Every reference in Halsey's 'You should be sad' music video

10 January 2020, 15:58

By Katie Louise Smith

Halsey channels Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga in her music video for 'You should be sad'.

Get your God damn cowgirl boots on and saddle up because Halsey is taking us to the hoedown. Ahead of the release of her 3rd studio album, Manic, Halsey released the country-inspired 'You should be sad' today (Jan 10) alongside a music video that references the Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain.

The song itself is an upbeat break-up anthem about life after someone has cheated on you. While it's not been explicitly confirmed by Halsey, fans are pretty damn sure the song is about G-Eazy. (The two broke up in 2018.)

READ MORE: Halsey responds to accusations that she "insulted" her fans on stage

The video for the song takes inspiration from the country legends (Shania and Carrie Underwood) and pop artists (Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera) who have come before her and is jam packed full of references to their previous music videos and memorable fashion moments.

There's also, in typical Halsey fashion, several easter eggs to her previous music videos from the Manic era and clues hinting at what's to come on the album scattered throughout the video. Did you catch them all?

Shania Twain's 'That Don't Impress Me Much' and 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman'

Probably the video's most iconic look, which is Halsey dressed head to toe in leopard print and a red wig, was inspired by Shania Twain's 1997 banger 'That Don't Impress Me Much'. Halsey also puts her own spin on the black outfit from 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman' too.

Carrie Underwood's 'Before He Cheats' and 'Cry Pretty'

Shortly after its release, Halsey took to Twitter to explain the inspiration behind the track. "Xtina, Gaga, Carrie, and of course Shania, this was one loaded with nods to badass idols of mine," she wrote. "Had the vision to do a “before he cheats” but instead about after he does haha."

Honestly never knew we needed an 'After He Cheats' anthem until now. Thank you, Halsey.

Halsey also pays homage to the glitter tears from Carrie's 2018 'Cry Pretty' video. A makeup look fit for the next season of Euphoria too, if you ask us.

Christina Aguilera's 'Dirrty'

While some fans pointed out the obvious homage to Harry Styles' bisexual orgy in the 'Lights Up' video, Halsey retweeted a fan who pointed out that the sweaty hoedown breakdown resembled Christina's era-defining 'Dirrty' video – complete with tiny bikini top too.

Lady Gaga's American Horror Story: Hotel reference to Bianca Jagger

Halsey with the long hair on the back of a white horse is a reference to Gaga in the Disco Queen scene from AHS: Hotel. Ryan Murphy took inspiration from Bianca Jagger, who was once pictured on a horse in the middle of the legendary Studio 54 club.

Neither Gaga nor Jagger were actually naked when they did it so Halsey probably pulled inspo from Lady Godiva on that one. One fan noted: "In YSBS Halsey talks about a man who treats her awfully, just like in The tale of Lady Godiva... who’s husband made her ride a horse naked to free people of debt."

There's also several self references in the video too...

Halsey also confirmed various references that were spotted by eagle eyed fans on Twitter. The Queen of Giving Taylor Swift A Run For Her Music Video Easter Eggs Money scattered references to the Manic universe throughout, including a subtle nod to the 'Clementine' video. (The blue light from the aquarium can be seen shining through a doorway in one scene.)

There's also lyrics connecting the song to hopeless fountain kingdom's '100 Letters' as well as the genius visual of Halsey in front of a full moon. The video was released on January 10th, which just so happens to coincide with the first full moon of the decade.

Halsey's album Manic is set for release on Friday 17th January so keep your eyes locked on her socials for even more clues and keep your cowgirl boots close.