Article by Jillian Bueno
The long wait is over for you, Halsey fans! Finally, American singer-songwriter Halsey is coming to the Manila for the first time! Known for her songs “Colors”, “New Americana”, “Bad at Love”, and of course, one of her latest singles “Strangers” featuring Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui, the 23-year old artist brings us fresh electropop and synth-pop music.
Aside from producing music, Halsey is also an advocate for mental health, feminism, and diversity, and has been very open about it ever since. These issues are some of the songwriter’s influence when making songs and have been the reasons why her fans love her.
If you haven’t heard any of Halsey’s songs yet, here’s a playlist that will surely get you listening to her for the next few days.
5 Halsey Songs that are Essential for Your Electropop Playlist
5. Ghost
My ghost
Where’d you go?
I can’t find you in the body sleeping next to me
My ghost
Where’d you go?
What happened to the soul that you used to be?
To ghost someone means to suddenly leave him/her without warning. “Ghost” by Halsey talks about an ended relationship where the person is still in your thoughts like a ghost.
4. Hurricane
I’m a wanderess
I’m a one night stand
Don’t belong to no city
Don’t belong to no man
Hurricane speaks about empowerment. The last two lines suggest that a person doesn’t belong to anyone. They don’t need anyone or anything to define them, and nothing can change that. They are who they are, and they are complete on their own.
3. New Americana
Raised on Biggie and Nirvana
We are the New Americana
The term “New Americana” was popularized when Halsey released this song. It stands for the Generation Y kids, or the millennials. The lyrics state that Halsey was raised listening to music by Notorious B.I.G (Biggie) and Nirvana. In general, millennials grew up and were influenced by listening to artists of the same generation. Furthermore, this song addresses that the youth of today are diverse, shaped by various influences of their generation.
2. Strangers (ft. Lauren Jauregui)
We’re not lovers, we’re just strangers
With the same damn hunger
To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all
Halsey’s first collaboration with Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui, “Strangers” is a song about two women longing for each other. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, Halsey aims to empower same-sex relationships through different types of media, like her social media accounts and her songs (clue, “Strangers” is one of it!).
1. Colors
You were red and you liked me ’cause I was blue
But you touched me and suddenly I was a lilac sky
And you decided purple just wasn’t for you
Bet you’re already familiar with these lyrics ‘because they have been circulating the Internet ever since the song “Colors” was released! Aside from the interesting way Halsey used colors to define her lyrics, the meaning behind it is also the reason why a lot of people quote it: when you and your significant other touch, metaphorically, and they leave you because you’ve become the other person then.
Already hyped for Halsey’s music? Don’t forget to check out her other songs ASAP. They’re definitely worth listening to!
Catch Halsey perform live in Manila for the first time on her HALSEY Hopeless Kingdom World Tour with Special Guest NIKI happening on August 10, 2018 at the KIA Theatre, Cubao. For more information about the event and on how to get your tickets, visit TicketNet‘s website.
