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Bed Chem

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"Bed Chem"
A pink-tinted image of Carpenter lying on a bed while holding a microphone, with the text "PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED" at the bottom.
Single by Sabrina Carpenter
from the album Short n' Sweet
ReleasedOctober 8, 2024 (2024-10-08)
Studio
GenreSynth-pop
Length2:51
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • John Ryan
  • Ian Kirkpatrick
Sabrina Carpenter singles chronology
"Taste"
(2024) 		"Bed Chem"
(2024)

"Bed Chem" is a song by American singer Sabrina Carpenter from her sixth studio album, Short n' Sweet (2024). Carpenter wrote it with songwriters Julia Michaels and Amy Allen and its producers, John Ryan and Ian Kirkpatrick. The song became available as the album's sixth track on August 23, 2024, when the album was released by Island Records. The song impacted contemporary hit radio on October 8, 2024, as the album's fourth single. Musically, it is a synth-pop song that infuses notes of early 2000s R&B.

Background

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In January 2021, Sabrina Carpenter signed a recording contract with Island Records.[1][2] She announced that she was working on her sixth studio album in March 2024, exploring new genres and expecting that it would herald a new chapter in her life.[3][4] In anticipation of her performance at Coachella, Carpenter announced that a single called "Espresso" would be released on April 11, 2024.[5] The song was a surprise success, becoming her first number one single on the Billboard Global 200 chart and her first song to enter the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6][7] She followed this with "Please Please Please" in June, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[8]

Preceding an official announcement, billboards bearing tweets about Carpenter's height began appearing throughout New York City.[9] On June 3, 2024, she announced that the album, titled Short n' Sweet, would be released by Island Records on August 23, 2024, and revealed its cover artwork.[10] The tracklist was revealed on July 9, 2024.[11] Carpenter wrote the song "Bed Chem" with songwriters Julia Michaels and Amy Allen and its producers, John Ryan and Ian Kirkpatrick.[12] The song became available for digital download on the album, which was released on August 23, 2024.[13]

Composition

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Music and production

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"Bed Chem" is two minutes and 51 seconds long,[13] and is often described to sound like a primarily synth-pop song infused with early 2000's R&B.[14][15] It was recorded at the Perch in Calabasas, California, Juicy Hill Studios in the Bahamas, and the Playpen in Calabasas, California. Ryan and Kirkpatrick produced and programmed the song. They play drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, and bass, and they engineered it with Jeff Gunnell. Nathan Dantzler mastered the song with assistance from Harrison Tate, and Serban Ghenea mixed it at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach with engineering from Bryce Bordone.[12]

The song has a tempo of 95 BPM and is in the key of A major. It is set in a 4/4 time signature and features high energy. The chord progression is D-Bm-G-A.[16][17]

Analysis

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Christina Aguilera in 2006
Barry Keoghan in 2024
Carpenter was inspired by American singer Christina Aguilera's (left) work; the song is also surmised by various journalists to be about her then-boyfriend, Irish actor Barry Keoghan (right).

Upon its release, various journalists have analysed the song, its lyrics and their subsequent meanings.[18] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz described the song as "a dreamy flirtation full of pinpoint vocals, personal touches, sexual innuendos and melodies".[19] The title of the song, "Bed Chem", is shorthand for "bedroom chemistry",[18] and its lyrics revolve around Carpenter feeling an intense attraction to a man, leading her to imagine what they would be like together in bed.[20] She sings about how the man has captivated her and she invites him to "come right on me", despite their different timezones.[18] She uses slang terms relating to sexual intercourse, references the 69 sex position and also makes several euphemisms about penis sizes in its lyrics.[20]

Paper magazine writer Erica Campbell felt that the song highlighted Carpenter's sultry side.[21] Describing its conception, Carpenter jokingly stated that, "there was a lot of steam in the studio. It was real hot and heavy".[21] Carpenter noted that going into the studio, she wanted to "write a song both sexy and lighthearted".[21] She cited American singer Christina Aguilera as an inspiration for the song, stating that the song's retro vibe was influenced by Aguilera and other music she grew up listening to.[21]

Various journalists also compared the song's lyrics to the relationship between Carpenter and her then-boyfriend, Irish actor Barry Keoghan, where Carpenter remembers wearing a "sheer dress", while the man in the song wore a white jacket and had a strong accent.[22] Elle's Maya Ernest and StyleCaster's Sophie Hanson perceived several references to Keoghan,[23][22] while Dylan Kickham of Elite Daily opined that Carpenter "made the muse of [the song] incredibly clear" adding that the song is "all about her boyfriend Barry Keoghan's prowess in the bedroom."[24] Keoghan himself later stated on Instagram that the song was his favorite from Short n' Sweet.[25]

