Released: 2025
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder” dives deep into the complexities of self-worth and vulnerability in relationships. The song captures the struggle of wanting to be loved while simultaneously putting up barriers due to past experiences. It’s a raw and honest portrayal of how past heartbreaks can make someone guarded and difficult to love.
The opening lines reveal a longing to meet someone as a more optimistic version of oneself. Sabrina reflects on how she used to be more open and willing to give in, but now, due to past experiences, she finds it hard to let her guard down. The phrase “glass-half-full version of me” is a metaphor for a more positive and hopeful outlook, something she feels she’s lost over time.
In the chorus, Sabrina acknowledges the difficulty she presents in being loved. Her partner is eager and ready to embrace her, but she holds back, not allowing them to get too close. The line “I couldn’t make it any harder to love me” is a candid admission of her own barriers and the frustration it causes in the relationship.
The song takes a turn as Sabrina blames her guarded nature on “fuckboys”—a term for guys who are insincere or manipulative in relationships. These past encounters have left her reactionary and protective, symbolized by the “graveyard in my stomach,” which represents the lasting impact of hurtful comments and experiences.
Despite her partner’s attempts to reassure her and compliment her, Sabrina remains skeptical and distant. She knows her partner is frustrated by her reluctance to let them in, but she warns them that they don’t truly understand how difficult she can make things. The song ends on a somber note, with Sabrina predicting that one day her partner will seek someone who makes love easy, highlighting her fear of being left behind due to her own insecurities.
