by Halsey has established herself as one of the most versatile artists in pop music today. While she first gained fame with catchy, bubblegum pop hits like “New Americana” and “Closer,” her music has steadily grown more introspective and emotionally complex. Nowhere is this evolution more apparent than through her love songs, which serve as a diary chronicling her personal and artistic maturation over the years.
Early albums like Badlands (2015) and Room 93 (2017) featured songs steeped in intensity, obsession, and vulnerability. Tracks like “Ghost” portrayed a passionate but volatile love, with dramatic metaphors of haunting and possession. “Hurricane” took this theme further with its depiction of an all-consuming desire that sweeps everything away. These songs showcased Halsey embracing her inner “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” persona through chaotic romances. However, they also hinted at deeper anxieties bubbling beneath the surface.
Songs like “Roman Holiday” and “Clementine” delved into Halsey’s insecurities within relationships. She sang of power imbalances, feeling like “just a doll” in someone’s collection in “Roman Holiday.” Meanwhile, “Clementine” portrayed the self-doubt that comes from questioning whether a lover truly sees you for who you are. These tracks introduced cracks in Halsey’s confident facade, giving a glimpse at the vulnerabilities that fueled her obsessive passions.
As Halsey’s artistry progressed, so too did her perspectives on love and self-worth. Her third studio album Manic (2020) marked a turning point, where she began to process her experiences and channel them into growth. Songs took on a more introspective bent focused on themes of independence, communication, and maturity.
“Graveyard” served as a declaration of self-love and acceptance after the demise of an intense relationship. Halsey sang “I don’t love you, I’m just lonely” over haunting instrumentals, conveying a newfound resolve to move on from codependency. Meanwhile, “You should be sad” addressed the aftermath of an unhealthy dynamic by asserting boundaries. With the lyrics “I don’t hate you, I just want to save face” and “I don’t hate you, I just hate your face”, Halsey communicated the importance of self-respect over holding onto resentment.
This theme continued on If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power (2022), her most ambitious artistic statement to date. Songs depicted relationships with an emphasis on mutual understanding rather than obsession. “Easier Said” focused on open communication, with lyrics like “We should talk about it, easier said.” “Lilith” portrayed a partnership between equals, referencing the ancient figure as a symbol of feminine power and independence. Even ballads like “Darling” showed a mature perspective, celebrating the small intimate moments within a caring dynamic.
The shift from Halsey’s early albums is perhaps best encapsulated by comparing “Castle” from Badlands to “I am not a woman, I’m a god” from her latest record. “Castle” portrayed a desire to escape into passion and fantasy with a lover, putting one’s needs above reality. In contrast, “I am not a woman” celebrates self-worth, power, and fulfillment from within rather than through codependence. It’s a triumphant anthem embracing complexity and marking Halsey’s evolution from obsession to self-discovery.
Across her discography, Halsey’s love songs have grown increasingly multidimensional. Where passion once stemmed from insecurity, it’s now balanced with communication, respect for oneself and others, and an understanding that relationships require personal growth on both sides. Love has become less about needing a partner to validate her and more about finding wholeness within. Her music still bears vulnerability with unflinching honesty, but now it’s infused with a newfound emotional intelligence and resilience.
Halsey’s journey of self-discovery through her art gives listeners an intimate look into the maturation process. Her love songs showcase that relationships, and our perspectives on intimacy, are complex with many layers and contradictions. As we change, so too do our needs and definitions of love evolve. Five years ago, Halsey may have found solace in chaos and obsession. Now, she celebrates understanding, communication and empowerment – both in herself and with those close to her. Her music has grown from bubblegum pop to profound emotional depth, making her one of today’s most compelling chroniclers of human experience.
