Once upon a time, a few mistakes ago
I was in your sights, you got me alone
You found me, you found me, you found me
I guess you didn’t care, and I guess I liked that
And when I fell hard you took a step back
Without me, without me, without me
And he’s long gone when he’s next to me
And I realize the blame is on me
‘Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I’d never been
‘Til you put me down, oh
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I’d never been
Now I’m lying on the cold hard ground
No apologies. He’ll never see you cry
Pretends he doesn’t know that he’s the reason why
You’re drowning, drowning, drowning
Now I heard you moved on from whispers on the street
A new notch in your belt is all I’ll ever be
And now I see, now I see, now I see
He was long gone when he met me
And I realize the joke is on me
Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I’d never been
‘Til you put me down, oh
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I’d never been
Now I’m lying on the cold hard ground
Trouble, trouble, trouble
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble
And the saddest fear comes creeping in
That you never loved me or her, or anyone, or anything
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me
Flew me to places I’d never been
‘Til you put me down, oh
I knew I knew I knew I knew
Baby I knew
I knew I knew I knew I knew
Baby I knew
The Emotional Rollercoaster of “I Knew You Were Trouble”
Sabrina Carpenter’s rendition of “I Knew You Were Trouble” captures the intense emotions that come with falling for someone who was never truly invested. The lyrics vividly narrate the aftermath of a relationship built on warning signs, regret, and self-reflection. Carpenter’s voice brings sincerity to the storytelling, as the protagonist recognizes her own accountability in the heartbreak, singing about ignoring the danger and embracing the inevitable chaos. The repeated refrain, “I knew you were trouble when you walked in,” highlights the blend of attraction and foreboding that often accompanies toxic relationships.
Facing Heartache and Moving Forward
The song also delves into the universal theme of dealing with the fallout of love gone wrong. Lines about blame, loss, and the realization that the other person may never have been capable of real love create a relatable sense of vulnerability. Carpenter conveys not just sorrow, but also a growing sense of wisdom and strength, making this track resonate with anyone who has ever had to pick up the pieces after trusting the wrong person.
Song Credits
Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Songwriters: Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback