Sabrina sings, ‘I just wish you didn’t have a mind that cold flip like a switch/ That could wander and drift to a neighbouring b*tch.’
As for the future, there’s no bad blood (just a tad saltiness.) Sabrina sings, ‘I just hope you get agoraphobia some day/ And all your days are sunny from your windowpane/ Wish you a lifetime full of happiness/ And a forever of never getting laid.’ Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
When Did You Get Hot?
The glow-up is here. From not to hot, ‘When Did You Get Hot?’ Is an ode to, well, being hot. ‘Sorry I did not see the vision, Thank the Lord, the fine you has risen,’ Sabrina sings to a man called Devin, adding, ‘Take me to naked Twister back at your place.’
Queen of innuendos, she continues, ‘Congratulations on your new improvements/ I bet your light rod’s like bigger than Zeus’s/ Hey, wait, can you lift my car with your hand?/ You were an ugly kid, but you’re a sexy man.’
Cheers to hot people!
Go Go Juice
The classic drunk dial has arrived, and this song is perhaps the most Barry coded of all.
‘Go Go Juice’ sees Sabrina consider ringing a couple ex’s after one too many drinks, singing, ‘I’m just drinking to call someone/ Ain’t nobody safe when I’m a little bit drunk.’ As for the next few lines, the flames have been fanned. Sabrina sings, ‘Could be John or Larry, gosh, who’s to say? Or the one that rhymes with “Villain” if I’m feeling that way.’
Larry certainly rhymes with Barry – and if we try hard enough, we’re sure villain and can sound like Keoghan…
Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry
On ‘Don’t Worry I’ll Make You Worry,’ Sabrina warns her ex the many ways she’ll ‘make you worry like no other girl can.’
Singing ‘You think I’m gonna f*ck with your head?/ Well, you’re absolutely right/’ Sabrina continues. ‘Silent treatment and hublin’ your ass/ Well, that’s some of my best work.’
House Tour
‘House Tour’ sees Sabrina desperate to invite someone into her humble abode. You’ll have to take her word for it when she says there’s no metaphor here…
‘Do you want the house tour?/ I could take you to the first, second, third floor/ And I promise none of this is a metaphor/ I just want you to come inside/ Baby, what’s mine is now yours/ I just want you to come inside/ But never enter through the back door.’
Goodbye
An aptly placed final track, ‘Goodbye’ is the ultimate breakup song.
The song touches on a relationship coming to an end, with Sabrina singing how her man ‘Broke my heart on Saturday/ Guess overnight your feelings changes/ And I have cried so much I almost fainted’
However, there’s no crawling back. ‘Sayonara, adios/ You’re not bilingual, but you should know/ Goodbye means that you’re losing me for life/ Can’t call it love, then call it quits/ Can’t shoot me down, then shoot the shit/ Did you forget that it was you who said goodbye?/ So you don’t get to be the one who cries/ Can’t have your cake and eat it too/ By walking out, that means you choose goodbye.’
Giving one final farewell for food measure, Sabrina sings, ‘I’ll say arrivederci, au revoir/ forgive my French but fuck you, ta ta.’
Whether this song – or indeed, any of the others on Man’s Best Friend – are about Barry, that’s up for fans to decide. Either way, we probably won’t be seeing these two rekindle their romance anytime soon…
Charlotte Roberts is a news and entertainment writer at Grazia UK. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment.
