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{{short description|2017 song by Halsey ft. Lauren Jauregui}}
{{Short description|2017 song by Halsey featuring Lauren Jauregui}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Strangers
| name = Strangers
Line 5: Line 5:
| alt =
| alt =
| border = yes
| border = yes
| type = promotional
| type = promotional
| artist = [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] featuring [[Lauren Jauregui]]
| artist = [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] featuring [[Lauren Jauregui]]
| album = [[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]
| album = [[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]
| released = {{Start date|2017|5|26}}
| released = {{Start date|2017|5|26}}
| format = {{hlist|[[Music download|Digital download]]|[[streaming media|streaming]]}}
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
Line 20: Line 19:
| lyricist =
| lyricist =
| producer = Greg Kurstin
| producer = Greg Kurstin
|chronology=[[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] promotional single
|prev_title = [[Eyes Closed (Halsey song)|Eyes Closed]]
|prev_year = 2017
|next_title = [[Clementine (Halsey song)|Clementine]]
|next_year = 2019
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|RVd_71ZdRd4|title="Strangers"}}|type=song}}
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|RVd_71ZdRd4|title="Strangers"}}|type=song}}
}}
}}


"'''Strangers'''" is a song by American singer [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] featuring [[Lauren Jauregui]]. It was released on May 26, 2017 by [[Astralwerks]] as a [[Promotional_recording#Promotional_single|promotional single]] from Halsey's second studio album, ''[[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]'' (2017). The song received critical acclaim. Halsey later released a music video on June 20, 2018.
"'''Strangers'''" is a song by American singer [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] featuring [[Lauren Jauregui]]. It was released on May 26, 2017, through [[Astralwerks]] as the second [[Promotional recording#Promotional single|promotional single]] from her second studio album, ''[[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]'' (2017). The song received critical acclaim. Halsey later released a music video on June 20, 2018.


==Background==
==Background==
The album's track listing was revealed on April 29, 2017 on Halsey's [[Instagram]] account, where it was first known that Halsey would collaborate with singer Lauren Jauregui on a song called "Strangers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7662069/halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom-tracklist-features-credits|title=Halsey's 'hopeless fountain kingdom' Tracklist Reveals Surprise Features|publisher=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=April 28, 2017|accessdate=June 5, 2017}}</ref> In April, during several radio interviews that Halsey attended to promote the album, she further commented about the song:
The album's track listing was revealed on April 29, 2017, on Halsey's [[Instagram]] account, where it was first known that Halsey would collaborate with [[Fifth Harmony]]'s Lauren Jauregui on a song called "Strangers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7662069/halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom-tracklist-features-credits|title=Halsey's 'hopeless fountain kingdom' Tracklist Reveals Surprise Features|publisher=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=April 28, 2017|accessdate=June 5, 2017}}</ref> In April, during several radio interviews that Halsey attended to promote the album, she further commented about the song:
<blockquote>I was thinking to myself, if I want this song to be believable, it needs to be real, so I'm not going to put a girl on the song to sing who's straight. I'm just not going to do it. So I reached out to Lauren and she came in and she cut the vocal and it sounds awesome. Our voices sound really cool together because we both have really raspy voices, mine's a little more delicate than hers. Hers is like really powerful and big and raspy, and mine is kind of like light and raspy. But it's really cool because I'm bisexual. I just love that Lauren and I are two women who have a mainstream pop presence doing a love song for the LGBT community, it's unheard of. It's very rare to see it from a female perspective.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7663120/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-lgbt-love-song|title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's Duet Is 'A Love Song For The LGBT Community'|publisher=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=May 17, 2017|accessdate=June 5, 2017}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>I was thinking to myself, if I want this song to be believable, it needs to be real, so I'm not going to put a girl on the song to sing who's [[Heterosexual women|straight]]. I'm just not going to do it. So I reached out to Lauren and she came in and she cut the vocal and it sounds awesome. Our voices sound really cool together because we both have really raspy voices, mine's a little more delicate than hers. Hers is like really powerful and big and raspy, and mine is kind of like light and raspy. But it's really cool because I'm [[Bisexual women|bisexual]]. I just love that Lauren and I are two women who have a [[Pop culture|mainstream pop]] presence doing a love song for the [[LGBT community]], it's unheard of. It's very rare to see it from a female perspective.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7663120/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-lgbt-love-song|title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's Duet Is 'A Love Song For The LGBT Community'|publisher=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=May 17, 2017|accessdate=June 5, 2017}}</ref></blockquote>


