In my opinion, Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’ was last year’s Song of the Summer regardless of what the charts said. Sure, it peaked at #3 on the Hot 100, but it felt like it was everywhere. And it’s exactly the sort of frothy crowd-pleaser that deserves the SotS title.
This year, Carpenter had another runner-up in ‘Manchild.’ This one did hit #1 (it even debuted there) but ended up at only #9 on the Songs of the Summer chart. Carpenter just can’t catch a break.
(Incidentally, #8 was Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club,’ which I’ve already featured).
‘Manchild’ isn’t as good a song as ‘Espresso’ but it’s still a fun listen. That said, I’d give the nod to ‘Pink Pony Club’ over this one if Song of the Summer should go to a main pop girl.
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?
Fuck 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?
Fuck 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)
Fuck 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)
My vote for Song of the Summer would go to “Pink Pony Club” as well. It’s incredibly catchy and seemed to be everywhere.
Meanwhile, the trend of throwing in a single F bomb into a commercial pop tune has become predictable and tiresome.