Lyrics of Dog Years — Halsey

Halsey formerly had a dog named Jagger, who died away in 2021. A mercy kill is an easy or painless death, or the deliberate termination of the life of a person suffering from an incurable or agonizing sickness at their request. A reference to the 1989 film, "All Dogs Go to Heaven". These are the consoling things that are often said to children when a pet dies, such as stating they are on a farm or blissfully eating chocolate in paradise. Halsey imagines their own death in this manner, with herself as the dog being put down and others comforting the children/fans. Halsey claims to be 28 years old, using the widely held assumption that one human year is equivalent to seven years in the life of a dog.

Song Info

• Artist: Halsey
• Track: "Dog Years"
• Album: The Great Impersonator (Y2K Digital Exclusive) (2024)
• Producers: Greg Kurstin, Michael Uzowuru
• Additional Production: Teo Halm
• Label: Columbia Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Anti-Pop LLC
• Release Date: October 25, 2024
• Genre: Pop-Rock
• Inspiration: PJ Harvey

Top 8 Songs Similar to "Dog Years" by Halsey

Halsey's "Dog Years" captures a raw, vulnerable longing to escape from the weight of existence, blending self-worth struggles with darkly poetic imagery. Here’s a collection of similar tracks exploring mortality, belonging, and introspective vulnerability.

1. PJ Harvey - "Down by the Water"

“Little fish, big fish, swimming in the water…”

PJ Harvey’s haunting "Down by the Water" shares a deep, visceral sadness and foreboding that influences "Dog Years." Harvey's introspective lyrics mirror Halsey's exploration of feeling like a “good dog” desperate to escape, blending dark self-reflection with eerie, emotive instrumentals.

2. Radiohead - "Fake Plastic Trees"

“It wears her out… It wears her out…”

Radiohead’s "Fake Plastic Trees" captures themes of exhaustion with life’s artificiality, resonating with Halsey’s repeated acknowledgment, “I’m not old, but I am tired.” Both tracks unveil the emptiness of yearning for a simpler, more authentic existence that often feels out of reach.

3. Mitski - "A Pearl"

“Nobody told me it ended, and it left a pearl in my head.”

Mitski's "A Pearl" speaks to the burden of regret and self-blame, paralleling Halsey’s expression of emotional exhaustion. Mitski’s tender vulnerability aligns with Halsey’s desire to escape life’s hardships and “go to the farm, where all the dogs go.” Both songs blend intense self-exploration with metaphors of longing.

4. Nirvana - "Something in the Way"

“It’s okay to eat fish, ’cause they don’t have any feelings.”

Kurt Cobain’s bleak "Something in the Way" reflects themes of disconnection and a wish for oblivion. Like Halsey’s “Put me down like a lame horse,” Cobain expresses a resigned acceptance of his struggles. Both artists delve into the feeling of existing on the outskirts of society, dealing with existential malaise.

5. Fiona Apple - "Shadowboxer"

“Once my lover, now my friend, what a cruel thing to pretend.”

Fiona Apple’s "Shadowboxer" takes on complex emotional relationships and resilience. Halsey’s lyrics reflect a similar energy, where survival feels like an exhausting emotional battle. Apple’s expression of fighting internal shadows echoes Halsey’s own struggle for peace within herself.

6. Alanis Morissette - "Right Through You"

“You took a long hard look at my ass, and then played golf for a while.”

Alanis Morissette’s raw and biting "Right Through You" reflects anger and frustration toward societal expectations. Halsey’s “Dog Years” is similarly sardonic, presenting dark humor with lines like “I’m on a real short leash, but I like it tight.” Both artists tackle defiance toward societal pressures with darkly humorous undertones.

7. Avril Lavigne - "Nobody's Home"

“She wants to go home, but nobody’s home. That’s where she lies, broken inside.”

Avril Lavigne’s "Nobody's Home" speaks to feeling lost and misunderstood, a theme that permeates "Dog Years." Halsey’s verses about seeking “mercy” and feeling lost resonate with Lavigne’s depiction of a person struggling to find a place of comfort and belonging.

8. Sufjan Stevens - "Death with Dignity"

“I forgive you, mother, I can hear you…”

Sufjan Stevens’ "Death with Dignity" grapples with mortality, family, and the peace that can come with acceptance. Halsey’s themes of life and death, particularly in her plea for a “mercy kill,” echo Stevens' introspective reflections on life’s fragility and the search for personal peace in a world that often feels overwhelming. Each of these songs resonates with Halsey’s emotionally complex, lyrically dark exploration in "Dog Years," exploring themes of mortality, self-worth, and identity against the backdrop of an unforgiving world. The artists share Halsey's use of haunting, evocative imagery to confront their inner struggles with existential and emotional weight.