==Composition==
==Composition==


"Strangers" incorporates a 1980s-inspired production,<ref name="spin">{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/05/listen-halsey-strangers-stream/|title=Halsey – 'Strangers' (ft. Lauren Jauregui) |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|first=Anna|last=Gaca|date=May 25, 2017|accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref> with [[echo]]ed [[synthesizer]]s and strong [[drumline]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2017/05/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers|title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui Sing About Ex-girlfriends On Sexy 'Strangers' Song: Listen|publisher= [[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]]|date= May 26, 2017|access-date= June 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Dan|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/06/album-review-halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
"Strangers" incorporates a [[1980s in music|1980s]]-inspired production,<ref name="spin">{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/05/listen-halsey-strangers-stream/|title=Halsey – 'Strangers' (ft. Lauren Jauregui) |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|first=Anna|last=Gaca|date=May 25, 2017|accessdate=May 26, 2017}}</ref> with [[echo]]ed [[synthesizer]]s and strong [[drumline]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2017/05/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers|title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui Sing About Ex-girlfriends On Sexy 'Strangers' Song: Listen|publisher= [[Fuse (TV channel)|Fuse]]|date= May 26, 2017|access-date= June 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Dan|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/06/album-review-halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
Analyzing its lyrical content Alexia Shouneya from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote, "Strangers is about two women longing for one another,"<ref name="billboard"/> while Christina Lee of [[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] opined, "The lyrics actually tell a straightforward story about a dissolved relationship, and the loneliness that quickly follows."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.idolator.com/7663659/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers |title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui’s Epic "Strangers" Arrives: Listen |last=Lee |first=Christina |date=May 26, 2017 |work=Idolator |access-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref>
Analyzing its lyrical content Alexia Shouneya from ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' wrote, "Strangers is about two women longing for one another,"<ref name="billboard"/> while Christina Lee of ''[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]]'' opined, "The lyrics actually tell a straightforward story about a dissolved relationship, and the loneliness that quickly follows."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.idolator.com/7663659/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers |title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's Epic "Strangers" Arrives: Listen |last=Lee |first=Christina |date=May 26, 2017 |work=Idolator |access-date=June 19, 2017}}</ref>


