Espresso

Espresso is a vibrant anthem of self-confidence and empowerment, using the metaphor of strong coffee to describe the narrator's addictive and energizing effect on a romantic interest. The central theme revolves around femininity as a superpower, where Sabrina Carpenter embraces her allure and the hold she has over her partner.

The title and recurring hook, "That's that me espresso," suggest that her personality and presence are as potent and stimulating as a shot of espresso. Just as caffeine keeps people awake and buzzing, she keeps her lover up at night, thinking about her. The lyrics celebrate a state of being unapologetically desirable and in control.

Beyond the surface level of a flirty relationship, the song reflects a carefree attitude toward life. Lines like "My give-a-fucks are on vacation" indicate a rejection of stress and desperation, prioritizing her own joy and career success. The song flips the script on traditional romantic pining; instead of the singer waiting for a call, she is the one who is busy, successful, and occupying the thoughts of others.

The song opens with the narrator asserting her dominance and allure in a relationship, confidently stating that her partner is consumed by thoughts of her every night. She questions rhetorically if her presence is really that sweet, before casually confirming it. She likens herself to an addictive substance that keeps him awake, claiming that this sleeplessness is a direct result of her influence—her "espresso" effect.

She describes her carefree attitude, noting that she cannot relate to desperation and that her concerns are non-existent, metaphorically on vacation. She playfully mentions that she is working late, not out of obligation, but because she is a singer, implying a glamorous and busy lifestyle. The narrative continues with her teasing her partner, suggesting that she brewed his morning coffee and refreshed his world with just one touch, positioning herself as an essential, revitalizing force in his life.

The lyrics delve into a playful game of cat-and-mouse, where she controls the dynamic, switching things up like a video game console. She acknowledges that he is wrapped around her finger and completely infatuated. She describes her own scent and softness as tools of her attraction, aware that he is drawn to her like a bee to honey. Throughout the song, she maintains a tone of witty arrogance, repeatedly emphasizing that his obsession and inability to sleep are solely due to her intoxicating, energizing nature.

Espresso was written during a ten-day break from Sabrina Carpenter's Emails I Can't Send tour in July 2023. Seeking a creative escape, Carpenter traveled to the village of Chailland, France, where she recorded at Flow Studios. The song was a collaborative effort between Carpenter and songwriters Amy Allen, Steph Jones, and producer Julian Bunetta.

Carpenter described the writing process as incredibly fast and instinctual, capturing the fun and giddy energy of the environment. She stated in interviews that she wanted to capture the feeling of being a "bitch" in a positive, empowered way. The track was kept under wraps until its release on April 11, 2024, strategically timed just one day before her debut performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where she performed it live for the first time.

The song relies heavily on the central metaphor of espresso. This represents not just energy, but addiction and intensity. Like a strong coffee that prevents sleep, the narrator's memory invades her lover's mind, causing insomnia fueled by desire rather than anxiety. It transforms the idea of "losing sleep" over someone into a flex about how memorable she is.

• Nintendo: The line "Switch it up like Nintendo" serves as a double entendre. It refers to the Nintendo Switch console, symbolizing playfulness and the idea that she treats the relationship like a game she controls. It also implies versatility (switching positions or moods).
• Morning Coffee: By singing "That morning coffee, brewed it for ya," she claims ownership over the most essential part of his daily routine. She is the reason he wakes up and the fuel that keeps him going.
• Vacation: The metaphor "My give-a-fucks are on vacation" physically places her emotional state in a place of luxury and relaxation, distancing her from the mundane stresses or "desperation" of others.

The predominant emotion of Espresso is joyful confidence. There is no trace of heartbreak, longing, or sadness. The atmosphere is sunny, breezy, and effortlessly cool. Through the upbeat instrumentation and Carpenter's sassy vocal delivery, the song evokes feelings of self-assurance and the excitement of a summer romance where the narrator holds all the cards. It shifts slightly from a relaxed, conversational tone in the verses to a more melodic and infectious energy in the chorus, mirroring the "rush" of the caffeine metaphor.

Espresso became an immediate cultural phenomenon upon its release in 2024. It was widely dubbed the "Song of the Summer" by critics and fans alike. The song skyrocketed up the charts, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting Number 1 on the Billboard Global 200 and in the UK Official Charts.

The lyric "That's that me espresso" became a massive TikTok trend and meme, with users applying the grammatical structure to various situations. The song played a pivotal role in cementing Sabrina Carpenter's status as a main pop girl, transitioning her from a successful actor/singer to a global superstar. It was also performed as a mashup with "Is It Over Now?" and "Please Please Please" during Carpenter's opening set on Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour, further amplifying its reach.

The song is written in a standard 4/4 time signature with a mid-tempo, danceable beat (approx. 104 BPM). The rhythmic structure is built around a heavy kick drum and a groovy bassline that drives the track forward.

The rhyme scheme in the chorus is particularly effective, utilizing a monorhyme centered on the "o" sound to match the title: espresso, guess so, know. This repetition creates a hypnotic, chant-like quality. In the verses, Carpenter uses multi-syllabic and internal rhymes combined with casual, conversational phrasing (e.g., "brewed it for ya" / "brand newed it for ya"), which adds to the song's rhythmic bounce and cheeky tone.

Musically, Espresso is a pastiche of retro-disco and funk elements modernized for a pop audience. It features a driving, syncopated bassline, shimmering synthesizers, and a rhythm guitar groove characteristic of Nile Rodgers-style funk. The production by Julian Bunetta creates a breezy, beach-ready atmosphere.

Vocally, Carpenter employs a "talk-singing" style in the verses, delivering lines with a relaxed, almost whispery confidence that contrasts with the melodic, soaring ad-libs in the background. This delivery enhances the "unbothered" persona of the lyrics. The song also utilizes a grammatically playful hook ("That's that me espresso"), turning a noun into an adjective/descriptor, which acts as a sticky earworm due to its slight linguistic wrongness.

What does 'That's that me espresso' mean?

The line is a playful, grammatically unique way of saying 'I am that energy.' Sabrina Carpenter is using 'espresso' as an adjective to describe her own vibe—addictive, high-energy, and keeping you awake. She explained it as identifying femininity as a superpower.

Is the grammar in 'Espresso' incorrect?

Yes, 'That's that me espresso' is technically grammatically incorrect, but it is a stylistic choice known as solecism. The awkward phrasing makes the hook stickier and more memorable, contributing significantly to the song's viral nature.

Who wrote 'Espresso' by Sabrina Carpenter?

The song was co-written by Sabrina Carpenter, Amy Allen, Steph Jones, and Julian Bunetta. Julian Bunetta also produced the track. It was written at Flow Studios in France.

What is the 'Nintendo' reference in the song?

The line 'Switch it up like Nintendo' references the Nintendo Switch gaming console. It's a metaphor for her ability to change the dynamic of the relationship, be versatile, and 'play games' with her partner, keeping them entertained and on their toes.

What genre is 'Espresso'?

'Espresso' is primarily a pop song with heavy influences of disco, funk, and synth-pop. It is often categorized as 'nu-disco' or 'funk-pop' due to its groovy bassline and retro aesthetic.