Hopeless
Halsey Lyrics

Boy, you make it look so easy
The singer is envious of how effortlessly the person they're addressing seems to be able to navigate life.

Promise that I'm gonna call you back in five
The singer offers a quick excuse for why they haven't been in touch, but they can't guarantee it's the truth.

Sorry baby girl, but I can't tonight, oh
The singer is making an apology for something, using a term of endearment to do so, but it's unclear exactly what they're apologizing for.

Boy, you make it look so simple, mm
The artist continues to admire the addressee's apparent ease of existence.

Yeah, I've known that girl for like my whole life
The artist is alluding to someone they've known for a long time, but it's unclear why this person is suddenly on their mind.

Back in my hotel and I'm alone inside, oh
The singer seems to be physically distant from the addressee and lonely as a result.

'Cause you know the truth hurts
The singer is acknowledging that truth can be painful to accept.

But secrets kill
The artist notes that keeping secrets can have deadly consequences.

Can't help thinkin' that I love it still
The artist reflects on the persistence of their feelings, despite the drawbacks.

Still here, there must be something real
The artist concludes that their situation wouldn't continue if there weren't some underlying authenticity to it.

'Cause you know the good die young
The singer is alluding to the saying that people who are good or live good lives tend to die young.

But so did this
The artist is drawing a parallel between the addressee's death and the end of their relationship, suggesting that both were premature.

And so it must be better than I think it is
The singer is tentatively hopeful that maybe things weren't as bad as they initially seemed.

Gimme those eyes, it's easy to forgive
The singer suggests that they can be swayed by the addressee's gaze, implying that physical attraction overrides other considerations.

You and all your friends all hate me, oh
The singer notes that the addressee's social circle doesn't have much affection for them.

Thinkin' that you're better when I'm not around
The artist posits that the addressee is more confident and secure when the artist isn't present.

Hear me on the radio and turn it down, oh
The artist is hurt that the addressee would actively avoid listening to their voice on the radio.

I can't help the way you made me
The singer acknowledges that their circumstances and feelings aren't entirely within their control.

Hope that she believin' in the truth you found
The singer expresses a hope that someone else in the addressee's life would validate their own feelings or experiences.

Thinkin' that you want us 'cause I can't find out, oh
The artist wonders whether the addressee is preventing them from learning the truth about their relationship on purpose.

(Oh-oh-oh)
An interlude indicating a shift in tone and focus in the song.

(Oh-ooh)
An interlude indicating a shift in tone and focus in the song.

(Oh-oh-oh) I hope, hopeless
The singer expresses an ambivalent hope that there might be something positive to come from their seemingly desperate situation.

(Oh-ooh) Changes over time
The artist acknowledges that things may shift and evolve as they proceed.

(Oh-ooh) I hope hopeless
The singer reprises their sense of uncertain optimism.

(Oh-ooh) Changes over time
The singer reprises their sense that their situation may not remain static or immutable.

(Oh-ooh) I hope hopeless
The singer continues to express their uneasy hope.

(Oh-oh-oh-oh) Changes over time
The artist emphasizes the idea that their circumstances aren't set in stone.