New Americana
{{short description|2015 single by Halsey}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox song
| name = New Americana
| cover = Halsey - New Americana (Single Cover).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Halsey
| album = Badlands
| released = July 10, 2015
| recorded = 2014 (vocals)
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 3:03
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| writer = {{flatlist|
- Ashley Frangipane
- Larzz Principato
- Kalkutta
- James Mtume
}}
| producer = Lido
| prev_title = Ghost
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = Colors
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|b-eYbUVZedY|"New Americana"}}}}
}}
"New Americana" is a song by American singer and songwriter Halsey from her debut studio album, Badlands (2015).{{cite web|url=http://popcrush.com/halsey-new-americana-listen/|title=Halsey Name-checks Biggie and Nirvana in 'New Americana'|work=PopCrush|date=July 10, 2015 }} It was released on July 10, 2015 through Astralwerks as the album's second single.{{cite web|url=http://www.cdschart.com/halsey-re-releases-promotional-single-new-americana/|title=Halsey Re-Releases Promotional Single "New Americana"|work=CDS Music Chart|url-status=usurped|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201320/http://www.cdschart.com/halsey-re-releases-promotional-single-new-americana/|archivedate=September 23, 2015}} It was written by Halsey, Larzz Principato, and Kalkutta, while production was handled by Lido. Described as an alternative pop and electronic pop song, "New Americana" describes the normalization of aspects of counterculture in the United States, including recreational marijuana use and same-sex marriage. The original version of the song was first released on March 31, 2014 via Halsey's official SoundCloud account for streaming and free download.
Composition
"New Americana" is a midtempo alternative pop{{cite web|url=http://eqmusicblog.com/new-americana-by-halsey/|title="New Americana" by Halsey|work=EQ Music Blog|date=April 2014 }} and electronic pop song{{cite web|url=http://calibertv.net/reviews/album-halsey-badlands/|title=ALBUM: Halsey-'Badlands'|work=CaliberTV|date=September 3, 2015 }} that blends electronica and pop.{{cite web|url=http://mic.com/articles/125640/halsey-new-americana-lyrics-hot-new-artist-drops-the-biggest-new-anthem-of-2015|title=Halsey "New Americana" Lyrics: Hot New Artist Drops The Biggest New Anthem of 2015|author=Mic|work=Mic|date=September 21, 2015 }} According to the digital sheet music published by Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., the song is composed in the key of C minor with an approximate tempo of 87 BPM and a vocal range of B{{flat}}{{sub|3}}-C{{sub|5}}.{{cite web|title=Halsey "New Americana" Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0154647|website=Musicnotes.com| date=September 9, 2015 |publisher=Alfred Publishing Co., Ltd.|accessdate=October 12, 2015}} The track also contains an interpolation of "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume.{{cite AV media notes |title=Badlands |type=CD liner notes |others=Halsey |publisher=Astralwerks |year=2015 |id=2547360342}} Halsey's voice is layered on the chorus, similar to Pink Floyd's hit, "Another Brick in the Wall".{{cite web|last1=Collar|first1=Matt|title=Badlands - Halsey|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/badlands-mw0002860377|website=AllMusic|accessdate=October 12, 2015}}
In an interview with Oyster, Halsey was asked "How do you deal with the frustration of your work being misunderstood?" They replied:{{Cite web|first=Alex|last=Kazemi|title=Halsey On Satire, Sexuality And Finding Solace In Music|url=http://www.oystermag.com/halsey-on-satire-sexuality-and-finding-solace-in-music|work=Oyster|date=August 27, 2015|accessdate=October 9, 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920114130/http://www.oystermag.com/halsey-on-satire-sexuality-and-finding-solace-in-music|archivedate=September 20, 2016}}
{{quote|It's so frustrating when people don't understand the satire of 'New Americana'. They think it's this insane basic pop song, but that's the point. I wrote a song critiquing pop culture and I made it sound like a huge pop song. People are writing angry think pieces about how they don't appreciate me rhyming 'legal marijuana' with 'Biggie and Nirvana'. The whole point is for it to be a buzzworthy song. I'm making fun of current pop culture. Has anyone heard the bridge? I say: 'What kind of bubble gum have you been blowing lately?' In my other songs, I'd never say something like that. But the whole point of that lyric is me saying, 'What kind of bullshit have you been talking? What kind of vapid things have you been obsessed with lately?' Honestly though, the fact people miss the point of the song is driving me fucking insane.}}
Halsey has since deemed the track her worst song, elaborating that she got "burnt out" on it.{{cite web|url=http://www.popbuzz.com/music/artists/halsey/news/worst-song-new-americana/|title=Halsey's Just Picked Her "Worst" Song And It's Probably One Of Your Faves|work=PopBuzz|author=Katie Louise-Smith|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=March 8, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231340/http://www.popbuzz.com/music/artists/halsey/news/worst-song-new-americana/|url-status=dead}} She no longer performs the song live.
