Halsey has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary pop music, captivating audiences worldwide with her raw vulnerability and genre-defying artistry. From her breakthrough debut to her latest releases in 2025, Ashley Frangipane has consistently delivered songs that resonate with millions of listeners. This comprehensive guide explores the 20 greatest Halsey songs that showcase her evolution as an artist and her impact on modern music culture.
Without Me
“Without Me” stands as Halsey’s biggest commercial success and perhaps her most emotionally devastating track. The song chronicles the aftermath of a toxic relationship with haunting honesty, featuring stripped-down production that lets her vocals shine through every crack and whisper. Released in 2018, it became a global phenomenon, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning multi-platinum certifications worldwide, cementing Halsey’s status as a pop powerhouse.
Bad At Love
This introspective anthem explores Halsey’s pattern of self-sabotage in relationships with unflinching vulnerability. The track combines indie-pop sensibilities with mainstream appeal, showcasing her ability to craft deeply personal narratives that feel universally relatable. “Bad At Love” marked a significant moment in her career, demonstrating her growth as a songwriter while maintaining the raw emotional core that defines her best songs.
Now Or Never
“Now Or Never” captures the urgency of young love with its pulsating rhythm and emotionally charged lyrics. The song blends electronic elements with organic instrumentation, creating a sonic landscape that perfectly mirrors the intensity of the emotions being conveyed. This track showcased Halsey’s ability to create anthemic pop music without sacrificing the intimate storytelling that made her famous.
Ghost
One of Halsey’s earliest hits, “Ghost” introduced the world to her distinctive vocal style and penchant for haunting melodies. The song explores themes of loss and longing with a maturity that belied her age at the time of its release. Its ethereal production and memorable chorus helped establish Halsey as an artist to watch, laying the groundwork for her future success in the alternative pop landscape.
Colors
“Colors” represents Halsey at her most poetic, using vivid imagery to describe the transformative power of love. The track features one of her most beautiful vocal performances, floating over lush instrumentation that builds to an emotionally satisfying climax. This song demonstrated her ability to create visual narratives through music, establishing her as a masterful storyteller within the pop bands and solo artist realm.
Closer (with The Chainsmokers)
This massive collaboration with The Chainsmokers became one of the defining songs of the 2010s, showcasing Halsey’s versatility as a featured artist. Her distinctive vocals provided the perfect counterpoint to The Chainsmokers’ electronic production, creating a track that dominated radio and streaming platforms for months. The song’s success opened doors for Halsey in the mainstream music world while introducing her unique style to millions of new fans.
Graveyard
“Graveyard” finds Halsey exploring the dangerous allure of toxic relationships with her signature blend of vulnerability and strength. The track’s stripped-down arrangement puts her voice front and center, allowing every emotion to cut through with stunning clarity. This song marked a return to her more introspective songwriting style, proving her ability to create deeply affecting music without relying on elaborate production.
Eastside (with Benny Blanco and Khalid)
This collaborative effort showcases Halsey’s ability to shine alongside other talented artists while maintaining her unique identity. The song’s nostalgic feel and catchy melody made it an instant hit, while Halsey’s contribution added emotional depth to the track’s romantic narrative. “Eastside” demonstrated her continued relevance in the pop landscape and her skill at choosing collaborations that enhance rather than overshadow her artistry.
Hurricane
“Hurricane” captures the chaotic energy of its titular weather phenomenon through explosive production and impassioned vocals. The song explores themes of destruction and rebirth, using natural imagery to convey deep emotional truths about personal transformation. This track highlighted Halsey’s ability to match her lyrical intensity with equally powerful musical arrangements, creating an immersive listening experience.
Be Kind (with Marshmello)
This uplifting collaboration with Marshmello showed a different side of Halsey’s artistry, focusing on positivity and human connection. The song’s message of kindness and understanding resonated particularly strongly during challenging times, proving Halsey’s ability to create music that both entertains and inspires. Her vocals soar over Marshmello’s euphoric production, creating a perfect synthesis of electronic and pop elements.
Castle
Serving as the theme song for “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” “Castle” showcases Halsey’s cinematic songwriting abilities. The track builds from intimate verses to a powerful, anthemic chorus that perfectly captures the epic scope of its source material. This song demonstrated her versatility as an artist capable of creating music for various contexts while maintaining her distinctive voice and perspective.
