5 most popular Halsey songs of all time

Halsey, real name Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, has a discography of hit tracks under their belt. The 30-year-old singer broke out in 2015 with the release of their debut studio album, Badlands, which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200.

The album became double-platinum certified by the RIAA. Halsey’s technique, which blends vocal fry and head voice, and their lyrics, which convey emotion and depth, have earned them a series of awards and recognitions.

The American singer’s award list includes three Billboard Music Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, and an American Music Award. Their viral hit, Without Me, topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Diamond by the RIAA.

The three-time Grammy nominee also boasts of hit tracks like Bad at Love and You Should Be Sad. This article explores some of their most popular songs.

Disclaimer: This article is ranked according to Spotify streams at the time of writing.

Without Me, Bad at Love, and other popular Halsey songs to listen to in 2024

1) Without Me (2,102,018,115 Spotify streams)

Without Me is the lead track from the American artist's third music album, Manic, and was released on October 4, 2018. The song was penned by Halsey, alongside Brittany Amaradio, Amy Allen, and Louis Bell. The electropop song samples Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me a River and credits him as a songwriter.

The hit song tells the story of a girl who had to deal with a toxic and manipulative guy. The lyrics depict how the girl's genuine affection towards the guy was taken advantage of.

The pre-chorus captures the essence of the song:

"I said I'd catch you if you fall (Fall)/ And if they laugh, then f**k 'em all (All)/ And then I got you off your knees/ Put you right back on your feet/ Just so you could take advantage of me"

Without Me became Halsey’s first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist.

2) Bad at Love (652,233,754 Spotify streams)

Bad at Love is a pop song that has its meaning rooted in self-discovery and growth. The lyrics reflect on the difficulties and series of complications that come with being in a relationship. The first verse encapsulates the meaning of the song:

"Got a boy back home in Michigan/ And he tastes like Jack when I'm ki**in' him/ So I told him that I never really liked his friends/ Now he's gone and he's callin' me a b***h again,"

It continues:

"There's a guy that lives in the Garden State/ And he told me that we'd make it 'til we graduate/ So I told him that the music would be worth the wait/ But he wants me in the kitchen with a dinner plate."

Bad at Love was written by Roget Chahayed, Halsey, Justin Tranter, and Eric Frederic, and was released on August 22, 2017, as a single from the singer's sophomore album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.

The pop song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Halsey’s first top-five single on the chart as a lead artist.

3) You Should Be Sad (568,490,608 Spotify streams)

You Should Be Sad is a cross-genre record that combines country's lyricism and distinct harmony, with Pop's rhythmic flow and phrasing. The country pop music was released in January 2020, as the third single from the vocalist's third album, Manic.

It was written by Halsey, and Grammy award-winner, Greg Kurtsin. You Should Be Sad is a heartbreak song that narrates a lady’s experience in an unhealthy relationship with a self-centered, abusive, and deceptive fellow. The chorus reads:

"Oh, I feel so sorry, I feel so sad/ I tried to help you, it just made you mad/ And I had no warning about who you are/ I'm just glad I made it out without breaking down."

The verse continues:

"And then ran so f***ing far/ That you would never ever touch me again/ Don't see your alligator tears/ 'Cause know I've had enough of them."

The ballad peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the Manic album’s second highest-charting single.

4) Now or Never (477,054,230 Spotify streams)

Now or Never is the lead single from the American singer's 2017 14-track studio album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. The songwriters credited on the Dark pop/R&B single include Halsey, Magnus Hoiberg, Brittany Hazzard, Nathan Perez, and Benjamin Levin.

Now or Never details the struggle between lovers in a relationship and how the lady expresses her sincere feelings towards her partner, telling him how eager she is to make the relationship work against all odds. The first verse says:

"I don't wanna fight right now/ Know you always right/ Now I know I need you 'round with me/ But nobody waitin' 'round with me/ Been through the ups,"

It continues:

"Yeah, the ups and the downs with me/ Got a whole lot of love/ But you don't wanna spread it 'round with me, yeah,"

Now or Never has been certified 2x Platinum in the US.

5) Gasoline (437,452,108 Spotify streams)

On August 28, 2015, Halsey released this Electropop song which is a part of the deluxe version of her first studio album, Badlands. It was penned by Norwegian singer-songwriter, Peder Losnegard, and Halsey.

Gasoline is reportedly inspired by the singer's real-life experiences. The song embraces the idea that no one is perfect and gives insights into major issues that pertain to physical and mental well-being.

Part of verse 1 reads:

"Are you insane like me?/ Been in pain like me?/ Bought a hundred dollar bottle of champagne like me?/ Just to pour that motherf***er down the drain like me?"

It continues:

"Would you use your water bill to dry the stain like me?/ Are you high enough without the Mary Jane like me?/ Do you tear yourself apart to entertain like me?"

Gasoline has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA in the US.

Other popular Halsey songs to listen to include Sorry, Colors, Graveyard and Nightmare.

Edited by Prem Deshpande