Critical reception
The song charted for one week at number 22 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 before re-entering on the chart six weeks later at number 5, and debuting on the main Hot 100 at number 97 the week following. It has been characterized by several critics, including Billboard, USA Today, and The New York Times, as a "generational anthem" for millennials.{{cite magazine|last1=Martins|first1=Chris|title=Art-Pop Singer Halsey on Being Bipolar, Bisexual and an 'Inconvenient Woman'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6671107/halsey-the-weeknd-drugs-badlands-billboard-feature|accessdate=October 12, 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=August 21, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Mansfield|first1=Brian|title=On the Verge: Halsey|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/ontheverge/2015/09/20/halsey-new-americana---verge/72240022/|accessdate=October 12, 2015|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|date=September 20, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Coscarelli|first1=Joe|title=Halsey, With 'Badlands,' Is Moving Fast to Share a Secret Language|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/arts/music/halsey-with-badlands-is-moving-fast-to-share-a-secret-language.html?_r=0|accessdate=October 12, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=August 5, 2015}} Nathan Reese of Pitchfork was unconvinced by the song's lyrics, describing the song as "plasticky" and superficial where it aimed to be inspirational. He concluded reviewing the chorus, finding it "calculated, defiant, and, ultimately, hollow".{{cite news|last1=Reese|first1=Nathan|title=Halsey: Badlands {{!}} Album Reviews|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20951-badlands/|accessdate=October 12, 2015|work=Pitchfork|publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=September 2, 2015}} In June 2017, Halsey named it as her worst song released to date. She claimed she was tired of having to always revisit the song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.popbuzz.com/music/artists/halsey/news/worst-song-new-americana/|title=Halsey's Just Picked Her 'Worst' Song And It's Probably One Of Your Faves|last=Louise-Smith|first=Katie|date=June 29, 2017|website=PopBuzz|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412205636/https://www.popbuzz.com/music/artists/halsey/news/worst-song-new-americana/|url-status=dead}}
Music video
On September 25, 2015, the official video premiered on MTV, and was posted on Halsey's Vevo and YouTube accounts shortly after. The video's dystopian setting has been compared to that of The Hunger Games series.{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Halsey Teases 'Hunger Games'-Themed "New Americana" Video: Watch A Preview|url=http://www.idolator.com/7608946/halsey-new-americana-video-preview|archive-url=https://archive.today/20151104085800/http://www.idolator.com/7608946/halsey-new-americana-video-preview|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2015|accessdate=October 12, 2015|work=Idolator|publisher=Spin Media|date=September 22, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Glusac|first1=Melina|title=Music Video Review: Halsey is too Urban Outfitters in 'New Americana'|url=https://www.michigandaily.com/section/arts/music-video-review-new-americana|accessdate=October 12, 2015|work=The Michigan Daily|publisher=University of Michigan|date=September 30, 2015}} The music video featured a single version of "New Americana" in which included different background vocals, a short instrumental before the bridge, and different mixing.
