Sabrina Carpenter‘s 2025 single “Manchild” is a witty takedown of an ex who never really grew up. The lyrics are packed with humor, sarcasm, and frustration, painting a picture of a guy who’s emotionally stunted and constantly dependent on others to clean up his messes. The song’s meaning centers on the experience of being drained by someone who refuses to take responsibility for himself.
Below is a breakdown of the lyrics in “Manchild.”
- Song: Tears
- Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
- Songwriters: Sabrina Carpenter, Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff
- Released: 2025
- Album: Man’s Best Friend
- Genre: Pop
“Manchild” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: A Familiar Pattern
You said your phone was broken, just forgot to charge it
Whole outfit you’re wearing, God, I hope it’s ironic
Saying the phone is broken and then claiming it just wasn’t charged feels like he’s making up reasons so she won’t catch on that he’d rather be somewhere else, maybe cheating.
The second line calls out his clothes, hoping he’s wearing them on purpose as a joke. It shows she thinks he usually doesn’t care about how he looks or how he shows up.
Together, these lines show someone who avoids responsibility and cannot be trusted, whether it’s in communication or how he shows up.
Did you just say you’re finished?
Didn’t know we started
He says he’s finished so quickly that it feels like the relationship barely began.
This also refers to how brief their sexual encounters are, suggesting he finishes fast in bed.
It’s all just so familiar, baby, what do you call it?
She feels stuck in a pattern she has seen before.
The situation might involve cheating or a distance between them that she can feel. This is a cycle she knows well.
Pre-Chorus: Too Kind of a Word
Stupid
Or is it slow?
Maybe it’s useless
But there’s a cuter word for it, I know…
She’s running through possible ways to describe his behavior, none of them flattering.
“Stupid,” “slow,” and “useless” are all words for someone who refuses to grow up or take life seriously.
But, in a second, she lands on something softer and more biting: “man-child.” It’s a label that cuts without sounding cruel, and it captures the full picture of who he is.
Chorus: The Cost of Caring
Man-child
Why you always come a-running to me?
He always runs back when things go wrong, expecting her to comfort him, fix his problems, or give him attention. That includes sex, emotional support, or anything else he needs.
She’s done being his safety net, especially when he offers nothing in return.
Fuck my life
Won’t you let an innocent woman be?
She’s overwhelmed, and “fuck my life” shows how fed up she is with the drama he brings.
She just wants peace and freedom from his constant neediness.
Never heard of self-care
Half your brain just ain’t there
He clearly lacks basic responsibility, never learning to take care of himself or manage his own emotions.
She sees him as half-formed. He’s physically grown, but he’s only half there mentally.
Man-child
Why you always come a-running, taking all my loving from me?
She’s drained. He’s taking everything good she gives and offering nothing back.
“Man-child” becomes more than an insult. It’s a diagnosis.
Verse 2: Frustration with the Obvious
Why so sexy if so dumb?
And how survive the Earth so long?
She’s calling out the unfairness of attraction.
He’s good-looking enough to get by, but clueless to the point that it’s shocking he’s made it through life.
There’s humor here, but also real annoyance. She’s been burned by someone who coasts through life on looks.
If I’m not there, it won’t get done
I choose to blame your mom
She’s the one doing everything, even the basic things he should handle himself.
The jab at his mom shows how he was probably raised. He was spoiled, coddled, and never taught how to grow up. This means these problems go back a long way and run deeper than just this relationship.
Bridge: Sarcastic Self-Awareness
Oh, I like my boys playing hard to get
And I like my men all incompetent
She’s mocking her own dating history, pointing out that she keeps ending up with guys who make her do all the work.
The contrast between “boys” and “men” is deliberate. Even when they’re older, they still act like children.
And I swear they choose me, I’m not choosing them
Amen, hey, men
There’s sarcasm in saying they choose her. It flips the usual blame and hints at how these immature types always seem to find her.
The “Amen” line sounds like a joke on both religion and men. It’s as if dating this type is inevitable and she’s made peace with it. Or, at least, she’s done trying to make sense of it.
“Manchild” Song Meaning: Why She’s Done Doing the Work
“Manchild” is a song about being stuck in a one-sided relationship with someone who refuses to grow up. He leans on her for emotional support, basic life management, and validation, while offering almost nothing in return. His constant excuses, lack of effort, and helplessness become too much for her to carry.
The tone is sharp, funny, and fed up. There’s real pain under the sarcasm, but she doesn’t wallow in it. Instead, she puts a spotlight on how some men stay boys forever and how exhausting it is to keep picking up the pieces they leave behind.
Songs Like “Manchild”
Here are a few songs that share some of the same themes found in “Manchild”:
1. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
“Flowers” is about reclaiming your independence after loving someone who couldn’t give you what you deserved. Like “Manchild,” it calls out an unbalanced relationship where one person gives too much and gets too little.
Related: “Flowers” Song Meaning
2. “Potential Breakup Song” by Aly & AJ
“Potential Breakup Song” is full of sass and frustration, calling out a guy who didn’t realize how much he was messing up.
3. “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan
“HOT TO GO!” uses humor and energy to talk about self-worth and being fed up with flaky partners.
Related: “HOT TO GO!” Song Meaning
4. “IDGAF” by Dua Lipa
“IDGAF” is all about drawing a hard boundary after being treated poorly. Like “Manchild,” it’s about a girl who’s done being someone’s emotional crutch.
5. “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo
“Good 4 U” is about the rage and disbelief that comes after being discarded by someone who never seemed to care.
Related: Best Karaoke Songs for Women
Conclusion: A Breaking Point with Boys Who Won’t Grow Up
“Manchild” is a breakup song without the sadness. It’s fierce, clever, and fully aware of how ridiculous her ex’s behavior really is. She’s not mourning the relationship; she’s naming the problem.
It’s not just about one guy. It’s about a type of man many women recognize: the one who’s charming but helpless, attractive but exhausting. And she’s had enough.
You can listen to “Manchild” on Spotify and Amazon.
Check out more of our 2020s Song Meanings.
