by Halsey has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world in recent years, known for massive hits like “Without Me,” “Closer” featuring The Chainsmokers, and “Eastside” with Benny Blanco and Khalid. But before she was topping charts and selling out arenas, Halsey was crafting her unique sound in relative obscurity. Many fans may be unaware that her debut single wasn’t actually released on an album, but rather on her debut EP “Room 93” in 2014. This EP contains several gems that showcased Halsey’s talent long before she broke through to the mainstream. Let’s take a deep dive into some of Halsey’s forgotten early tracks that are sure to blow your mind.
“Ghost” – The Debut Single
The song that started it all was “Ghost,” the lead single from Halsey’s debut EP “Room 93.” Released on October 27, 2014, “Ghost” served as the introduction to Halsey’s signature blend of pop, rock, and R&B influences with deeply personal lyrics. Over a brooding, atmospheric instrumental, Halsey’s powerful vocals command your attention from the very first note.
In the song, Halsey portrays herself as a “ghost” who is always around her lover but can never truly be with them. The lyrics explore themes of loneliness, longing, and the pain of unrequited love in a hauntingly beautiful way. “I’m nothing but a ghost/A ghost in your shell/I don’t feel nothing at all,” she sings in the chilling chorus. The song’s music video, filmed in Tokyo, helped bring Halsey’s brooding artistic vision to life.
While “Ghost” didn’t achieve massive commercial success upon its initial release, it gained Halsey devoted fans and industry attention that propelled her career forward. The track showed off Halsey’s talent for fusing pop melodies with raw emotional expression. It remains one of her most impactful early songs.
“Hurricane” – A Passionate Breakup Anthem
Another standout from “Room 93” is “Hurricane,” a fiery breakup song that finds Halsey channeling the pain of a recent split through fiery lyrics and vocals. Over a pounding beat and snarling guitar riffs, Halsey unleashes her frustration with an ex who has left her reeling.
“You were my sun/You were my earth/But you didn’t know all the ways I loved you, boy,” she sings, the hurt and anger evident in her powerful delivery. The lyrics tell the story of a relationship falling apart yet still leaving her longing for what they had. “I miss the smell of the rain on the pavement/I miss the color of your eyes in the pale,” she recalls fondly yet bitterly.
Halsey’s raw passion elevates “Hurricane” into an anthemic breakup song you can’t help but get swept up in. While not as polished as her future pop hits, it showed she had a gift for crafting emotionally resonant rock-tinged songs early in her career. “Hurricane” remains a favorite deep cut for diehard fans.
“Hold Me Down” – Early Glimpse of Her Pop Sensibilities
While many of Halsey’s early songs leaned harder into rock and alternative styles, “Hold Me Down” offered an early glimpse of her innate pop sensibilities. Over an upbeat, synth-driven beat, Halsey’s vocals shine on this infectious track about new love and self-empowerment.
“You say that I’m messing with your head/All ’cause I was making eyes at your boyfriend instead,” she teases in the pre-chorus, confidently acknowledging her allure. The lyrics find Halsey basking in a new romance and owning her sexuality in a way that would foreshadow future smash pop hits. But what really makes “Hold Me Down” stand out is Halsey’s pristine vocals, which are mixed to perfection even on this early recording.
She belts the euphoric chorus with the precision of a seasoned pop star: “I don’t need to be loved by you/Your hands around my neck so tight, I don’t need to be loved.” It’s easy to see why this track was a sign of bigger pop success to come for Halsey down the road. While a slight departure from her usual style, “Hold Me Down” proved she had what it takes to cross over to the mainstream.
“Drive” – A Cinematic Rock Odyssey
One of the most cinematically epic tracks from Halsey’s early days is “Drive,” a nearly six-minute rock odyssey. Opening with atmospheric soundscapes, the track slowly builds into an explosive anthem driven by Halsey’s rawest vocals yet.
Over pounding drums and shredding guitar, Halsey channels her rebellious spirit as she sings of escaping her troubles on the open road. “I’m in the dirt, I’m on the run/I’m in the mud, I’m having fun,” she declares defiantly. The lyrics tell a vivid story of freedom and renewal through movement. Musically, “Drive” takes the listener on a journey through climactic rises and falls that demand your attention.
Halsey’s powerful vocals soar to new heights unconstrained by pop conventions. You can practically see the open highway unfolding before you as she hits the sustained high notes in the climax. It’s easy to understand why “Drive” became a fan-favorite deep cut that left audiences wanting more of Halsey’s rock edge. The track proved she was capable of crafting cinematic epics even before signing to a major label.
“Is There Somewhere” – A Glimpse of Her Songwriting Mastery
While many of Halsey’s early songs found her flexing her musical muscles through rock-leaning styles, “Is There Somewhere” stripped things back to highlight her raw songwriting talent. Over simple piano chords, Halsey pours her heart into lyrics exploring existential loneliness and the search for meaning.
“Is there somewhere you go when you sleep/Do you know how you’ll know when you’re dreaming?” she sings wistfully. Her vulnerable delivery brings nuanced emotion to lines examining life’s deepest questions. The minimalist arrangement lets Halsey’s stunning songwriting shine through for a more intimate listening experience.
It’s easy to understand why “Is There Somewhere” has become a fan-favorite deep cut and staple of her live shows. Even early in her career, Halsey proved she had a gift for crafting deeply introspective lyrics that resonate on existential levels. The track showed off her potential as not just a skilled vocalist and performer, but also a thoughtful songwriter capable of profundity. It remains one of her most impactful early works.
Halsey’s “Room 93” EP, released in 2014 before she signed to Astralwerks, contains several forgotten gems that demonstrated her immense talent in raw form. Songs like “Ghost,” “Hurricane,” “Drive,” and “Is There Somewhere” showed she had the goods to break big as a multi-faceted artist. While her later pop hits brought her mainstream success, diving into these early tracks reveals the foundations she was building even in relative obscurity. Halsey has come a long way, but it’s clear she was destined for greatness from the very beginning.
