Witness a woman of unparalleled transformation – friend, lover, foe, shifting between dreams and fears, a master of disguise and illusion. She is the queen of the uncanny, the mistress of metamorphosis. Beware of the great impersonator! Halsey’s album “The Great Impersonator,” released on October 25, mirrors her life from the 1970s to now, resonating with her personal struggles and experiences, including battling health issues and becoming a mother. It marked her debut collaboration with Columbia Records, coinciding with the anniversary of Room 93.
“The End”
“If you knew it was the end of the world,
Could you love me like a child?
Could you hold me in the dark?
If you knew it was the end of the world,
Would you like to stay a while?
Would you leave when it gets hard?”
“The End” is the promotional single from the album. It merges acoustic and folk music with lyrics about the singer’s struggles and the solace found in her lover. The song explores illness, self-discovery, love, and mortality, reflecting a journey through health struggles that test love, resilience, and hope. Halsey has been transparent about her numerous health conditions since the beginning of her career. The singer donated to Lupus Research Alliance and to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with the track’s release.
“Lucky”
“‘Cause I’m so lucky, I’m a star,
But I cry, cry, cry in my lonely heart, thinkin’.
If there’s nothin’ missin’ in my life,
Then why (why, why?)
Do these tears come at night?”
“Lucky” is her lead single in the album. The song honors Britney Spears’ “Lucky,” showcasing how celebrities may hide inner struggles while projecting happiness. Halsey’s lyrics reveal the stress of fame on mental health, touching on seeking approval in a social media driven world. The song reflects on modern celebrity culture, emphasizing self-acceptance amid societal pressures and digital connectivity.
“Lonely Is the Muse”
“I always knew I was a martyr,
And that Jesus was one too,
But I was built from special pieces,
That I learned how to unscrew,
And I can always reassemble,
To fit perfectly for you,
Or anybody that decides,
That I’m of use.
Lonely is the muse.”
“Lonely Is the Muse” is the second single. Halsey delves into self-sacrifice, identity struggles, and emotional turmoil as an artist in the spotlight, exploring how love and loneliness intertwine leading to inspiration and burden. Through rich metaphorical language, Halsey explores internal conflicts, questioning her self-worth amidst relationship and artistic challenges. The song really hits home about the emotional toll that comes with the different roles we take on in life.
“Ego”
“I think that I should try to kill my ego,
‘Cause if I don’t, my ego might kill me.
I’m all grown up but somehow lately.
I’m acting like a f-ing baby.
I’m really not as happy as I seem.”
Halsey explores self-identity, fame pressures, and the conflict between public image and private emotions, reflecting a journey of self-doubt, authenticity-seeking, and ego confrontation amid external and internal expectations. The intro highlights her daily sickness, while she reveals hiding her illness in the bridge. The music video for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” really shows Halsey struggling with her own inner conflicts.
“I Never Loved You”
“So now you can take the money, you can get on a plane,
To a beautiful island, build a house in my name.
You can donate all the money to somebody in pain,
And you can rest your head down and not feel any shame.
I never loved you.
I never loved you.
I never loved you in vain.”
“I Never Loved You” is a song by Halsey that she released as the fourth single. Halsey captures the raw emotions of love, loss, and relationship complexities, focusing on the pain of a failed relationship due to emotional abandonment and life-and-death situations. The protagonist struggles with unrequited love and the bittersweet truth of its futility, as Halsey paints a vivid portrait of heartbreak and acceptance.
“Panic Attack”
“Is it love or a panic attack?
Is a heavy heart too much to hold?
I don’t know, but it’s late, so I’m taking you home.
Is it love or a panic attack?
Would you mind if I asked you on the phone?
I don’t know, but it’s late, so I’m taking you home.”
“Panic Attack” is the last single from the album. Halsey explores intertwining love and anxiety, portraying how the passionate highs of love merge with the overwhelming lows of anxiety. She dives into the lyrics, touching on both the physical and emotional heaviness of her experiences, hinting at the battle between craving connection and dealing with fear.
***
I really dig how Halsey created this album in that in-between zone of life and death. It seems like she’s been holding onto it forever, just waiting for her fans to finally hear it. She had already been a patient for ten years. The vibes are similar to “Manic,” Halsey’s previous album, by showing the vulnerable side of her life.