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==


"Strangers" received critical acclaim.<ref name="Strangers MTV">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/lauren-jauregui/news/lauren-jauregui-and-halsey-land-major-spotify-milestone|title=Lauren Jauregui And Halsey Land Major Spotify Milestone|publisher=[[MTV (UK and Ireland)]]|accessdate=February 10, 2019|date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s journalist [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] noted that "same-sex love songs remain a rarity in the pop music of the 2010s, and ... that's a sly reveal of how Halsey represents a generational shift".<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hopeless-fountain-kingdom-mw0003038654|title=Hopeless Fountain Kingdom – Halsey|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref> In her review for ''Billboard'', Alexia Shouneya noted "in the first verse alone, she uses the female pronoun four times, once in every line, making it impossible to miss, skim over or interpret as anything other than what it was meant to be: a strong, unapologetic acknowledgement of lesbian and bisexual women."<ref name="billboard">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7824521/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-lgbtq-representation|title= Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's 'Strangers' Is a Long-Overdue Bisexual Milestone In Mainstream Music|work= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date= June 6, 2017|access-date= June 19, 2017}}</ref> Anna Caga of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' believed that "Strangers" is the "best Halsey['s] song" and described it as "slinky and addicting", adding that its best moments are "Jauregui's ad-libs, the way she slurs the word 'innocent' with the kind of spontaneous passion Halsey never allows herself."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/05/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-review/|title= "Strangers" Is Halsey’s Best Song|work= Spin|date= May 26, 2017|access-date= June 19, 2017}}</ref> In ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'', Katherine St. Asaph said the song "shimmers and yearns like a recent [[Tegan and Sara]] cut" and "contains the album's most nuanced lyrics, the coupling that's most promising yet most out of reach."<ref>{{cite web|last=St. Asaph|first=Katherine|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23301-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Halsey: hopeless fountain kingdom|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
"Strangers" received critical acclaim.<ref name="Strangers MTV">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/wsieec/lauren-jauregui-and-halsey-land-major-spotify-milestone|title=Lauren Jauregui And Halsey Land Major Spotify Milestone|publisher=[[MTV (UK and Ireland)]]|access-date=February 10, 2019|date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s journalist [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] noted that "same-sex love songs remain a rarity in the [[pop music]] of the [[2010s in music|2010s]], and ... that's a sly reveal of how Halsey represents a generational shift".<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/hopeless-fountain-kingdom-mw0003038654|title=Hopeless Fountain Kingdom – Halsey|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref> In her review for ''Billboard'', Alexia Shouneya noted "in the first verse alone, she uses the female pronoun four times, once in every line, making it impossible to miss, skim over or interpret as anything other than what it was meant to be: a strong, unapologetic acknowledgement of [[lesbian]] and bisexual women."<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7824521/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-lgbtq-representation|title= Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's 'Strangers' Is a Long-Overdue Bisexual Milestone In Mainstream Music|magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date= June 6, 2017|access-date= June 19, 2017}}</ref> Anna Caga of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' believed that "Strangers" is the "best Halsey['s] song" and described it as "slinky and addicting", adding that its best moments are "Jauregui's [[ad-libs]], the way she slurs the word 'innocent' with the kind of spontaneous passion Halsey never allows herself."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2017/05/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-review/|title= "Strangers" Is Halsey's Best Song|work= Spin|date= May 26, 2017|access-date= June 19, 2017}}</ref> In ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'', Katherine St. Asaph said the song "shimmers and yearns like a recent [[Tegan and Sara]] cut" and "contains the album's most nuanced lyrics, the coupling that's most promising yet most out of reach."<ref>{{cite web|last=St. Asaph|first=Katherine|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23301-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Halsey: hopeless fountain kingdom|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>


''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' ranked "Strangers" 97 on its critics list of the 100 Best Songs of 2017. Chris Payne wrote that it is ''Billboard'' staff's favorite song from the album, praising Halsey and Jauregui's chemistry and Jauregui's tone and delivery of "lovesick desperation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8063600/100-best-songs-of-2017-critics-picks|title=Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks|work=Billboard|author=Billboard Staff|date=December 13, 2017|accessdate=December 14, 2017}}</ref> ''Billboard'' regarded the song as a "long-overdue bisexual milestone in mainstream music."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7824521/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-lgbtq-representation|title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's 'Strangers' Is a Long-Overdue Bisexual Milestone in Mainstream Music|work=Billboard|accessdate=July 21, 2017|date=June 6, 2017}}</ref>
''Billboard'' ranked "Strangers" at number 97 on its critics list of the 100 Best Songs of 2017. Chris Payne wrote that it is ''Billboard'' staff's favorite song from the album, praising Halsey and Jauregui's chemistry and Jauregui's tone and delivery of "lovesick desperation".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/8063600/100-best-songs-of-2017-critics-picks|title=Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks|magazine=Billboard|author=Billboard Staff|date=December 13, 2017|accessdate=December 14, 2017}}</ref> ''Billboard'' regarded the song as a "long-overdue bisexual milestone in mainstream music."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7824521/halsey-lauren-jauregui-strangers-lgbtq-representation|title=Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's 'Strangers' Is a Long-Overdue Bisexual Milestone in Mainstream Music|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 21, 2017|date=June 6, 2017}}</ref> In 2019, ''Billboard'' included the song in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/lesbian-love-best-songs-playlist-7972931/|title=30 Lesbian Love Songs: Women Singing About Women (Updated 2019)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Russell|first=Erica|date=February 13, 2019|access-date=January 20, 2023}}</ref>