=Synopsis=
The video opens with an intro of mountain scenery recorded in VHS style with a voice-over of Halsey stating "We were a community. They made me their leader even when I never asked to be. But the lightning in their eyes heralded me to whatever they needed me to become. We were hopeful we would win because nothing could scare us. We feared no city and we feared no man." As the song begins to play, Halsey is then shown joining and being captive with a group of Americans doing unexceptional things. They are then barged in by troops who line them up and take Halsey as hostage since she is presumably the leader of the Americans. She is then dragged to a village where she is tied up to a bonfire. While being poured over with gasoline, Halsey pleads for help but no one responds until immediately before being lit up, when she is then rescued by the Americans. After escaping the troops, Halsey and the Americans are then shown heading out of the forest and running away from the village. The video ends with an instrumental of "Drive" featuring Halsey lying on the ground somewhere similar to the mountains as seen on the opening of the video with a backdrop of a city covered in mist. She is seen wearing a white dystopian outfit and left with nothing but car keys and a radio which she then reaches out to and tries to unravel.
Live performances
In August 2015, Halsey performed "New Americana" at Jimmy Kimmel Live!{{cite web|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2015/08/26/halsey-performs-new-americana-on-jimmy-kimmel-live-watch-now/|title=Halsey Performs "New Americana" on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (Watch Now)|work=Headline Planet|date=August 26, 2015 }} and again in October 2015 at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.{{Cite web|title = Halsey Performs "New Americana" on "Late Show With Stephen Colbert" (Watch Now)|url = http://headlineplanet.com/home/2015/10/10/halsey-performs-new-americana-on-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-updated/|website = Headline Planet| date=October 10, 2015 |accessdate = October 10, 2015|language = en}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| Chart (2015–16)
! Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Flanders Tip|84|artist=Halsey|song=New Americana|accessdate=January 8, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Canada|57|artist=Halsey|accessdate=October 21, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard){{cite web|title=Chart Search|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5b0%5d=ts_chart_artistname%3AHalsey&f%5b1%5d=itm_field_chart_id%3A1239&f%5b2%5d=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Halsey|publisher=Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Halsey|accessdate=October 16, 2015}}
| 36 |
| scope="row"| Canada Rock (Billboard){{cite web|title=Chart Search|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5b0%5d=ts_chart_artistname%3AHalsey&f%5b1%5d=itm_field_chart_id%3A1243&f%5b2%5d=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Halsey|publisher=Billboard Canada Rock for Halsey|accessdate=October 21, 2015}}
| 31 |
| {{singlechart|Czechdigital|34|year=2015|week=50|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Ireland|89|year=2015|week=36|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 4, 2015}} |
| {{singlechart|Italy|24|artist=Halsey|song=New Americana|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2016-01-29|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=January 29, 2016}}
| 1 |
| {{singlechart|Slovakdigital|28|year=2015|week=50|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"| UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/150829cluk.txt|title=CHART: CLUK Update 29.08.2015 (wk35)|publisher=zobbel.de|accessdate=September 5, 2015}}
| 184 |
| {{singlechart|Billboardhot100|60|artist=Halsey|accessdate=January 5, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardalternativesongs|18|artist=Halsey|accessdate=January 21, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardadultpopsongs|27|artist=Halsey|accessdate=January 21, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardpopsongs|25|artist=Halsey|accessdate=January 21, 2016|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardrockairplay|27|artist=Halsey|accessdate=October 13, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Halsey|title=Ghost|relyear=2015|certyear=2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|access-date=May 15, 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|id=3337|access-date=February 8, 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|id=2016-02-12|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certmonth=2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2020|access-date=October 7, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2021|certmonth=8|access-date=September 13, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Silver|relyear=2015|certyear=2021|access-date=January 9, 2021|id=16966-4186-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|access-date=June 13, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Halsey|title=New Americana|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2021|certref={{cite web|url=http://sys2.grammotex.se/netdata/grp006.mbr/artdata?sart=6135800|title=Halsey – New Americana|publisher=Grammofonleverantörernas förening|language=sv|access-date=April 29, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429091618/http://sys2.grammotex.se/netdata/grp006.mbr/artdata?sart=6135800|archive-date=April 29, 2024}}}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|streamsonly=true}}
Release history
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Halsey}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Halsey (singer) songs
Category:Songs about the United States