Oh boy! Sabrina Carpenter released her seventh studio album, “Man’s Best Friend” on Aug. 29, a little over a year after “Short n’ Sweet.” The new album of 12 songs has received both acclaim and backlash. It seems no one understands Carpenter’s simple yet clever lyricism and feminine position. However, people across the board cannot deny the draw younger people, especially females, have to her ability to convey relationships. Carpenter does this while also including nods to great artists and themes that shape music culture. Here are my top five songs, giving you a little taste of why you should listen to the entire album:
1. “Goodbye”: While it might be the final song, it’s the one I always put on first. Carpenter without a doubt plucked inspiration from the Swedish pop band, ABBA, famous for their hit, “Dancing Queen.” A lot of the production sounds so similar to their shimmering style and it’s truly nostalgic. Carpenter even uses that same harmony echo and background “aha-aha,” like in “Angel Eyes.” It’s like one huge celebration, as if you were listening to the end of “Chiquitita.”
A celebration of what, you might ask? “Goodbye” is about freedom, letting go, and finding independence. She sings, “Well, sayonara, adiós/You’re not bilingual, but you should know/Goodbye means that you’re losin’ me for life/Can’t call it love, then call it quits/Can’t shoot me down, then shoot the shit.” In true cheeky fashion, she uses the word “goodbye” in several different languages as she bids both the subject and us as the listener, farewell.
2. “Nobody’s Son”: If you think you haven’t heard this one, you’re probably wrong. Within a few days the bridge to this track has blown up on social media. Other than the bridge, from the verses to the chorus, this song is for the girls who can’t relate to Taylor Swift’s engagement. It’s the musical embodiment of what it’s like dating in your 20s. The girls that get it, get it. Carpenter sings, “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 have guessed he’s like the rest, so fine and so deceiving/There’s nobody’s son, not anyone left for me to believe in.”
And how could one not give any attention to the catchy bridge of, “That boy is corrupt/Could you raise him to love me, maybe?/He sure fucked me up/And, yes, I’m talkin’ ‘bout your baby.” This song not only plays on the aspect of everyone around you being happy and in love, but also on how men should be raised. Should moms take notes?
3.“Go Go Juice”: Carpenter gave her advice for listening to her album during her release party interview at Hollywood Cemetery in LA. She said, “If you have a glass of white wine, if you’re sober make a mocktail, if you don’t do that, drink some apple juice, just whatever makes you feel your best.” This track is the perfect ambiance for her listening tip, hence the title.
Something about this track makes me think Dolly Parton would dance to this in her kitchen. It’s carefree, cheeky, and has many references to Carpenter’s dating history for those who know the gossip. What I love the most is how the bridge is full of classic drunk messages and voicemails, right down to the pronunciation. She sings, “Ba-da-da, da-da-da, how’s you’s been? What’s up?/Ba-da-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-da-da-da-da/Bye, it’s me, howsmm call? Do you me still love?/…Should we hooks up?” Leave it to Carpenter to bring the irrational into the forefront of our minds.
4.“House Tour”: One thing we should all appreciate about Carpenter is that she’s able to talk about something without directly talking about it. That’s what makes “House Tour” such a hilariously clever track and in my top five. The scandalous hidden meanings will have you smiling with every line. In my opinion, she’s one of the few artists that can pull off songs like this. She sings, “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/But never enter through the back door/House tour.” Step inside Carpenter’s lyrical Barbie dream house and understand the jokes!
5.“Tears”: While I do love a good classic film reference to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” something about this song being the second single didn’t make sense to me. At first listen I was super underwhelmed, until I thought about what the song was trying to get across. Thus making it my final pick for the top five and should not be skipped!
The message of this song has been quickly overlooked considering its risque lyrics and innuendos. She sings, “I get wet at the thought of you/Being a responsible guy/Treating me like you’re supposed to do/Tears run down my thighs.” She goes on to sing about how he communicates, respects her, and assembles chairs from IKEA. Can no one see this song as poking fun at the “bare minimum?” This song says a lot about the current state of dating culture and how women are looking to be treated.
Give these songs a listen and decide for yourself: Is this album “Man’s Best Friend” or (Wo)man’s Best Friend?
