Halsey is back, and she’s brought the fire of rock with her. The 29-year-old genre-defying artist has just released her latest track, “Lonely Is the Muse,” a powerful return to the rock sound she explored with icons like Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Bring Me The Horizon. Released on August 15, this song is the third single from her highly anticipated fifth studio album, and it’s already making waves.
“Lonely Is the Muse” is a deeply introspective and raw track that showcases Halsey’s talent for weaving emotional depth into powerful lyrics and haunting melodies. Co-written with the renowned Stuart Price, the song is a reflection on the often isolating experience of being an artist—someone who creates, inspires, and yet, at times, feels used and discarded.
The track begins with a somber tone as Halsey confesses, “I spent years becoming cool / And in one single second you can make a decade of my efforts disappear.” This vulnerability sets the stage for the rest of the song, which delves into themes of martyrdom, self-reassembly, and the lonely journey of being a muse.
Halsey first gave fans a taste of “Lonely Is the Muse” during her headlining performances at Budapest’s Sziget Festival and Helsinki’s Flow Festival. She then premiered the full song on August 14 at a secret underplay at Koko in London, a venue she hadn’t graced since her 2015 “Badlands” tour. The intimate setting of Koko was the perfect backdrop for the raw emotion and intensity of this new track.
The lyrics of “Lonely Is the Muse” resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they’ve been put on a pedestal only to be knocked down. Halsey sings, “I always knew I was a martyr and that Jesus was one too / But I was built from special pieces that I learned how to unscrew,” capturing the duality of strength and fragility that comes with being an artist. The chorus is both a declaration and a lament, underscoring the loneliness that often accompanies creative genius.
Lonely Is the Muse Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I spent years becoming cool
And in one single second you can make a decade of my efforts disappear
I’m just waiting at the bar and you rip open all my scars
By saying something like, “Didn’t know you were here”
[Chorus]
I always knew I was a martyr and that Jesus was one too
But I was built from special pieces that I learned how to unscrew
And I can always reassemble to fit perfectly for you
Or anybody that decides that I’m of use
[Post-Chorus]
Lonely is the muse
Ah-ah
Lonely is the muse
[Verse 2]
So, where do I go in the process when I’m just an apparatus?
I’ve inspired platinum records, I’ve earned platinum airline status
And I’ve mined a couple diamonds from the stories in my head
But I’m reduced to just a body here in someone else’s bed
[Chorus]
I always knew I was a martyr and that Jesus was one too
But I was built from special pieces that I learned how to unscrew
And I can always reassemble to fit perfectly for you
Or anybody that decides that I’m of use
[Post-Chorus]
Lonely is the muse
Ah-ah
Lonely is the muse
Ah-ah
[Verse 3]
And I will always be a martyr, I will fill your life with songs
I’ll be a wind chime in the window, catching life you throw around
And I will tear apart your bedroom, I’ll call you in the night
I will exist in every second just to decorate your life
[Bridge]
And when you’re done you can discard me like the others always do
And I will nurse my wounds until another artist stains me new
[Chorus]
And I will always reassemble to fit perfectly in you
For anybody that decides that I’m of use
[Post-Chorus]
Lonely is the muse
Ah-ah
Lonely is the muse
Ah-ah
Lonely is the muse
[Outro]
Lonely and forgotten aside
“Lonely Is the Muse” is not just another song; it’s a powerful statement from an artist who continues to push boundaries and challenge expectations. With this track, Halsey reminds us that behind every masterpiece is a creator who often feels the weight of their work and the isolation that can come with it.
As we await the full release of her fifth studio album, “Lonely Is the Muse” sets the tone for what promises to be one of Halsey’s most compelling projects yet. This song is sure to resonate deeply with fans and newcomers alike, cementing Halsey’s place as one of the most daring and innovative voices in modern music.