You’re so dumb and poetic
It’s just what I fall for, I like the aesthetic
Every self-help book, you’ve already read it
Cherry-pick lines like they’re words you invented
Gold star for hi-brow manipulation
And, “Love everyone,” is your favorite quotation
Try to come off like you’re soft and well-spoken
Jack off to lyrics by Leonard Cohen
Don’t think you understand
Just ’cause you talk like one doesn’t make you a man
You’re so sad there’s no communication
But, baby, you put us in this situation
You’re running so fast from the hearts that you’re breakin’
Save all your breath for your floor meditation
You’re so empathetic, you’d make a great wife
And I promise the mushrooms aren’t changing your life
Well, you crashed the car and abandoned the wreckage
Fuck with my head like it’s some kind of fetish
Don’t think you understand
Just ’cause you act like one doesn’t make you a man
Don’t think you understand
Just ’cause you leave like one
Doesn’t make you a man
Unpacking the Irony in “Dumb & Poetic”
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Dumb & Poetic” cleverly critiques the archetype of the sensitive, pseudo-intellectual lover. The song’s narrator calls out a partner who hides behind poetic language and performative empathy, exposing the irony in their self-proclaimed enlightenment. Vivid references to self-help books, Leonard Cohen, and meditation paint a picture of someone desperate to appear deep, yet emotionally unavailable and manipulative. The repeated refrain, “Just ’cause you talk like one doesn’t make you a man,” underscores the gap between words and genuine maturity. Carpenter’s sharp lyricism balances humor and frustration, revealing the pain of loving someone who confuses vulnerability for virtue.
Song Credits
“Dumb & Poetic” is performed by Sabrina Carpenter. Songwriting credits include Sabrina Carpenter. The song was released in 2024.