how many things
Sabrina Carpenter
The Labyrinth of Unrequited Attention
Sabrina Carpenter's song "how many things" delves into the emotional turmoil of feeling like a low priority in someone's life. The lyrics express the singer's struggle with the lingering presence of a person who once held significance but now seems to have moved on, leaving the singer to question their own importance in that person's world.
The song opens with vivid imagery of everyday objects, like forks, that trigger memories of the past relationship. This illustrates how the most mundane things can become imbued with meaning and how difficult it can be to escape reminders of someone you care about. The rooftop scene serves as a metaphor for a time when the connection felt special and elevated above the ordinary, a stark contrast to the present where the singer feels forgotten.
The chorus is a poignant reflection on self-worth and the pain of unreciprocated attention. Carpenter's lyrics convey a sense of longing and the frustration of being an afterthought. The repetition of the line "I wonder how many things you think about before you get to me" underscores the central theme of the song: the desire to be a priority in someone's life and the heartache that comes with the realization that you might not be. The song resonates with anyone who has ever felt sidelined in a relationship, capturing the universal experience of unrequited love and the search for self-validation.