Lie

## *Hopeless Fountain Kingdom* Chronology

"**Lie**" is a song performed by Halsey featuring rapper Quavo. It is featured as the eighth track on the standard and as the ninth track on the deluxe edition of Halsey's sophomore studio album *Hopeless Fountain Kingdom*. It was released on June 2, 2017 through Astralwerks Records.

## Background

The song was first teased on March 10, 2017 through Twitter accounts made for Luna Aureum and Solis Angelus. During a Twitter Q&A on June 3, 2017 Halsey was asked what song hurt the most to write to which she responded that "Lie" was "a really hard song to write." She also confirmed that the song is about Lido:

"'*Lie' was a really hard song to write. I was in the studio with Lido and we were working on that song. We were at Capitol Records sitting at this grand piano in this big room and it was like really silent. And we had just started hanging out again after going through the break-up and trying to make music together again. It was really, really hard to be in that room and to hear […] and to say 'If you don't love me no more then lie'.*"
—Halsey

In a different Twitter Q&A Halsey stated that the connection between "100 Letters" and "Lie" (listed below) is part of her favorite lyrics off of *Hopeless Fountain Kingdom*. Additionally, on June 18, 2017 Halsey named "Lie" one of her top 10 favorite songs lyrically.

In a *Beats 1* interview Zane Lowe and Halsey talked about how a person can say things in a song that they could never say to someone's face:

"*There's [songs] I was in the studio with him [Lido] cutting vocals and it was great because it was the only time he couldn't interrupt me. Those moments where I'm looking at him through the glass and he's at the mixing board and I'm in the booth singing 'I get the message you wish I was dead.' Moments where I'm saying things I could never say in person.*"
—Halsey

### Controversy

The song sparked controversy when fans called Halsey - who is bisexual herself - out for collaborating with Quavo when he's made homophobic comments in the past which came to light after the release of *Hopeless Fountain Kingdom* and the song. Halsey seemed to defend Quavo at first by explaining that she thinks he's misunderstood but later tweeted out the following:

"*Honestly? I didn't know that Quavo had made homophobic comments when I collaborated [with] him. We've never spoken a word to each other and I have no intention of pursuing a friendship there, unless he wants to make a legitimate apology. I only meant to say that people can struggle being socially conscious if they don't have the information/vocabulary. So we must educate them. I work tirelessly to represent & support marginalized communities I love & am a part of. I'm sorry if my actions have ever seemed otherwise. [...] I AM queer & I TRY to be understanding & want people to be educated. But I'm truly sorry for my misjudgment [...] and I am happy to have listeners who hold me accountable.*"
—Halsey on Twitter

## Cross-references

* As mentioned above, the song's lyric "I watch you devour, mistake me for bread" is a reference to the "100 Letters" lyric: "I'm not something to butter up and taste when you get bored".
* The lyric "Oh, you're turnin' red" is a reference to to the lyric "You were red, and you liked me because I was blue" from "Colors". However, it also references the "Heaven In Hiding" lyric "A crimson headache, aching blush".
* "All I'm sayin' is if you don't love me no more, then lie" is similar to "My lover, my liar" from "Eyes Closed".
* The song also references "Hurricane" in its second verse: "Your mouth make a hurricane". The lyric is also a reference to "Hurricane" lyric "Held him captive in my kiss".

## Lyrics

[Intro: Quavo]

Oh

[Verse 1: Halsey]

Breakfast is cold, as cold as our bed

I'm watching you choke down the words that you said

I watch you devour, mistake me for bread

Well boy, is you fed? Or are you misled?

I gave you the messiest head

You give me the messiest head

Oh, you're turnin' red

'Cause I'm tryna give the impression that I get the message you wish I was dead

[Pre-Chorus: Halsey]

See you 'bouta break a sweat (I, I, I)

I won't let us finish yet (I, I, I)

Please don't take this as a threat (I, I, I)

All I'm sayin' is if you don't love me no more, then

[Chorus: Halsey]

Lie, lie

Lie, lie

[Verse 2: Quavo]

(Quavo)

I heard what you said (What she say?)

You talk about your head game (Oh)

I know that it's fire flame (Fire)

Your mouth make a hurricane (Splash)

You notice that we in love (Love)

That's something we cannot change (No)

It's the plans we should arrange (Plans)

Treat her right and she won't complain (Yeah)

Bring back the title (Bring it back)

She tall like the Eiffel (Yeah)

Got no one to lie to (No)

There's no need to lie no more (Ayy)

Bring me a trial (Bring)

Every move's vital (Ooh)

What you gon' die for

When everything you told lies? Alright

[Chorus: Halsey]

Lie, lie

Lie, lie

Lie, lie

Lie, lie

## References

1. ↑ *Twitter* - @lunaaureum - "breakfast is cold."
2. ↑ *Twitter* - @solisangelus - "cold as our bed..."
3. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - ".@thrillsbailey #hopelessfountainkingdom"
4. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - ".@karIaskiwi #hopelessfountainkingdom"
5. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "Is There Somewhere, Drive, Haunting, Sorry, Gasoline, Ghost, Roman Holiday, Hurricane, Lie, 100 Letters are my top 10!"
6. ↑ *Beats 1 via YouTube* - "Halsey: Baz Luhrmann, Religion and 'hopeless fountain kingdom' Interview | Apple Music"
7. ↑ *iHeartRadio* - "Halsey 'Truly Sorry' For Defending Migos Rapper Quavo"
8. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "Honestly? I didn't know that Quavo had made homophobic comments when I collaborated him. We've never spoken a word to each other and +"
9. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "+ I have no intention of pursuing a friendship there, unless he wants to make a legitimate apology."
10. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "I only meant to say that people can struggle being socially conscious if they don't have the information/vocabulary. So we must educate them"
11. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "I work tirelessly to represent & support marginalized communities I love & am a part of. I'm sorry if my actions have ever seemed otherwise."
12. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "I think thats an important point. I AM queer & I TRY to be understanding & want people to be educated. But im truly sorry for my misjudgment"
13. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "Again, I am truly sorry for my misjudgement and I am happy to have listeners who hold me accountable."
14. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - 100 Letters connection
15. ↑ *Twitter* - @halsey - "Hurricane: "held him captive in my kiss" ;)"

 Standard