This piece was originally featured in AM02 — Issue Two of Ascribe. Click here to read it alongside the rest of the issue.
Since the release of “Die for Me” by Post Malone featuring Halsey and Future back in 2019, fans have begged for a full version of Halsey’s rap, keeping all of us in a chokehold with those 40-seconds on repeat and wishing for more.
Halsey’s solo version is a hauntingly beautiful rendition of the original track that first appeared on Post Malone and Future’s 2019 album “Hollywood’s Bleeding.”
Throughout the song, Halsey delves into the complexities of this relationship. She acknowledges that she and her partner were “on the low but you were gettin’ high with me,” highlighting the ways in which addiction and self destructive behavior can strain even the strongest of bonds, and how these acts of deception can cause one to react volatile.
One aspect of the song that stands out despite how small it is are the minor line changes made to her original verse in the 2019 release which reflects the growth she’s made since the first release. When the verse was first released, the lyrics read “Grew into a savage and that’s why they gave this verse to me / Turns out at shows ‘cause they turn out at shows / I sold 15 million copies of a break-up note,” while the new version now says “Grew into a savage, you can hear it in this verse, honey / Turns out it shows ‘cause they turn out at shows / I sold forty million copies of our breakup note.”
The chorus of “Die 4 Me” is both haunting and hypnotic — a powerful reminder of the pain and betrayal Halsey has experienced, as well as the ways in which we can sometimes fool ourselves into believing that someone truly has our best interests at heart.
During the bridge, Halsey is expressing a sense of closure of this chapter in her life. She acknowledges that she gave her ex-partner the attention and recognition they wanted, even though they didn’t deserve it. There is a declaration of strength and self-awareness as she acknowledges her ex may have tried to manipulate or gaslight her, but she won’t continue to allow it.
“Die 4 Me” is a stunning showcase of Halsey’s talent as a vocalist and songwriter. It is a coy nod to the fact that Halsey is not only on a path to healing from past heartbreak, but also unapologetically taking charge of their narrative and using her experiences to fuel her artistry.
