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Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power Album Lyrics



Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power Lyrics






The Tradition

Oh, the loneliest girl in town is bought for pennies a price
We dress her up in lovely gowns, she's easy on the eyes
Her soul is black and it's a fact that her sneer will eat you alive
And the buyer always brings her back, because all she does is cry

So take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
Ask for forgiveness
Never permission

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
It's in the blood and
This is tradition

Oh
Oh, the loneliest girl in town was bought for plenty a price
Well they dress her up in golden crowns, his smile hides a lie
She's smiles back, but it's a fact that her fear will eat her alive
Well she got the life that she wanted, but now all she does is cry

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
Ask for forgiveness
Never permission

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
It's in the blood and
This is tradition

You can't take it back
It's good as gone
Flesh amnesiac
This is your song

And I hope what's left will last all summer long
And they said that, "Boys were boys", but they were wrong

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
Ask for forgiveness
Never permission

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
It's in the blood and
This is tradition

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
Ask for forgiveness
Never permission

Take what you want
Take what you can
Take what you please
Don't give a damn
It's in the blood and
This is tradition
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Greg Kurstin
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Bells in Santa Fe

Don't call me by my name
All of this is temporary
Watch as I slip away
For your sake
All of this is temporary

Well, maybe I could hold you in the dark
You won't even notice me depart
Secondhand thread
In a second hand bed
With a second man's head
Leaving through the door without a word
You won't even notice, little bird
Better off dead so I reckon I'm headed to hell instead

So don't wait for me
Don't wait for me
Wait, ah

It's not a happy ending

Don't wait for me
Don't Wait for me
Wait, ah

It's not a happy ending

Jesus needed a three day weekend
To sort out all his bullshit, figure out the treason
I've been searching for a fortified defense
Four to five reasons
But, Jesus, you've got better lips than Judas
I could keep your bed warm, otherwise I'm useless
I don't really mean it, 'cause who the f*ck would choose this?

Well, maybe I could hold you in the dark
You won't even notice me depart
Secondhand thread in a second hand bed
With a second man's head
Leaving through the door without a word
You won't even notice little bird
Better off dead so I reckon I'm headed to hell instead

So don't wait for me
Don't wait for me
Wait, ah

It's not a happy ending

Don't wait for me
Don't wait for me
Wait, ah

It's not a happy ending

Don't wait for me
Don't wait for me
Wait, ah

It's not a happy ending

Don't wait for me
Don't wait for me
Wait, ah

All of this is temporary
All of this is temporary

All of this is temporary
All of this is temporary

(In the dark)
(You wouldn't even notice me depart)
(Second hand thread in a second mans bed)
(With a second man's head)

All of this is temporary
All of this is temporary
All of this is
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, John Cunningham
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Easier than Lying

I'm only whatever you make me
And you make me more and more a villain every day
But you don't know, you reap, you sow
Whatever you give to me
From yourself you take
Well, if you're a hater
Then hate the creator
It's in your image I'm made

One eye open and one eye closed
'Cause I'll hang myself if you give me rope
I've lost all my faith and lost all hope
That everything means anything at all
One eye broken and one eye bruised
'Cause I gave myself away for you
You liar! You don't love me too
It's easy for you, after all

My heart is massive but it's empty
A permanent part of me, that innocent artery
Is gasping for some real attention
Some undivided hypertension
I tell it "Quiet down, you're being loud"
But it beats harder every time you come around
But do you love the sound?

I sleep with one eye open and one eye closed
'Cause I'll hang myself if you give me rope
I lost all my faith and lost all hope
That everything means anything at all
One eye broken and one eye bruised
'Cause I gave myself away for you
You liar you don't love me too
It's easy for you after all

Losing you is easier than lying to myself that you love me
Losing you is easier than lying to myself that you love me
Losing you is easier than lying to myself that you love me
Losing you is easier than lying to myself

I sleep with one eye open and one eye closed
'Cause I'll hang myself if you give me rope
I lost all my faith and lost all hope
That everything means anything at all
One eye broken and one eye bruised
'Cause I gave myself away for you
You liar you don't love me too
It's easy for you after all
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Lilith

I'm perfection when it comes to first impressions
Well, I romanticize and then I get to stressing
A big brain like I'm teaching it a lesson
Baby, it's a blessing, yeah

You got me thinking that I was too mean
Well, everything that I say I believe
Tuck a knife with my heart up my sleeve and
Change like a season
Reason for nothing
I am disruptive
I've been corrupted
And by now I don't need a f*cking introduction
I've been gone
'Cause I been on this road too long

You know I get too caught up in a moment
I can't call it love if I show it
I just f*ck things up, if you noticed
Have you noticed?
Tell me have you noticed?