Critical reception

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Campbell picked "Bed Chem" as a highlight on Short n' Sweet.[21] Lipshutz ranked it fourth among the twelve album tracks, stating that it has "melodies strong enough to be main hooks that then lead into even better melodies. As a phrase, 'Bed Chem' is about to enter the cultural lexicon faster than you can say 'me espresso'; as a showcase for what Carpenter does best, the song is both sensual, earnest and unafraid to make you laugh. Regardless of how 'Bed Chem' performs on the charts, clock this one as a no-doubt fan favorite."[19] Capital's Sam Prance thought that in the context of Carpenter "being unashamedly horny in her music", she had "outdone herself" with the song.[18] Rhian Daly's NME finds out "Bed Chem" alongside the track "Good Graces" are "moulded in Ariana Grande’s image.[26] Carl Wilson of Slate believed that it or the track "Juno" were the "horniest" ones on the album, and he agreed that the titular phrase would become popular online.[20] Nylon included it in their list of the seven best songs of its release week, with Sofia Ante stating that Carpenter was "at her most charming — cheeky, seductive, and impossible to resist — that'll leave you blushing for three full minutes".[27]

Critics' year-end rankings of "Bed Chem”
Publication List Rank Ref.
The Independent The 20 Best Songs of 2024 8 [28]

Credits and personnel

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Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Short n' Sweet.[12]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Bed Chem"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[48] Platinum 80,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[49] Gold 15,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[50] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release date and format for "Bed Chem"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States October 8, 2024 Contemporary hit radio Island [53]
Various January 10, 2025 7-inch vinyl [54]

References

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  1. ^ Chan, Anna (January 26, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Signs with Island Records: 'It's the Perfect Place for Me'". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Aswad, Jem (January 26, 2021). "Sabrina Carpenter Signs with Island Records". Variety. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
  3. ^ Hawke, Maya (February 8, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter and Maya Hawke on Rethinking the Pop Star Playbook". Interview. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Frank Revees, Madeleine (March 27, 2024). "I Am Pleased to Inform You That Your Massive Crush on Sabrina Carpenter Is Justified". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  5. ^ Dailey, Hannah (April 9, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter Announces New Single 'Espresso' Ahead of Coachella 2024: Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Trust, Gary (June 17, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter Pours Double Shot of 'Espresso' & 'Please Please Please' at Nos. 1 & 2 on Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  7. ^ Trust, Gary (April 22, 2024). "'Sweet' Success: Hozier Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for First Time". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Trust, Gary (June 24, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter's 'Please Please Please' Becomes Her First Billboard Hot 100 No. 1". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Bailey, Alyssa (June 3, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter's Album Short n' Sweet: All We Know So Far". Elle. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  10. ^ Garcia, Thania (June 3, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter to Release New Album Short n' Sweet in August". Variety. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Kurp, Josh (July 9, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter Unveils 'Short N' Sweet' Tracklist With Cheeky Video". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c Sabrina Carpenter (2024). Short n' Sweet (Media notes). Island Records.
  13. ^ a b "'Bed Chem' — Song by Sabrina Carpenter". Apple Music (US). Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  14. ^ Mylrea, Hannah (August 23, 2024). "Short n' Sweet review | Sabrina Carpenter's highly anticipated record definitely echoes its title". WhyNow Media. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Bed Chem: Unpacking the Intimacy and Intrigue Behind the Lyrics". Neon Music. August 26, 2024. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  16. ^ "BED CHEM CHORDS by Sabrina Carpenter @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Bed Chem Chords by Sabrina Carpenter - Lamucal". lamucal.com. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d Prance, Sam (August 22, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter Explains the Horny Meaning Behind Her 'Bed Chem' Lyrics". Capital. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (August 23, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet: All 12 Songs Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c Wilson, Carl (August 23, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter, Poet Laureate of Sex". Slate. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e Campbell, Erica. "Sabrina Carpenter, Superstar". Paper. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Hanson, Sophie (August 23, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter Just Called Out the Size of Barry Keoghan's You-Know-What in Her New Song 'Bed Chem'". StyleCaster. Archived from the original on August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  23. ^ Ernest, Maya (August 23, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter's Steamy 'Bed Chem' Lyrics Seem to Reference Barry Keoghan". Elle. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  24. ^ Kickham, Dylan (August 23, 2024). "Sabrina Just Dropped a Horny Anthem All About Barry". Elite Daily. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  25. ^ Gularte, Alejandra (August 30, 2024). "Barry Keoghan Calls 'Bed Chem' His 'Fave' Sabrina Carpenter Song". Vulture. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  26. ^ Daly, Rhian (August 26, 2024). "Sabrina Carpenter – 'Short n' Sweet' review: a new pop princess ascends". NME. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  27. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter at Her Cheekiest & 7 Other New Songs Out This Week". Nylon. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  28. ^ Nugent, Annabel; O'Connor, Roisin; Chilton, Louis; White, Adam (November 18, 2024). "The 20 best songs of 2024, ranked". The Independent. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  29. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  30. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  31. ^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart: Dec 12, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  32. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  33. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) (Week: 36/2024)" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  34. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  35. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Nov 28, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  36. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  37. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: October 25th, 2024 – October 31st, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  39. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  40. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 38 (13 - 19 Sep 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  41. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 38". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  42. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  43. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  44. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  45. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  46. ^ "Sabrina Carpenter Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  47. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: November 2024". TopHit. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  48. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem". Music Canada. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  49. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  50. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  51. ^ "British single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  52. ^ "American single certifications – Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  53. ^ "YOUR RADIO ADD RECAPS". Hits Daily Double. October 8, 2004. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024.
  54. ^ "Bed Chem 7in". Sabrina Carpenter UK. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
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