==Live performances==
==Live performances==
Halsey and Jauregui performed "Strangers" on ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]'' on June 9, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Sadie |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7825627/today-show-lauren-jauregui-halsey-strangers |title=Lauren Jauregui Joins Halsey for 'Today Show' Performance |work=Billboard |date=June 9, 2017 |accessdate=June 10, 2017}}</ref> The following day, the two performed the song at iHeartSummer '17 Weekend in [[Miami Beach, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ktu.iheart.com/articles/trending-104650/halsey-brings-out-lauren-jauregui-for-15902833/ |title=Halsey Brings Out Lauren Jauregui For 'Strangers' During iHeartSummer '17 |publisher=[[103.5 KTU]] |date=June 10, 2017 |accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref> In June 2018, they performed the song on [[Good Morning America]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footwearnews.com/2018/fashion/celebrity-style/halsey-good-morning-america-crop-top-dr-martens-1202569312/|title=Halsey Goes for White-Hot Look in Crop Top and Dr. Martens on ‘Good Morning America’|last=Chochrek|first=Ella|last2=Chochrek|first2=Ella|date=2018-06-02|website=Footwear News|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref>
Halsey and Jauregui performed "Strangers" on ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'' on June 9, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bell |first=Sadie |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7825627/today-show-lauren-jauregui-halsey-strangers |title=Lauren Jauregui Joins Halsey for 'Today Show' Performance |magazine=Billboard |date=June 9, 2017 |accessdate=June 10, 2017}}</ref> The following day, the two performed the song at iHeartSummer '17 Weekend in [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ktu.iheart.com/articles/trending-104650/halsey-brings-out-lauren-jauregui-for-15902833/ |title=Halsey Brings Out Lauren Jauregui For 'Strangers' During iHeartSummer '17 |publisher=[[103.5 KTU]] |date=June 10, 2017 |accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref> In June 2018, they performed the song on ''[[Good Morning America]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footwearnews.com/2018/fashion/celebrity-style/halsey-good-morning-america-crop-top-dr-martens-1202569312/|title=Halsey Goes for White-Hot Look in Crop Top and Dr. Martens on 'Good Morning America'|last=Chochrek|first=Ella|date=2018-06-02|website=Footwear News|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref>


==Credits and personnel==
==Credits and personnel==
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''[[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=[[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]] |type=liner notes |others=[[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] |publisher=[[Astralwerks]] |year=2017 |id=2557562385}}</ref>
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''[[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=[[Hopeless Fountain Kingdom]]|type=liner notes|publisher=[[Astralwerks]]|year=2017|id=2557562385|author=Halsey|author-link=Halsey (singer)}}</ref>


{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] – vocals
* [[Halsey (singer)|Halsey]] – vocals
* Julian Burg – recording
* Julian Burg – recording
Line 56: Line 59:
* [[Greg Kurstin]] – drum programming, drums, guitar, keyboards, production, recording
* [[Greg Kurstin]] – drum programming, drums, guitar, keyboards, production, recording
* Alex Pasco – recording
* Alex Pasco – recording
{{Div col end}}


==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 64: Line 66:
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/06/aria-chart-watch-423/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #423|publisher=auspOp|date=June 3, 2017|accessdate=June 3, 2017}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/06/aria-chart-watch-423/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #423|publisher=auspOp|date=June 3, 2017|accessdate=June 3, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806064006/https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/06/aria-chart-watch-423/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 93
| 93
|-
|-
Line 72: Line 74:
| 137
| 137
|-
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=4368|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=June 5, 2017|accessdate=June 2, 2017}}</ref>
! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-06-02|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=June 5, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref>
| 3
| 3
|-
|-
Line 82: Line 84:
{{single chart|Scotland|45|date=2017-06-02|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 3, 2017}}
{{single chart|Scotland|45|date=2017-06-02|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 3, 2017}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Slovakdigital|89|year=2017|week=23|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 13, 2017}}
{{single chart|Slovakdigital2|89|year=2017|week=23|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 13, 2017}}
|-
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|100|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 6, 2017}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|100|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 6, 2017}}
Line 89: Line 91:
==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|artist=Halsey|title=Strangers|salesamount=20,000|accessdate=September 14, 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|relmonth=5|certyear=2024|artist=Halsey|title=Strangers|access-date=June 20, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2019|artist=Halsey|title=Strangers|salesamount=500,000|accessdate=September 6, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2019|artist=Halsey|title=Strangers|access-date=September 6, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|Halsey|Strangers}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->
* {{YouTube|e3hjpNuvapQ|Audio}}
* {{YouTube|e3hjpNuvapQ|Audio}}