I get too caught up in a moment
I can't fall in love if I show it
I just f*ck things up, if you noticed
Have you noticed?
Tell me have you noticed?

Now I'm wondering if I ever wanted to hold you
It never mattered if I owned you
'Cause you'd let anybody with a body control you
And you know it too

You got me feeling like I been too mean
And everything that I say I believe
Tuck a knife with my heart up my sleeve
And f*ck like a demon
Do it like nothin'
I am disgustin'
I've been corrupted
And by now I don't need no help to be destructive
I've been gone
Yeah, I've been on this road too long

You know I get too caught up in a moment
I can't call it love if I show it
I just f*ck things up, if you noticed
Have you noticed?
Tell me have you noticed?

I get too caught up in a moment
I can't fall in love 'cause I'm focused
I just f*ck things up, if you noticed
Have you noticed?
Tell me have you noticed?

The more that you give away
The more that you have
More that you give away
More that you have
The more that you give away
The more that you have
The more that they take
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Girl is a Gun

I feel lighter in the waistline
With no hands around me
No spit in my teeth
No, I'm not your daydream
I won't have your baby
Stop 'cause you're killing my vibe

It's a shot in the dark
I'm not a walk in the park
I come loaded with the safety switched off
This girl is a gun
And we've been having some fun
And I could show you if you turn the lights on

I keep waiting for luck
To come swallow me up
I feel better when the boys stop calling
I keep falling in love
This measuring cup
Is overflowing with the same damn problems

This girl is a gun
Before you know it, it's done
And you'll be wishing that you crossed your fingers
Oh but God is it fun
When you can have more than one?
So lemme show you how to touch my trigger

My newest baby's testing me lately
Making me crazy from morning to evening
I cannot take it, I love it, I break it
Need it, leave it
If I believe it's a waste of my
Time is a blessing, with me it's a lesson
And I can't be stressing to give you attention
'Cause oh it's never enough
So I'm giving you up
And you'll be better with a nice girl, darling

I keep waiting for luck
To come swallow me up
I feel better when the boys stop calling
I keep falling in love
This measuring cup
Is overflowing with the same damn problems

(Yeah) This girl is a gun
Before you know it, it's done
And you'll be wishing that you crossed your fingers
Oh but God is it fun
When you can have more than one?
So lemme show you how to touch my trigger

I keep waiting for luck
To come swallow me up
I feel better when the boys stop calling
I keep falling in love
This measuring cup
Is overflowing with the same damn problems

This girl is a gun
Before you know it, it's done
And you'll be wishing that you crossed your fingers
Oh but God is it fun
When you can have more than one?
So lemme show you how to touch my trigger
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






You asked for this

I don't know what you want from me
When I'm sunburnt lips and summer feet
I'm tattered like these Levi's jeans
Punch-wasted on redundancy

Now what the f*ck does all this mean?
You know I'm still somebody's daughter, see
I spilled the milk you left for me
My tears are falling flawlessly now

Go on and be a big girl
You asked for this now
Go on and be a big girl
Well, everybody's gonna drown you out
Go on and be a big girl
You asked for this now
You better show 'em why you talk so loud

You wished upon a falling star
And then left behind the avant-garde
For lemonade in crystal glasses
Picket fences, file taxes
Who the hell is in your bed?
You better kiss goodnight and give some head
And then next the morning comes instead
Well is this the life that lies ahead now?

