“Strangers” track appeared in Halsey’s 2017 album ‘hopeless fountain kingdom,’ which gained much critical appraisal. The 13th track on the album was premiered with a music video a few hours ago.
The song could have been drawn from a personal experience that Halsey has gone through. In the video we see the two fighters wearing robes-Halsey has the name tag ‘Luna’ and Lauren has the tag ‘Rosa.’ However, Halsey tweeted about this song back when it was released.
and yes she has a name 😉 but it gives away a plot point so it's a secret for now. 🌹
— h (@halsey) May 26, 2017
Even though Halsey did not reveal a name here, she left a hint that we probably ignore back then. The rose emoji and the name ‘Rosa’ on “Strangers” music video cannot be mere coincidence.
Much like “Girls” by Rita Ora and Cardi B, “Strangers” is about gay love. Halsey specifically uses “she” to address the other party in the song and she uses several erotic references too. In an interview, Halsey admitted the song is about LGBTQ love.
Watch “Strangers” Music Video
Download “Strangers” Single on iTunes and Amazon
The music video for “Strangers” shows how two pro-fighters go head-to-head inside a boxing ring. Halsey is donned in red and looks devilish. Lauren Jauregui wears white and looks angelic. And it looks as if a third-party, human, is betting on this fight and enjoying the whole spectacle. In a same-sex love perspective, this could be meaning that the fight for equality is waging on and its a show for the others, whereas the ones who are in the fight actually end up getting hurt and bloody. In the end, the devil is victorious. Could this mean that Halsey actually did let go of her lover after being in a brutal relationship?
The last part of the music video puts a twist on the whole thing. The devil (Halsey) is sitting alone at the ringside and a male supporter of the angel (Lauren) comes and sits next to her. Then they exchange their necklaces and stare deeply into each other’s eyes. Could this mean that, even though on different sides, they have no hard feelings for each other? Or does it show that love can happen across the most unusual of personalities?
Lyrics Review and Song Meaning of “Strangers”
Verse 1
The first verse by Halsey says that they are in a decaying relationship. The love is fading away, and their affection for each other is dim. She cannot even look Halsey in her eyes, because she is too scared to see that Halsey is with someone else.
Pre-chorus
When Halsey reels back to those moments of intimacy, she consoles her self by thinking of the harsh words spoken by Rosa to her. These harsh words might be very accurately portrayed in the “Strangers” music video, where Lauren really punches Halsey down several times.
Chorus
The chorus delivers the tough punchline of the song. These two lovers, who used to be very fondly attached, are pretty much strangers now. They want to be touched and loved, but at this point, this relationship does not make them feel anything. This relationship has run its course.
Verse 2
The second verse sung by Lauren Jauregui speaks of the other POV of this relationship. This is basically Rosa speaking.
She says that Halsey never had time for her, and she was too busy to even answer a phone call. In the same album, two songs by Halsey speak of this same fact;
I’ve missed your calls for months it seems
Don’t realize how mean I can be – “Sorry“
Said he tried to phone me, but I never have time
He said that I never listen, but I don’t even try – “Alone“
The latter part of the second verse says that Halsey dominated the relationship. It may have been a one-way relationship and Rosa got quite fed up with this. She is trying to comprehend where it went wrong.
Bridge
These lyrics are sung by both Halsey and Lauren and shows that how similarly they felt about each other. They miss everything about themselves, but the relationship has run its course. There is no turning back now.
Halsey and Lauren Jauregui do an amazing job on the vocals of “Strangers” and their acting is spot on in the music video. Although the fake blood looks a bit sketchy, even the fight sequences are well choreographed.
We love this song and the music video and how closely it relates to Halsey’s life. It is as if we are looking into the mirrors of her eyes.
Let us know what you think about “Strangers” song, lyrics and the music video. If you have different interpretations of the lyrics of the video, do comment below, and share this article with your friends as well.
Full Lyrics to “Strangers” by Halsey
