Sabrina Carpenter breaks down her TikTok hit 'Nonsense'

Sabrina joined us on For The Record

Sabrina Carpenter
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 21st Mar 2023
Last updated 17th Aug 2023

Singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter joined us on For The Record. This a chance for fans to hear more about super successful songs, straight from the artist. Sabrina's song 'Nonsense' has been a TikTok viral hit, so we wanted to know more about it.

In this interview, we asked Sabrina to break down her hit, telling us how she came up with the idea of the song, what was going through her mind when she woke up the morning the song was written, and how she felt when it became a massive hit.

What was the inspiration behind the song?

Sabrina revealed that at the time she wrote 'Nonsense' she was also writing another song which was slow and sad, and she had writer's block. She took the opportunity of having writer's block with one song, to write a hit having a light bulb moment.

"It was kind of redirection by fate!" she admitted. "I was writing another song which was quite sad and slow, and I kinda got writer's block. I couldn't really finish it! Maybe probably because I wasn't really in the headspace."

In an effort to get away from that other song she wrote 'Nonsense'. Sabrina explained: "There's a lot of humour infused in the song, which is very similar to how I feel when I'm kind of crushing on somebody the first time. Maybe it's a little too close to home!"

For The Record: Sabrina Carpenter breaks down 'Nonsense':

What was going through her mind the day she wrote 'Nonsense'?

Although she didn't reveal exactly what was going through her mind, when she woke up the morning the song was written, Sabrina said she was probably hungry. Sabrina admitted it was nothing to do with the song, she explained her favourite part about writing songs is: "You start the day without them and then you end the day with a song," explaining it's: "Something special."

How did Sabrina feel when her song went viral?

Sabrina admitted that she didn't feel like her song was viral! "I feel like it's cool when people are like 'oh I love your song!', 'I know your song!'," she said. "But I don't know, it takes like hammering it in, which I just try to stay away and let people enjoy it. It's been really cool to see the reaction on tour, I think that's probably like the first time that I realised that it was a fan favourite."

Watch the music video for Sabrina Carpenter's 'Nonsense':

Did Sabrina Carpenter write 'Nonsense'?

Yes, she did! Sabrina wrote her hit with Steph Jones, and it was produced by Julian Bunetta. As she explained in For The Record, 'Nonsense' was written when she was experiencing writer's block on another song.

What album is 'Nonsense' on?

Sabrina's song 'Nonsense' is on her album 'Emails I Can't Send', the album was released in July 2022 and featured 13 songs on the standard edition. 'Nonsense' is track nine.

What is For The Record?

For The Record is a chance for fans to find out more about a particular song or album directly from the artist who wrote it. Get closer to your favourite artists and find out the inspiration behind the lyrics their biggest hits.

Take a look through tours to look forward to this year:

Myles Smith

Myles Smith has announced his biggest solo tour due to take place in February 2025. His tour, called the 'We Were Never Strangers' tour, will start on 15th February in Leeds, before finishing in London on 26th February.

Craig David

Craig David will be going on tour in February 2025, with special guest Lemar. The singer has announced a series of dates across the UK, including Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle and many more.

Sabrina Carpenter

'Espresso' icon Sabrina Carpenter will be gracing the UK & Ireland with dates on her 'Short N' Sweet Tour' in March 2025. The tour is in support of her sixth studio album of the same name, and will also see her perform across North America and Europe.
She's also announced she'll headline American Express Presents BST Hyde Park, in London, on Saturday 5th July.

Usher

Usher has announced several tour dates in the UK in March, April and May 2025. Tickets are now on sale for all dates.

Sean Paul and Ashanti

Sean Paul and Ashanti are teaming up for a collaborative tour in April 2025, playing dates across the UK and Ireland. The tour will kick off in Belfast on 9th April with both Ashanti and Sean Paul, before Sean plays solo in Aberdeen and Newcastle. Ashanti will then re-join the tour for dates in Leeds, Glasgow, Nottingham, London, Birmingham and Manchester, with Sean finishing the tour on his own in Cardiff, Brighton and Bournemouth.