{{Halsey}}
{{Halsey}}
{{Lauren Jauregui}}
{{Lauren Jauregui}}

[[Category:2017 songs]]
[[Category:2017 songs]]
[[Category:Halsey (singer) songs]]
[[Category:Halsey (singer) songs]]
[[Category:Lauren Jauregui songs]]
[[Category:Lauren Jauregui songs]]
[[Category:LGBT-related songs]]
[[Category:Bisexuality-related songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Greg Kurstin]]
[[Category:Songs written by Greg Kurstin]]
[[Category:Vocal duets]]
[[Category:Female vocal duets]]
[[Category:Songs written by Halsey (singer)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Halsey (singer)]]

Latest revision as of 07:08, 20 November 2024

"Strangers"
Promotional single by Halsey featuring Lauren Jauregui
from the album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
ReleasedMay 26, 2017 (2017-05-26)
GenreSynth-pop[1]
Length3:41
LabelAstralwerks
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Kurstin
Halsey promotional single chronology
"Eyes Closed"
(2017) 		"Strangers"
(2017) 		"Clementine"
(2019)
Music video
"Strangers" on YouTube

"Strangers" is a song by American singer Halsey featuring Lauren Jauregui. It was released on May 26, 2017, through Astralwerks as the second promotional single from her second studio album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (2017). The song received critical acclaim. Halsey later released a music video on June 20, 2018.

Background

[edit]

The album's track listing was revealed on April 29, 2017, on Halsey's Instagram account, where it was first known that Halsey would collaborate with Fifth Harmony's Lauren Jauregui on a song called "Strangers".[2] In April, during several radio interviews that Halsey attended to promote the album, she further commented about the song:

I was thinking to myself, if I want this song to be believable, it needs to be real, so I'm not going to put a girl on the song to sing who's straight. I'm just not going to do it. So I reached out to Lauren and she came in and she cut the vocal and it sounds awesome. Our voices sound really cool together because we both have really raspy voices, mine's a little more delicate than hers. Hers is like really powerful and big and raspy, and mine is kind of like light and raspy. But it's really cool because I'm bisexual. I just love that Lauren and I are two women who have a mainstream pop presence doing a love song for the LGBT community, it's unheard of. It's very rare to see it from a female perspective.[3]

Composition

[edit]

"Strangers" incorporates a 1980s-inspired production,[4] with echoed synthesizers and strong drumline[5][6] Analyzing its lyrical content Alexia Shouneya from Billboard wrote, "Strangers is about two women longing for one another,"[7] while Christina Lee of Idolator opined, "The lyrics actually tell a straightforward story about a dissolved relationship, and the loneliness that quickly follows."[8]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Strangers" received critical acclaim.[9] AllMusic's journalist Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that "same-sex love songs remain a rarity in the pop music of the 2010s, and ... that's a sly reveal of how Halsey represents a generational shift".[10] In her review for Billboard, Alexia Shouneya noted "in the first verse alone, she uses the female pronoun four times, once in every line, making it impossible to miss, skim over or interpret as anything other than what it was meant to be: a strong, unapologetic acknowledgement of lesbian and bisexual women."[7] Anna Caga of Spin believed that "Strangers" is the "best Halsey['s] song" and described it as "slinky and addicting", adding that its best moments are "Jauregui's ad-libs, the way she slurs the word 'innocent' with the kind of spontaneous passion Halsey never allows herself."[11] In Pitchfork, Katherine St. Asaph said the song "shimmers and yearns like a recent Tegan and Sara cut" and "contains the album's most nuanced lyrics, the coupling that's most promising yet most out of reach."[12]

