Behind the Meaning of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Coincidence”

Sabrina Carpenter aired out her relationship grievances on her latest album, Short n’ Sweet. She gets particularly candid on “Coincidence,” a wry song about a cheating ex. Uncover the meaning behind this buzzy Carpenter song, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Coincidence”

Though Carpenter hasn’t divulged exactly who this song is about, we can make some educated guesses. One of Carpenter’s most public facing relationships was with a fellow musician: Shawn Mendes. “Coincidence” seems to be a diatribe about the end of their coupling–which fans have long theorized ended in cheating.

The second I put my head on your chest
She knew, she’s got a real sixth sense
Now her name comes up once, then it comes up twice
And without her even bein’ here, she’s back in your life
Now she’s in the same damn city on the same damn night

Carpenter sings about an ex’s old girl coming back into the picture. Despite her boyfriend’s reassurance that it doesn’t mean anything, she’s sniffed out the truth. Without her even bein’ here, she’s back in your life, she sings.

Last week, you didn’t have any doubts
This week, you’re holdin’ space for her tongue in your mouth
Now shе’s sendin’ you some pictures wеarin’ less and less
Tryna turn the past into the present tense, huh
Suckin’ up to all of your mutual friends

She waves the truth in her partner’s face. Now shе’s sendin’ you some pictures wеarin’ less and less / Tryna turn the past into the present tense, she sings with a bite in her voice. Carpenter isn’t asking whether or not something is going on behind her back. She knows the truth and is ready for him to admit it.

And you’ve lost all your common sense (You’ve lost all your common sense)
The way you told me the truth, minus seven percent (Minus seven percent)
What a coincidence, uh

Carpenter isn’t afraid to get a little snide on this track. She has an air of dark humor in her delivery. Anyone who has been in a similar situation will know that laughing in the face of heartbreak is sometimes the only option.

What a surprise, your phone just died
Your car drove itself from L.A. to her thighs
Palm Springs looks nice, but who’s by your side?
Damn it, she looks kinda like the girl you outgrew
Least that’s what you said (That’s what you said)

Check out the track, below.

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