Barely a week before releasing her third studio album, Manic, Halsey gave her fans one final song titled ‘You Should Be Sad.’ In these country-inspired lyrics, Halsey expresses her discontent with a past romantic relationship while hinting at her ex’s actions in the process. The song reveals how she cannot progress.

Further, Halsey performs the music in sentence case. It is the fourth track from her third studio album, Manic. It also forms the third single released from the album. Capitol Records dropped the album.

Background


The song was first released on December 3, 2019, and was revealed on social media. Halsey announced the music released as the album’s fifth single on January 8, 2020. She further described it as “crazy” and “yee fuckin’ haw” to hint at the song’s country inspirations. In one of her Tweets, Halsey said, The most petty and heartbreaking songs all come from country. I wrote YSBS on my living room floor on my guitar. Lots of time in Nashville too.”

When asked about the choice to record a country song, she noted that “the most devastating and pretty songs originate from the country,” adding that she penned the song on the floor of her homeroom in Nashville, TN, a city noted for its intense country music scene.

Halsey also admitted that the song was about G-Eazy while discussing the music and the production of the music video.

Song Lyrics Meaning


Halsey begins the lyrics by hinting that everything she needs is to get a few issues off her mind. She is not the type to dwell with hatred or contempt. She does, however, desire to be truthful with the guy she previously loved.

The artist expects to witness a difference in her ex-lover after confronting him about what she dislikes about him. Yet, finding a compassionate ex can be difficult in real life.

In the pre-chorus section, the artist criticizes her ex-lover’s arrogant, aggressive, demeaning tendencies. Halsey does not want her prior partner to be blinded by fortune and wealth, which frequently causes them to forget who they are.

The singer is relieved to be free of that establishment. Their relationship would not have been ideal because her ex-lover was reportedly used to mistreating her.

Halsey, it seemed, did her utmost to assist him in obtaining what he desired in life. Her prior partner had always had her back. Yet, as she became aware of “toxic culture” and started to notice trends, she realized he was not the appropriate person for her, and they pursued a divorce.

Then her spirit fled so far away from him that she would never hear from him again. This time, she is really over him, believing she can reply, ‘You should be sad.’

Final Thoughts


Thus, this song is centered on Halsey expressing sadness for an ex-boyfriend’s progress, which was in a mocking, insulting manner. It highlights the problems in her destructive relationship with one of her ex-lovers.

The general song lyrics meaning is that, as a “broken man,” he possesses severe problems that he will almost certainly never be able to resolve alone. But when she sought to aid him, she was welcomed with a surprising rage and could not assist.

The popularity of the song can be gauged from the fact that it is featured in numerous TV shows, like: RuPaul’s Drag Race, Siesta Key, Love Island (US), as well as a live performance on Saturday Night Live.

Lyrics

I wanna start this out and say
I gotta get it off my chest
Got no anger, got no malice
Just a little bit of regret
Know nobody else will tell you
So there’s some things I gotta say
Gonna jot it down and then get it out
And then I’ll be on my way

No, you’re not half the man you think that you are
And you can’t fill the hole inside of you with money, drugs and cars
I’m so glad I never ever had a baby with you
‘Cause you can’t love nothin’ unless there’s somethin’ in it for you

Oh, I feel so sorry
I feel so sad
I tried to help you
It just made you mad
And I had no warnin’
About who you are
I’m just glad I made it out without breakin’ down
And then ran so fuckin’ far
That you would never ever touch me again
Won’t see your alligator tears
‘Cause, no, I’ve had enough of them

Let me start this off by sayin’
I really meant well from the start
Take a broken man right in my hands
And then put back all his parts

But you’re not half the man you think that you are
And you can’t fill the hole inside of you with money, girls and cars
I’m so glad I never ever had a baby with you
‘Cause you can’t love nothin’ unless there’s somethin’ in it for you

Oh, I feel so sorry (I feel so sorry)
I feel so sad (I feel so sad)
I tried to help you (I tried to help you)
It just made you mad
And I had no warnin’ (I had no warnin’)
About who you are (’bout who you)
Just glad I made it out without breakin’ down
Oh, I feel so sorry (I feel so sorry)
I feel so sad (I feel so sad)
I tried to help you (I tried to help you)
It just made you mad
And I had no warnin’ (I had no)
About who you are (’bout who you)
‘Bout who you are

Hey
Hey
Hey
Hey

‘Cause you’re not half the man you think that you are
And you can’t fill the hole inside of you with money, drugs and cars
I’m so glad I never ever had a baby with you
‘Cause you can’t love nothin’ unless there’s somethin’ in it for you

I feel so sad
You should be sad
You should be
You should be sad
You should be
You should be
You should be

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Ashley Frangipane / Greg Kurstin

You Should Be Sad lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

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