Go on and be a big girl
You asked for this now
Go on and be a big girl
Well, everybody's gonna drown you out
Go on and be a big girl
You asked for this now
You better show 'em why you talk so loud

Go on and be a big girl
You asked for this now
Go on and be a big girl
Well, everybody's gonna drown you out
Go on and be a big girl
You asked for this now
You better show 'em why you talk so loud

I want my cake on a silver platter
I want a fistful in my hands
I want a beautiful boy's despondent laughter
I want to ruin all my plans
I want a fist around my throat
I want to cry so hard I choke
But I want everything I asked for

Oh, oh, oh, oh
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Gregory Kurstin, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Darling

Really can't remember where I left my spine
Carrying my body in a bag for dimes
Hidden in the pages of the New York Times at home

And maybe I'll be better if I take my meds
Ain't a double header if you lose your head
Tried a medication that I bought instead
It's working for a little but there's not much left

Darling don't you weep
There's a place for me
Somewhere we can sleep
See you in your dreams

Ever since a little girl, I found it sweet
Driving past a graveyard on a lonesome street
All the little flowers gave me something to believe in

Never knew the feeling of a stable home
Been a couple years of living on the road
Couldn't really tell you where they'd leave a stone
To visit me when I am dead and gone

Darling don't you weep
There's a place for me
Somewhere we can sleep
See you in your dreams

Darling don't you cry
Head fast toward the light
Foolish men have tried
But only you have shown me how to love being alive

Until it's time to see the light
I'll make my own with you each night
I'll kidnap all the stars and I will keep them in your eyes
I'll wrap them up in velvet twine
And hang them from a fishing line
So I can see them any time I'd like

Darling don't you weep
There's a place for me
Somewhere we can sleep
I'll see you in your dreams

Darling don't you cry
Head fast toward the light
Foolish men have tried
But only you have shown me how to love being alive
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






1121

Well I won't die for love
But I've got a body here to bury
And if truth be told, it's scary
'Cause my shoulders are heavy already

And yeah, I know
The parts of myself that I've hated
And I can't tell which ones are mine
And which I created

But I won't die for love
But ever since I met you
You could have my heart
And I would break it for you

And I won't die for love
But ever since I met you
You could have my heart
And I would break it for you

Take one in the temple
My tongue is a vessel
I try to be careful with
The thing inside my chest
You shoot for the memory
So you can forget me
I'd leave if you let me, oh

But I won't die for love
But ever since I met you
You could have my heart
And I would break it for you

Please don't leave (I'm running out of time to tell you)
Don't leave me in the shape you left me (I'm running out of things that I regret)
Please don't leave (I'm running of time to tell you)
Don't leave me in the shape you left me (I'm running out of things that I regret)
Please don't leave
Don't leave me in the shape you left me (you took me)
Please don't leave
Just leave me in the place you found me
Safe and soundly

I won't die for love
But ever since I met you
You could have my heart
And I would break it for you

I won't die for love
But ever since I met you
You could have my heart
And I would break it for you
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Honey

She told me "Open your mouth"
She said "I've got a surprise"
And so I opened it wide
And then she crawled inside
She's on the tip of my tongue
She's on the top of my thighs
And if I searched a thousand miles I'd be dying to find

Between my fingers
She leaves then she lingers
If she's gonna go
Well then I'm going with her
I know that I won't forget

She was sweet like honey
But all I can taste is the blood in my mouth
And the bitterness in goodbye
Dripping like honey
Down the back of my throat and out the front of my mind
And now she's impatient and I'm complacent
With just a little taste of wasting time
Looking for honey
But she stings like she means it
She's mean and she's mine

Out and about
Without a reason or rhyme
And now she's dancing on a table
And she spins on a dime
She's hell in a basket, just making a racket
I love every second, it's f*cking fantastic
Good things aren't easy to get
I know that I won't regret

She was sweet like honey
And all I can taste is the blood in my mouth
And the bitterness in goodbye
Dripping like honey
Down the back of my throat and on the front of my mind
And well she's impatient and I'm complacent
With just a little taste of wasting time
Looking for honey
But she stings like she means it
She's mean and she's mine

Between my fingers
She leaves then she lingers
If she's gonna go
Well then I'm going with her
And I know that I won't forget

She was sweet like honey
But all I can taste is the blood in my mouth
And the bitterness in goodbye
Dripping like honey
Down the back of my throat and on the front of my mind
And well she's impatient and I'm complacent
With just a little taste of wasting time
Looking for honey
But she stings like she means it
She's mean and she's mine
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Whispers

