“The Tradition” serves as a haunting beginning to Halsey’s fourth album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, while introducing the record’s themes of female empowerment and independence. The verses tell the story of a girl being bought and sold, possibly as a metaphor for fame, while the chorus enco...
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus]
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 givе a damn
It's in the blood and this is tradition
Ooh-ooh
[Verse 2]
Oh, the loneliеst girl in town
Was bought for plenty a price
Well, they dress her up in golden crowns
His smile hides a lie
She 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
[Chorus]
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
[Bridge]
You can't take it back, it's good as gone
Well, 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
[Chorus]
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
[Outro]
(It's good as gone)
The Tradition was written by Trent Reznor & Greg Kurstin & Atticus Ross & Halsey.
The Tradition was produced by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.
Halsey released The Tradition on Fri Aug 27 2021.
On the week of September 11, 2021, “The Tradition” debuted at #20 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.