Be Kind

"Be Kind" is a song that delves into the complexities of a relationship where one partner is struggling with emotional vulnerability and past trauma. Sung from the perspective of Halsey, the lyrics are a direct appeal to a lover who puts up emotional walls, acts aggressively, and tells lies as a defense mechanism. The core message is an empathetic plea for this person to let their guard down and trust in the love and support being offered. It explores themes of patience, reassurance, and the difficulty of loving someone who is afraid to be open. Halsey's lyrics suggest she sees the good within her partner, believing they don't have "a bad bone" in their body, but are instead reacting out of a "bruised ego" and fear. The song advocates for open communication and emotional honesty, framing kindness not just as a gentle demeanor, but as the brave act of allowing oneself to be vulnerable with a loved one. Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, many listeners found its message of compassion and empathy particularly resonant and timely.

A person is speaking to their romantic partner, expressing a desire to believe in their inherent goodness, despite their defensive and erratic behavior. The partner seems to be held back by their ego and past hurts, causing them to act “stone cold” and out of their mind. The speaker recognizes that the partner is afraid and “choking” on their fears, but offers unwavering support, promising to stay by their side every night.

The central conflict revolves around the partner's inability to be open and vulnerable. The speaker questions why they hide their true feelings, lie, and shut out the very person who loves them. There's a strong sense of frustration as the speaker points out the irony of this behavior when they are the one person the partner can confide in and be emotionally safe with. The core message is an appeal to drop the defensive act and embrace kindness and trust within the relationship.

The speaker acknowledges the partner’s need to feel in control, to have the “upper hand,” which stems from past experiences where they had to be constantly on guard. They understand that this defensiveness is a learned behavior, a wall built to protect a broken heart. However, the speaker doesn't want to leave. Instead, they ask their partner to channel that fighting spirit into fighting for the relationship, to try and rebuild the love they once had.

The plea becomes more intense and desperate in the bridge. The speaker admits the emotional toll this one-sided support is taking, stating, “I know it’s hard for you, but it’s not fair / Goin’ sick in the head, tryna get you there.” It highlights the exhaustion of trying to help someone who refuses to let their guard down. Despite this, the song circles back to the main refrain, a powerful and repetitive appeal to stop hiding, stop lying, and to simply be kind to the one who loves them, reinforcing it as the only path forward.

"Be Kind" was released on May 1, 2020, as a collaboration between electronic music producer Marshmello and singer Halsey. The artists first hinted at a collaboration on social media on April 29, 2020, by each posting a flower visual with the caption "friday," before officially announcing the song's title and sharing the cover art a day later. The song was written by Marshmello (Christopher Comstock), Halsey (Ashley Frangipane), Gian Stone, Amy Allen, and Freddy Wexler. The production was handled by Marshmello, Gian Stone, and Miles Ale. Amy Allen had previously co-written Halsey's hits "Without Me" and "Graveyard," continuing their successful collaboration. Marshmello stated he was "instantly obsessed" with the song after its completion and that he and Halsey shared the same vision for the final product. The song was included on Halsey's Collabs EP and the deluxe version of her third studio album, Manic. The music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, was filmed during quarantine. Halsey, who had a broken ankle at the time, learned the choreography from Dani Vitale via FaceTime. The video shoot utilized a Bolt Camera Robot for programmed camera movements to maintain social distancing on set.

"Be Kind" is set to a tempo of 94 beats per minute and is composed in the key of E Major. The song's rhythmic structure is characteristic of dance-pop, with a steady four-on-the-floor beat driving the chorus, encouraging movement while maintaining a relatively relaxed, mid-tempo feel. The verses have a sparser rhythm, allowing the lyrical narrative to breathe before the fuller instrumentation of the chorus kicks in. The rhyme scheme is straightforward, primarily using couplets and simple end rhymes, which enhances its pop accessibility and sing-along quality. For example, in the pre-chorus, "fears" rhymes with "here," and "night" with "side" (as a near rhyme). The chorus uses a repetitive structure where the end word "one" creates a rhythmic and lyrical anchor: "hide from the one," "lie to the one," "cry to the one," "confide in the one." This repetition, combined with the consistent rhythm, makes the central plea both insistent and memorable. The interplay between the syncopated vocal melody and the steady electronic beat creates a compelling groove that is both emotional and danceable.