"You do not"

"You do not"

It's the thing in your thighs when you're lonely at night
Scroll though your phone getting high off the light
Numb in your chest when you close the blinds
Repose in time
And you tell yourself you're fine
But you

Sabotage the things you love the most
Camouflage so you can feed the lie that you're composed

This is the voice in your head that says
"You do not want this"
This is the ache that says
"You do not want him"
This is the glimmer of light that you're keeping alive when you tell yourself
"Bet I could f*ck him"

Why do you need love so badly?
Bet it's because of her daddy
Bet she was brutal and bratty
Bet that she'll never be happy
I bet that you're right
And I'll show you in time
But I

Sabotage the things I love the most
Camouflage so I can feed the lie that I'm composed

I've got a monster inside me
That eats personality types
She is constantly changing her mind on the daily
Think that she hates me
I'm feeling it lately
Might have to trick her and treat her
To seventy capsules or fly to a castle
So at least we could say that we died being traveled
Cultured and flattered
And then I could trap her
But what does it matter

"You do not want this"
This is the voice in her head that says
"You do not want him"
This is that space in your bed that says
"Bet I could f*ck him"
Isn't it lonely?
These are the standards
To which you could hold me
Think that you know me
You think that you could if you hold me
Think you could try to console me
But I do not know me
No, I do not know me
'Cause I
'Cause I

Sabotage the things I love the most
Camouflage so I can feed the lie that I'm composed
"You do not want this"
Sabotage the things I love the most
"You do not want this"
Camouflage so I can feed the lie that I'm composed
"You do not want this"
"You do not want this"
"You do not"
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






I am not a woman Im a god

(I am not a woman, I'm a God)
(I am not a martyr, I'm a problem)
(I am not a legend, I'm a fraud)
(Keep your heart, 'cause I already)

Every day I've got a smile where my frown goes
A couple bodies in the garden where the grass grows
I take 'em with me to the grave in a suitcase
Maybe I could be a different human in a new place

Oh
I just wanna feel something, tell me where to go
'Cause everybody knows something I don't wanna know
So I'll stay right here 'cause I'm better all alone
Yeah, I'm better all alone

I am not a woman, I'm a God
I am not a martyr, I'm a problem
I am not a legend, I'm a fraud
So keep your heart, 'cause I already got one

I am not a woman, I'm a God
I am not a martyr, I'm a problem
I am not a legend, I'm a fraud
Keep your heart, 'cause I already

Every morning, got a hollow where my heart goes
I never listen, but I see you with my eyes closed
I know you, I remember from the grass stain
Maybe I could be a better human with a new name

Oh
I just wanna feel something, tell me where to go
'Cause everybody knows something I don't wanna know
So, I'll stay right here cause I'm better all alone
Yeah, I'm better all alone

I am not a woman, I'm a God
I am not a martyr, I'm a problem
I am not a legend, I'm a fraud
So keep your heart, 'cause I already got one

I am not a woman, I'm a God
I am not a martyr, I'm a problem
I am not a legend, I'm a fraud
Keep your heart, 'cause I already

I'm ready to leave it
I'll go when I feel it
Got caught both hands on the smoking gun
I try, but I need it
It's hard, but I feel it
And it really does hurt when you love someone

Oh
I just wanna feel something, tell me where to go
'Cause everybody knows something I don't wanna know
So I'll stay right here 'cause I'm better all alone
Yeah, I'm better all alone

I am not a woman, I'm a God
I am not a martyr, I'm a problem
I am not a legend, I'm a fraud
So keep your heart, 'cause I already got one

I am not a woman, I'm a God
I am not a martyr, I'm a problem
I am not a legend, I'm a fraud
Keep your heart, 'cause I already got one
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






The Lighthouse

From a tender age I was cursed with rage
Came swinging like a fist inside a batting cage
I went swimming with the devil at the bottom of a lake
And he left me there by my lonesome

He was tall and mean with venom eyes so green
Wanted reconciliation, but my tongue was in my teeth
I couldn't find the floor, so I was kickin' with my feet
But they weren't there, they were stolen

