Halsey feels that without her inner demons, she would have no voice and individuality. These demons drive her to speak her mind and be different from societal norms. Even when resisting them, she feels powerless against her own inhibitions. The demons make her angry in order to stir up chaos from her anger. Halsey feels torn between conformity and individuality, escaping judgments by sneaking away but finding purpose in being unique. She struggles with self-doubt and clings to her sense of self while critics say her time is running out and she should keep quiet.

1. Halsey- Hold me down
My demons are begging me to open up my mouth
I need them mechanically make the words come out
They fight me, vigorous and angry, watch them pounce
Ignite me, licking up the flames they bring about
Analysis: Without these things living inside of her, Halsey feels like she would have no voice
– she’d essentially be mute, with no way to be heavily opinionated in order to point out
things around her.
These demons provide a power that pushes her to speak her mind at all times, dragging her
thoughts right out of her. On “Gasoline”, Halsey talks about being forced to conform, as if
she was a robot. The fact that these demons mechanically bring the words out of her
suggests that Halsey’s demons drive her to be different from society.
Analysis: Even though the demons allow her to speak, nothing changes when she resists
because she feels powerless to her own inhibitions.
The flames refer to the fires of Hell, from where the “demons” come. They purposely make
her angry to enjoy the havoc that her anger evokes.
I sold my soul to a three-piece
And he told me I was holy
He's got me down on both knees
But it's the devil that's tryna
Analysis:“Three-piece” refers to a man (likened to the devil) in a three-piece suit (jacket,
vest, trousers) whom she “sold her soul to,” presumably for something in return.
This could be a possible sexual reference: “he’s got me down on both knees” shows a sign of
dominance on his end, telling her that she’s holy, as if she was a god, just to get her right
where he wants her. In the end, it’s her inner demons that keeps her down.
Hold me down, hold me down
Sneaking out the back door,
Make no sound
Knock me out, knock me out

2. Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Analysis: The criticismHalsey faces for being different leads to her self doubt, something
that’s starting to tear her apart from the inside. To escape these demons, Halsey attempts
to run from the judgments, although her demons will continue to follow her anyhow.
Although the constant critiques may get to her at times, she seems to love the fact that
people look at her differently, likely because through this, Halsey knows that she’s unique
and one of a kind. “This is what I live for” emphasizes how she finds encouragement out of
the negative. She strives to prove the doubters wrong.
Hold me down, hold me down
Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Selfish, taking what I want and call it mine
I'm helpless, clinging to a little bit of spine
They rush me, telling me I'm running out of time
They shush me, walking me across a fragile line
Analysis: Struggling with self-doubt, Halsey holds on to the little bit of self-confidence and
dignity (spine) she has left. Her critics tell her that her time in the spotlight is quickly fading
away, and soon she will become irrelevant. Furthermore, when Halsey tries to speak out,
she is told to keep her mouth shut, for if she continues to speak, people are bound to
continue to denounce what she says.
I sold my soul to a three-piece
And he told me I was holy
He's got me down on both knees
But it's the devil that's tryna

3. Hold me down, hold me down
Sneaking out the back door,
Make no sound
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Hold me down, hold me down
Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for
Hold me down now
Hold me down now
Hold me down
I sold my soul to a three-piece
And he told me I was holy
He's got me down on both knees
But it's the devil that's tryna
Hold me down, hold me down
Sneaking out the back door,
Make no sound
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for

4. Hold me down, hold me down
Throw me in the deep end, watch me drown
Knock me out, knock me out
Saying that I want more, this is what I live for