Sabrina Carpenter – Bad Reviews. Lyrics & Meaning
Sabrina Carpenter – Bad Reviews : Choosing Love Against All Odds (and Common Sense)
Ever found yourself in a situation where every single person, every gut feeling, and basically the entire universe is screaming at you that this is a bad idea, but you dive in headfirst anyway? That little voice in your head that says, “I know, I know… but what if?” It’s a universal feeling, that magnetic pull toward something we know is probably going to end in a glorious, fiery mess.
It’s that exact, deliciously complicated emotion that Sabrina Carpenter has perfectly captured in one of her most underrated gems. We’re about to take a deep dive into a song that’s less about a fairytale romance and more about the very human, very messy reality of choosing someone despite, well, everything. This isn’t just a song about a questionable partner; it’s a raw look into the mirror at why we sometimes make the choices we do.
Decoding the Delusion in “Bad Reviews” by Sabrina Carpenter
- Sabrina Carpenter – 15 Minutes : Fame’s a Fleeting Game, So Play it Well
- Sabrina Carpenter – Bad Reviews : Choosing Love Against All Odds (and Common Sense)
- Sabrina Carpenter – Taste : The Ghost on Your Lips
- Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem : The Ultimate Anticipation of Physical Chemistry
- Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso : The Art of Being Unforgettable
- Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild : Tired of Babysitting Grown Men
- Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please : A Lover’s Desperate Plea to Not Be a Walking Red Flag
- Sabrina Carpenter – Couldn’t Make It Any Harder : A Heartbreaking Ode to Self-Sabotage
- Meaning “On My Way” Alan Walker, Sabrina Carpenter & Farruko: Lyric, Quotes
Right from the get-go, Sabrina lays all her cards on the table. There’s no illusion here that she’s stumbled into this situation blindly. She knows exactly what she’s getting into, and she tells us straight up:
I’ve heard all the bad news and the bad reviews
Couple bad gut feelings, well, I’ve had them too
But, still, I choose to be in love with you
This isn’t a case of being naive. This is a conscious decision. She’s read the one-star Yelp review on this person, her own intuition is setting off alarms, and yet, she makes the choice. It’s a powerful opening that frames the entire song not as a tragedy, but as an act of deliberate, if questionable, will.
Willful Blindness 101
So, how does she justify it? How do any of us justify it? By engaging in a little bit of creative perception. Sabrina gives us one of the most brilliant and visual lines about ignoring red flags you’ll ever hear:
If I close an eye, it’s almost like your red flags are blue
Just let that sink in. She’s not saying the red flags disappear. She’s saying she’s squinting just right so they look like something else entirely—maybe not green flags, but at least a less alarming color. Blue can be serene, calm, or even sad. It’s a far cry from the blaring warning of red. It’s a masterful way of describing the mental gymnastics we perform to make a bad situation feel tenable, even desirable.
The song then paints a picture of this partner, and it’s… not great. He’s got a “short fuse” and takes “long baths,” a detail that feels so specific and strangely intimate, hinting at a volatile person who needs a lot of time to cool down. It’s a glimpse into the chaotic reality she’s choosing.
A Masterclass in Self-Aware Sabotage
Here’s where the song gets really interesting. Sabrina isn’t playing the victim. In fact, she’s fully aware of her own role in this drama. She admits her own state of mind is just as chaotic as his.
And I’m fresh out of any good judgment
I’m intentionally careless, least I got self-awareness
Wow. “Intentionally careless.” That’s the core of the whole song. She knows she’s being reckless, but it’s on purpose. It’s a rebellion against good sense, maybe fueled by loneliness or a desire for the kind of intense feeling that only comes from a high-stakes situation. That little addition, “least I got self-awareness,” is a darkly funny nod to the fact that knowing you’re a mess doesn’t always stop you from making a mess.
More Than Just a Bad Romance: The Fear Beneath the Surface
As the song continues, we see the real-world consequences of her choice. She’s not just ignoring her own gut; she’s pushing away the people who care about her, the ones holding up those red flags for her to see.
All the friends tryna save me, well, I, I cut them loose
‘Cause I refuse to be wrong again
This reveals a deeper layer of insecurity and pride. It’s not just about wanting this person; it’s about not wanting to admit she made another mistake. It’s about digging her heels in. Then comes the line that just breaks your heart with its honesty: she “can’t lose another boy that’s not even my boyfriend.” This suggests the “relationship” is undefined, adding a whole new level of desperation and proving that this is less about him and more about her own fear of being alone and “losing” again.
The entire narrative is built on a foundation of loneliness. She confesses, “Been alone for so long, I’ve got somethin’ to prove.” What does she have to prove? Maybe that she’s capable of being loved, or that she can make something work, even if it’s broken from the start. It’s a poignant, relatable motivation that makes her questionable choices feel incredibly human.
Ultimately, this song is a stunningly honest portrayal of human vulnerability. It’s not necessarily a celebration of toxic relationships, but rather a validation of the complicated feelings that lead us into them. The message here is that self-awareness is a powerful, if sometimes painful, tool. Recognizing why you’re making a choice—even a bad one—is the first step toward understanding yourself better. It’s an anthem for anyone who has ever chosen with their heart, even when their head knew better.
What’s your take on “Bad Reviews”? Do you see it as a cautionary tale about ignoring red flags, or a relatable story about the complexities of loneliness and love? Perhaps you have a completely different interpretation. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