The End
One of Halsey’s most recent and deeply personal releases, “The End” confronts her lupus diagnosis with unflinching honesty. The guitar-led track marks a return to more stripped-down production, allowing her vulnerability to take center stage. This brave and beautiful song showcases her continued evolution as an artist willing to share her most difficult moments with her audience, creating connection through shared human experience.
I Am Not a Woman, I’m a God
This powerful anthem from her album “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” represents Halsey at her most defiant and self-assured. The track combines heavy rock influences with her pop sensibilities, creating a sound that’s both familiar and revolutionary. The song’s bold statement of identity and power resonated with fans and critics alike, establishing new creative directions for her artistic expression.
You Should Be Sad
Drawing inspiration from country music traditions, “You Should Be Sad” shows Halsey’s ability to adapt her style to different genres while maintaining her core identity. The song’s narrative structure and emotional delivery create a compelling story of heartbreak and empowerment. This track proved her versatility as a songwriter and performer, expanding her artistic palette in unexpected and satisfying ways.
3am
“3am” captures the loneliness and desperation of late-night introspection with haunting beauty. The song’s sparse arrangement and intimate vocals create an atmosphere of vulnerability that draws listeners into Halsey’s world. This track demonstrates her ability to find beauty in darkness and transform personal pain into universal art that resonates with anyone who has experienced similar feelings of isolation.
Safeword
Halsey’s newest single “Safeword,” released in 2025, marks a bold departure into punk rock territory. The track represents her continued willingness to experiment with different sounds and push creative boundaries. Following the success of “The Great Impersonator” album, this song shows her fearless approach to artistic evolution and her refusal to be confined by genre expectations.
Nightmare
“Nightmare” stands as one of Halsey’s most politically charged and sonically aggressive tracks. The song addresses themes of feminism and social justice with unflinching directness, backed by heavy production that matches the intensity of her message. This track proved her ability to use her platform for meaningful commentary while creating music that’s both impactful and entertaining.
Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
The title track from one of her most ambitious albums, this song showcases Halsey’s storytelling abilities at their peak. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the track creates a modern narrative that feels both timeless and contemporary. The song’s lush production and cinematic scope demonstrate her growth as an artist willing to tackle complex themes and emotional landscapes.
Lucky
“Lucky” explores the contradictions of fame and success with typical Halsey honesty and insight. The song examines how external success can coexist with internal struggle, creating a nuanced portrait of modern celebrity. This track showcases her ability to find fresh angles on familiar themes, using her personal experience to illuminate broader truths about ambition and fulfillment in contemporary society.
Honey
Closing out this list is “Honey,” a track that perfectly encapsulates Halsey’s ability to blend sweetness with complexity. The song’s layered production and emotionally rich vocals create a listening experience that rewards both casual listeners and deep analysis. This track represents the culmination of her artistic journey so far, combining all the elements that make her such a compelling and important voice in modern music, as explored in various music guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Halsey’s songwriting so compelling?
Halsey’s songwriting stands out for its unflinching honesty and emotional vulnerability. She has a rare ability to transform personal experiences into universal themes that resonate with diverse audiences. Her willingness to explore difficult topics like mental health, relationships, and identity creates authentic connections with listeners who see their own struggles reflected in her music.
How has Halsey’s sound evolved over the years?
From her early alternative pop roots to her recent explorations of rock, country, and electronic music, Halsey has consistently pushed creative boundaries. Her sound evolution reflects her personal growth and artistic maturity, while her distinctive voice and perspective remain constant threads throughout her discography. This willingness to experiment has kept her music fresh and relevant across multiple album cycles.
What role do collaborations play in Halsey’s career?
Collaborations have been crucial in expanding Halsey’s reach and demonstrating her versatility as an artist. From massive hits like “Closer” with The Chainsmokers to more recent work with artists like Marshmello, these partnerships showcase her ability to adapt to different styles while maintaining her unique identity. These collaborations often introduce her to new audiences while challenging her creatively.
How does Halsey address social issues in her music?
Halsey uses her platform to address important social issues including mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and feminism. Songs like “Nightmare” directly tackle political themes, while tracks like “The End” bring visibility to health struggles. Her approach combines personal storytelling with broader social commentary, making complex issues accessible through the power of music and helping listeners understand different perspectives through her musical instruments and vocal artistry.