There is a lighthouse in the
Middle of the deep end
I'm still standing on the shoreline
And nobody hears me scream
And I'll lure you like a landslide
And I'll show you lovely things
If you rescue me but they'll make believe
The lighthouse by the sea

I met a sailor on a ship with promise in his eyes
He kissed me on the mouth and dug his fingers in my thighs
But a sailor ain't a savior 'cause they only tell you lies
So I left him there till the sunrise

Well, the waves were tall and they were crashing down
He's laying in the water begging God to let him drown
So I showed him all my teeth and then I laughed out loud
'Cause I never wanted saving, I just wanted to be found

There is a lighthouse in the
Middle of the deep end
I'm still stranded on the shoreline
And nobody hears me scream
And I'll lure you like a landslide
And I'll show you lovely things
If you rescue me but they'll make believe
The lighthouse by the sea

Well, that should teach a man to mess with me
He was never seen again
And I'm still wandering the beach
And I'm glad I met the devil
'Cause he showed me I was weak
And a little piece of him is in a little piece of me

There is a lighthouse in the
Middle of the deep end
I'm still stranded on the shoreline
And nobody hears me scream
And I'll lure you like a landslide
And I'll show you lovely things
If you rescue me but they'll make believe
The lighthouse by the sea

And the waves come crashing down
And the waves come crashing down
And the waves come crashing down (and the waves come crashing down)
And the waves come crashing down (and the waves come crashing down)
And the waves come crashing down (and the waves come crashing down)
And the waves come crashing down (and the waves come crashing down)
And the waves come crashing down (and the waves come crashing down)
And the waves come crashing down (and the waves come crashing down)
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Yaaburnee

I get
Undertones of sadness when I think about the moments
That I never got to spend with you
I can't decide
If I love you more in morning or I love you more in night
With its luminous lux tides, maybe in the daylight
All its pretty madness and the complicated status 'cause the moon don't pick sides
And the sun won't resign until you're by my side
Because the longing leads to leaving
And the loving leads to bleeding and your beauty is a blessing
And I never got to tell you how
I love the way my eyes make yours look green too

I think we could live forever
In each others faces 'cause I'll always see my youth in you
And if we don't live forever
Maybe one day we'll trade places
Darling, you will bury me before I bury you
Before I bury you

I'll never know
If there's danger in confession
Or it's memory that presses like a blade against my throat
Another word and I could choke
But what's worse?
Telling you my feelings or to die without revealing
That you crawled inside my head and set a fire there, instead
Letting all my insecurity
Devour me with certainty
That love is just a currency, so take my pockets
Take me whole
Take my life and take my soul, wrap me in a wedding ring
You know I swear I'd give you anything

And I think we could live forever
In each other's faces 'cause I'll always see my youth in you
And if we don't live forever
Maybe one day we'll trade places
Darling, you will bury me before I bury you
Before I bury you
[ Correct these Lyrics ]

Writer: Ashley Frangipane, Atticus Ross, Johnathan Cunningham, Trent Reznor
Copyright: Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.






Back to: Halsey


If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Halsey, released on August 27, 2021, by Capitol Records. Produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, the album marked a departure from Halsey' previous work, featuring a heavy industrial influence, and was described by Halsey as a concept album about "the joys and horrors of pregnancy and childbirth". It was her final album for Capitol, before she parted ways with the label in April 2023.

Leading up to the release of If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, a theatrical film directed by American filmmaker Colin Tilley, titled after the album and featuring its music, screened in select IMAX cinemas around the world on August 25 and 26, 2021. The album went on to debut within the top 10 of thirteen sales charts worldwide, including the US Billboard 200, where it became Halsey's fourth consecutive record to debut inside the top two of the chart. Two singles were released to promote the album: "I Am Not a Woman, I'm a God", which reached number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "You Asked for This". In February 2023, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its ambitious concept and theatrical production. The album was featured in the top 10's of several best-of album lists for 2021, and was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. The album was supported by the Love and Power Tour.
Performed By: Halsey
Genre(s): Alternative rock, grunge-pop, pop-punk, rock
Producer(s): Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Length: 42:52
Released: August 27th, 2021
Year: 2021

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