Who put the baby in charge?
It’s already hard
To buy all the parts
And learn to use them
Who put the world on my back
And not in my hands?
Just give me a chance
I listen to my mama
I listen to my dad
I listen to my sisters
Everyone relax
Everybody answers shit I didn’t ask
Think I’m reaching my limit
Can I exhale for a minute?
Can I get this out in the open?
Can I sit down for a second?
Can I breathe?
Can I exhale for a minute?
Can we talk it out? I don’t get it
Can I calm down for a moment?
Can I breathe for just one second?
I put too much weight on words and glances
I, I put too much weight on situations
I, I put too much on myself
Thinking I don’t deserve what I’ve earned
But, yeah
I listen to the labels
Listen to the man
Try to keep a sense of knowing who I am
I try to be an angel but I don’t think I can
Think I’m reaching my limits, yeah
Can I exhale for a minute?
Can I get this out in the open?
Can I sit down for a second?
Can I breathe?
Can I exhale for a minute?
Can we talk it out? I don’t get it
Can I calm down for a moment?
Can I breathe for just one second, baby?
Can I breathe?
Can I breathe?
Can I breathe?
Can I breathe?
Can I breathe?
Can I breathe?
Finding Relief Amid Overwhelm
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Exhale” is a heartfelt anthem for anyone feeling the weight of expectation and self-doubt. The song captures the struggle of trying to please everyone—family, industry figures, and society—while desperately seeking a moment of peace. Carpenter’s repeating plea to “exhale” becomes a powerful metaphor for needing space to process emotions and find clarity. The lyrics reveal an internal battle, where overthinking and pressure lead to a yearning for validation and understanding. Through candid admissions, Carpenter invites listeners to acknowledge their limits and embrace vulnerability as a form of strength.
Song Credits
Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Songwriters: Sabrina Carpenter, Steph Jones, Ross Golan, Johan Carlsson
Release Year: 2019
Label: Hollywood Records