"Be Kind" merges Marshmello's polished electronic production with Halsey's emotive pop vocals. Musically, the song is described as an '80s-influenced dance-pop and EDM track. The composition builds dynamically, starting with mellow verses that allow Halsey's conversational vocal delivery to take center stage, before escalating into a brighter, more rhythmic chorus with a driving beat. This contrast between the verses and chorus mirrors the lyrical tension between quiet desperation and an anthemic plea. The production features a laid-back chord progression and synthesized textures, with some critics noting references to Daft Punk in the percussion. Halsey's vocal performance is key; her defiant yet empathetic timbre effectively conveys the mix of frustration and unwavering support in the lyrics. Lyrically, the song employs a direct address (second-person "you") to create an intimate, conversational feel. Repetition is used effectively in the chorus ("I don't know why you hide from the one / And close your eyes to the one / Mess up and lie to the one that you love") to hammer home the central message and create a memorable hook.

"Be Kind" achieved notable commercial success globally upon its release in May 2020. It peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 20 in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore. The song was certified Double Platinum in the US and Canada, and Platinum in Australia, Italy, and Poland, indicating widespread popularity. Its release during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic resonated with many listeners, as its message of empathy, patience, and kindness was particularly timely. The music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, garnered attention for its innovative, socially-distanced production and its beautiful, Japanese-inspired visuals, eventually accumulating over 109 million views on YouTube as of October 2023. Several official remixes were released, including versions by Surf Mesa and Jacques Lu Cont, further extending its reach in the electronic music scene. The song is featured on Halsey's Collabs EP and the deluxe edition of her acclaimed album Manic, cementing its place in her discography.

The lyrics of "Be Kind" use direct, yet emotionally charged language, with symbolism rooted in emotional states and actions.

• "Stone cold": This phrase symbolizes the partner's emotional unavailability and defensive posture. It's a physical metaphor for a lack of emotional warmth.
• "Bruises on your ego": This is a powerful metaphor that frames the partner's aggressive and dishonest behavior not as malice, but as a reaction to past emotional injury. It suggests that their pride and self-worth have been damaged, causing them to lash out.
• "Choking on your fears": This imagery vividly portrays the partner as being suffocated and paralyzed by their own anxieties, unable to speak their truth or be vulnerable.
• Music Video Symbolism: The music video adds another layer of symbolism. It begins with Halsey in a sterile, grey, industrial setting, representing the cold and isolated emotional state of her partner. She then awakens into a vibrant, colorful, anime-inspired world filled with flowers and cherry blossoms. This transition symbolizes the beautiful, open, and kind world that is possible if her partner lets go of their fear. The Japanese Sakura (cherry blossom) inspiration specifically points to themes of renewal, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life, urging an embrace of the present moment.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Be Kind" is the entire chorus structure, which pivots around the phrase "the one that you love." The lines "I don't know why you hide from the one / And close your eyes to the one / Mess up and lie to the one that you love" are immediately contrasted with "When you know you can cry to the one / Always confide in the one / You can be kind to the one that you love." This repetition serves as the song's central thesis, highlighting the contradiction between the partner's defensive actions and the safe space being offered. The phrase "be kind," while being the song's title, is not explicitly sung until the very end of the contrasting lines, making its final appearance a powerful resolution and the ultimate message. Another recurring line, "I know you're choking on your fears / Already told you I'm right here," acts as a motif of reassurance, consistently reminding the partner of the singer's steadfast presence and understanding.