Billboard ranked "Strangers" at number 97 on its critics list of the 100 Best Songs of 2017. Chris Payne wrote that it is Billboard staff's favorite song from the album, praising Halsey and Jauregui's chemistry and Jauregui's tone and delivery of "lovesick desperation".[13] Billboard regarded the song as a "long-overdue bisexual milestone in mainstream music."[14] In 2019, Billboard included the song in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".[15]

Live performances

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Halsey and Jauregui performed "Strangers" on Today on June 9, 2017.[16] The following day, the two performed the song at iHeartSummer '17 Weekend in Miami Beach, Florida.[17] In June 2018, they performed the song on Good Morning America.[18]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.[19]

  • Halsey – vocals
  • Julian Burg – recording
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • John Hanes – engineering for mix
  • Lauren Jauregui – vocals
  • Ezra Kurstin – voices
  • Greg Kurstin – drum programming, drums, guitar, keyboards, production, recording
  • Alex Pasco – recording

Charts

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Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[20] 93
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[21] 18
France (SNEP)[22] 137
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[23] 3
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[24] 90
Portugal (AFP)[25] 57
Scotland (OCC)[26] 45
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[27] 89
US Billboard Hot 100[28] 100

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[29] Platinum 60,000‡
United States (RIAA)[30] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Villa, Lucas (May 30, 2017). "Listen: Halsey and Fifth Harmony's Lauren Jauregui take on a girlfriend gone cold on 'Strangers'". AXS. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  2. ^ Wass, Mike (April 28, 2017). "Halsey's 'hopeless fountain kingdom' Tracklist Reveals Surprise Features". Idolator. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  3. ^ Wass, Mike (May 17, 2017). "Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's Duet Is 'A Love Song For The LGBT Community'". Idolator. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  4. ^ Gaca, Anna (May 25, 2017). "Halsey – 'Strangers' (ft. Lauren Jauregui)". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  5. ^ "Halsey & Lauren Jauregui Sing About Ex-girlfriends On Sexy 'Strangers' Song: Listen". Fuse. May 26, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  6. ^ Weiss, Dan (June 7, 2017). "Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's 'Strangers' Is a Long-Overdue Bisexual Milestone In Mainstream Music". Billboard. June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  8. ^ Lee, Christina (May 26, 2017). "Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's Epic "Strangers" Arrives: Listen". Idolator. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  9. ^ "Lauren Jauregui And Halsey Land Major Spotify Milestone". MTV (UK and Ireland). March 14, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom – Halsey". AllMusic. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  11. ^ ""Strangers" Is Halsey's Best Song". Spin. May 26, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  12. ^ St. Asaph, Katherine (June 7, 2017). "Halsey: hopeless fountain kingdom". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  13. ^ Billboard Staff (December 13, 2017). "Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2017: Critics' Picks". Billboard. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  14. ^ "Halsey & Lauren Jauregui's 'Strangers' Is a Long-Overdue Bisexual Milestone in Mainstream Music". Billboard. June 6, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  15. ^ Russell, Erica (February 13, 2019). "30 Lesbian Love Songs: Women Singing About Women (Updated 2019)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  16. ^ Bell, Sadie (June 9, 2017). "Lauren Jauregui Joins Halsey for 'Today Show' Performance". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  17. ^ "Halsey Brings Out Lauren Jauregui For 'Strangers' During iHeartSummer '17". 103.5 KTU. June 10, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  18. ^ Chochrek, Ella (2018-06-02). "Halsey Goes for White-Hot Look in Crop Top and Dr. Martens on 'Good Morning America'". Footwear News. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  19. ^ Halsey (2017). Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (liner notes). Astralwerks. 2557562385.
  20. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #423". auspOp. June 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  21. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 51,52. týden 2018 in the date selector. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  22. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 22, 2017)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  23. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  24. ^ "BillboardPH Hot 100 - June 19". Billboard Philippines. June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  25. ^ "Halsey feat. Lauren Jauregui – Strangers". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  27. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 23. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  28. ^ "Halsey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  29. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Halsey – Strangers" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  30. ^ "American single certifications – Halsey – Strangers". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
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