The Secret Behind Girl in Red's Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on 'You Need Me Now?' Revealed

How Girl in Red Manifested Her Collaboration With Sabrina Carpenter on ‘You Need Me Now?’

Girl in Red and Sabrina Carpenter. Getty Images (2)

Girl in Red’s Marie Ulven Ringheim had a brilliant idea while recording her latest album, I’m Doing It Again, Baby! She thought it would be awesome to have Sabrina Carpenter on the track "You Need Me Now?".

While on my flight to Australia, I had 'Nonsense,' her song, playing on repeat the whole time," Ulven, 25, shared with We in an exclusive interview. "I was like, 'Oh, my God, I'm obsessed with this song.'"

After expressing her love for "Nonsense" on Instagram, Ulven received a message from Carpenter, 25, who mentioned seeing Ulven's 2022 Coachella performance. It turns out, the admiration was mutual.

"Later in the summer, I reached out again because I had this idea. I thought it would be really fun to have her on the song," Ulven shared. "I casually made the transition in the studio without even asking her first. Then I sent it to her."

How Girl in Red Manifested Her Collaboration With Sabrina Carpenter on ‘You Need Me Now?’

Isak Jenssen

That transition line — which Ulven threw out there before she had even reached out to Carpenter — made it on the album, and the rest is history.

Ulven shared that they found the idea of breaking the fourth wall and introducing someone to sing really funny. Carpenter was enthusiastic about it and recorded her part in New York within four hours. They put it all together and it sounded great.

After Ulven mentioned wanting Carpenter to be part of the song, Carpenter immediately agreed and jumped into her verse, saying, “Oh, my God, you’re so right / I’m gonna sing now.”

“[Sabrina’s] such a big star,” Ulven told Us. “I’m such a big fan of her. She deserves everything she’s working for and everything that’s coming her way.”

How Girl in Red Manifested Her Collaboration With Sabrina Carpenter on ‘You Need Me Now?’

Isak Jenssen

Ulven's second album, Again, comes from a "better place" compared to her debut album, If I Could Make It Go Quiet, which gained popularity in the U.S. and earned her two Norwegian Grammy Awards. While Quiet focused on Ulven's personal mental health battles, Again celebrates fun and self-confidence.

Ulven explained that her ideas for "I'm Doing It Again, Baby!" were more upbeat and focused on love and self-confidence, rather than being solely sad. She wanted to bring a more energetic and positive vibe to her music.

One of the key factors that boosted Ulven's confidence as a performer was the experience of playing in some of the biggest arenas worldwide as the opening act for Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour.

How Girl in Red Manifested Her Collaboration With Sabrina Carpenter on ‘You Need Me Now?’

girl in red performs onstage during Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ on June 9, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Scott Legato/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Swift, 34, reached out to Ulven after sharing her song "I'll Call You Mine" on her Instagram Story, which was a surprising move for the pop star.

Ulven was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw Swift's post, recalling that she cried for an hour, hugged everyone around her, and felt incredibly grateful. Swift's music had a significant impact on Ulven's upbringing and inspired her to pursue a career in music.

Ulven expressed her admiration and gratitude for being part of the highest-grossing tour of all time, despite feeling scared. She even described herself as "a little sheep that is super happy and smiley and yappy."

Bringing the same positive energy, Ulven is actively participating in Pride Month. As a queer singer-songwriter, she has become a queer icon, with many TikTok users asking, "Do you listen to Girl in Red?" as a way to confirm someone's gay identity.

Ulven is proud to be a role model for her LGBTQIA+ fans. She encourages them to stay safe and spend time with their gay friends, especially during Pride Month. Surrounding yourself with supportive and accepting people is key. Ulven also advocates for supporting other queer artists and embracing queer culture. She believes in celebrating by engaging in activities that embrace LGBTQIA+ identity.

“I’m hopping on a gay-ass flight to Switzerland,” she told Us.

Editor's P/S:

Girl in Red's latest album, "I'm Doing It Again, Baby!" marks a shift in her musical journey, moving away from the introspective and introverted themes of her debut album towards a more upbeat and celebratory tone. Her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on the track "You Need Me Now?" is a testament to her newfound confidence and the power of mutual admiration. The album's title track epitomizes this evolution, with its energetic and self-assured lyrics.

Ulven's experience as an opening act on Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour has further bolstered her self-belief. She credits Swift's music as a formative influence on her career and expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to share the stage with such an iconic artist. Ulven's active involvement in Pride Month highlights her role as a queer icon and her commitment to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. By encouraging her fans to embrace their identities and connect with supportive individuals, she creates a sense of belonging and empowerment.