Castle was first used in promotion for the 2016 film, The Huntsman: Winter’s War in November 2015. The song was featured in the film’s first official trailer. On April 8, 2016, a more cinematic version was released to coincide with the film. Halsey was also featured in a music video, stylized as the the evil Queen Ravenna.
Castle
Halsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tired of all these cameras flashing, sick of being poised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Straight for the castle
Oh, all these minutes passing, sick of feeling used
If you wanna break these walls down, you're gonna get bruised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it
Crying about it
Crying about it
Crying about it
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Straight for the castle
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Straight for the castle
The lyrics to Halsey’s song “Castle” express a sense of exhaustion and frustration with the media and the expectations placed upon her as a public figure. She is tired of the constant noise, cameras, and pressure to be perfect. The line “Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it” suggests the vulnerability she feels in this situation. She also acknowledges that she is already “choking on [her] pride,” which implies that she has struggled to maintain her sense of self in the face of public scrutiny.
The chorus of the song, “I’m headed straight for the castle,” can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The castle could represent fame, success, or power. Halsey is pushing towards this goal because she wants to be seen as someone important and influential. She claims that “They wanna make me their queen,” indicating that she is aware of the potential benefits of this position, such as wealth and adoration from the public. However, there is an old man on the throne who warns her against being “mean.” This could represent the gatekeepers of the industry who want her to conform to their expectations and maintain her image as a “good” girl. The line “saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut” is particularly telling, as it suggests that she is being told to be silent about any frustrations or criticisms she might have.
Overall, the lyrics to “Castle” describe the challenges of being a young female artist in a world that expects perfection and compliance. Halsey’s frustration and determination are palpable throughout the song as she fights to maintain her sense of self in the face of external pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise
Tired of dealing with all the distractions and drama caused by other people.
Tired of all these cameras flashing, sick of being poised
Fed up with always being in the public eye and having to act a certain way.
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Feeling vulnerable and exposed, wishing for physical protection.
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it
Struggling with one's own ego and self-importance, and realizing it's a futile battle.
I'm headed straight for the castle
Determined to achieve one's goals and succeed despite the obstacles in the way.
They wanna make me their queen
Others see the potential and talent in the individual and want to lift them up to a position of power.
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's
Representing the establishment or people in authority who may try to hold the individual back or keep them quiet.
Saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
Discouraging the individual from being assertive or speaking their mind.
They've got the kingdom locked up
Others have a stronghold on the power and control in the situation, making it difficult for the individual to break through.
If you wanna break these walls down, you're gonna get bruised
Acknowledging that the journey to success and power will not be easy and will require facing obstacles and criticism.
There's no use crying about it
Realizing that complaining or wallowing in self-pity will not solve anything or bring success.
They wanna make me their queen
Others recognize the individual's potential and want to elevate them to a position of power and influence.
Saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut
Advising the individual to stay quiet and not speak out, potentially stifling their creativity and ideas.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ashley Frangipane, Peder Losnegard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ellenberckmans9341
Halsey: "They've got the kingdom locked up"
Me in quarantine: "Same here girl"
@ash.1429
Haha true
@user-ed6eu7xs3c
we're back
@Untitled_Novel
😂😂
@devonnaphylips8547
😪😂
@julieconner8042
Y e s
@TheFashionNMakeup
halsey doesn't need a crown to be a QUEEN
@fireflies15
Preach
@annaherrera7646
exactly!
@janiesalgado3702
i should be more useful.