Olly Murs

Olly Murs has announced a huge 16 date UK and Ireland tour for April and May 2025. The tour is to celebrate 15 years in music, and he will be joined by special guests Blue.

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow has announced a huge UK and Ireland tour, with dates in April, May and June 2025. The 'Let Me Go' singer will be visiting 27 locations, performing songs from his back catalogue, including some of his iconic Take That hits. Tickets for the 'Songbook Tour' go on sale on Friday 29th November 2024.

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue has announced her latest tour will be called 'The Tension Tour' and will take place in the UK throughout May 2025. Speaking about her tour, Kylie said: "I am beyond excited to announce the TENSION TOUR 2025. I can't wait to share beautiful and wild moments with fans all over the world, celebrating the Tension era and more! It's been an exhilarating ride so far and now, get ready for your close up because I will be calling Lights, Camera, Action … and there will be a whole lot of Padaming!"

Scissor Sisters

The Scissors Sisters are returning for a UK tour, performing in Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Leeds, Birmingham and more in May 2025. The last time the band were on tour was back in 2012 with their 'Let's Have A Kiki Tour', named after a song on their fourth album 'Magic Hour'. This new tour will feature Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis and celebrate the release of their debut album.

Nelly

Noughties legend Nelly is bringing his 'Where The Party At' tour to the UK in celebration of the 25th anniversary of his debut album 'Country Grammar'. He'll be joined by special guests Eve, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri and St. Lunatics when he heads to London, Birmingham and Manchester in June 2025.
Nelly is best known for his iconic R&B tracks 'Ride Wit Me', 'Hot In Herre' and collab with Kelly Clarkson 'Dilemma'.

Sam Fender

Sam Fender has announced two dates in his home town of Newcastle in June 2025, which will follow his tour of the UK and Ireland in the run up to Christmas 2024. He'll head to St James' Park on Thursday 12th and Saturday 14th June.

Dua Lipa

Not only did Dua Lipa delight fans when she announced a new UK date for her 'Radical Optimism' tour - performing at Wembley Stadium in London - but she upped the excitement as she added another date, due to popular demand. She will be performing at the world-famous venue on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st June 2025.


She later announced a date in Liverpool on 24th June 2025.

Olivia Rodrigo

Despite only recently finishing her 'Guts World Tour', 'Vampire' singer Olivia Rodrigo has announced more UK tour dates for 2025. She'll be heading to London's Hyde Park for American Express presents BST Hyde Park on Friday 27th June. She'll also be heading to Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena for her rescheduled set on Monday 30th June and Tuesday 1st July, after problems with the venue forced cancellation at the eleventh hour in May 2024.

The Script

The Script sold out the first UK leg of their 'Satellites World Tour', which took place in 2024 — but they have now announced several more dates for June and July 2025 taking place at several festivals and outdoor venues.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish's 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' tour will be coming to the UK in July 2025 after visiting the US, Australia and wider Europe. The 'Bad Guy' singer will be performing 12 dates in the UK, including in Manchester and London. It follows the release of her third album of the same name in May 2024.

Coldplay

Coldplay announced eight-date UK stadium tour in September 2024. The tour will take place in London and Hull, with two dates at Hull's Craven Park Stadium, and six at London's Wembley Stadium, in August 2025.

One Republic

One Republic will be heading out on tour in September 2025. The band behind huge hit 'Counting Stars' will be joined by special guest, Ella Henderson as they head to London, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham for the 'Escape to Europe 2025 Tour'.

Busted Vs McFly

Busted and McFly are teaming up for an ultimate battle of the bands tour in 2025, playing dates across the UK in September and October 2025. The tour is called Busted Vs McFly.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry is never afraid to put on a show, and she'll be doing just that in London, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and Glasgow in October 2025. She revealed in November 2024 that she'll be bringing 'The Lifetimes Tour' to the UK.

Now read:

Lewis Capaldi's biggest songs and the meanings behind them 🎶

The inspirations behind some of Ellie Goulding's biggest songs from 'Starry Eyed' to 'Burn'

Dua Lipa: Here's what her biggest songs REALLY mean 🎶

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online, ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio' and download the Rayo app.