{{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox song | name = Bad at Love | cover = HalseyBadAtLove.png | alt = | type = single | artist = Halsey | album = Hopeless Fountain Kingdom | released = {{Start date|2017|8|22}} | recorded = 2016 | studio = | venue = | genre = * Pop * R&B<!-- Sourced in the "Background and composition" section! --> | length = {{duration|m=3|s=01}} | label = Astralwerks | writer = {{hlist|Ashley Frangipane|Eric Frederic|Justin Tranter|Rogét Chahayed}} | producer = {{hlist|Ricky Reed|Rogét Chahayed}} | prev_title = Now or Never | prev_year = 2017 | next_title = Him & I | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|xdYFuCp3m9k|"Bad at Love"}}}} }} "'''Bad at Love'''" is a song by American singer Halsey from her second studio album, ''Hopeless Fountain Kingdom'' (2017). It was released on August 22, 2017, through Astralwerks as the second single from the album. Halsey co-wrote the song with Justin Tranter, Ricky Reed, and Rogét Chahayed, with the song being produced by the latter two. Lyrically, the song encompasses the protagonist's past relationships and the reasons they were unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pluggedin.com/music-reviews/track/halsey-bad-at-love/|title=Bad At Love {{!}} Track Review|website=Plugged In|language=en|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref>
"Bad at Love" debuted at number 81 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and later peaked at number five, making it Halsey's first top-five entry on the chart as a lead artist. It also reached number one on the Dance Club Songs chart in the US, and at number two on the Mainstream Top 40 chart in the country. "Bad at Love" was certified 8× Platinum in the US, and 3× Platinum in Canada.
"Bad at Love" earned Halsey two award nominations: one at the Teen Choice Awards, and one at the iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards. Between 2017 and 2018, she performed the song live on ''Ellen'', ''Saturday Night Live'', ''Good Morning America''. On the original setlist of her Hopeless Fountain Kingdom Tour, it was listed at number 11, and on the changed setlist, it was an encore.
==Background and composition== {{Listen | pos = right | filename = Halsey - Bad at Love.mp3 | title = "Bad at Love" | description = A 17-second sample from the chorus of "Bad at Love" by Halsey. | type = music }} Halsey told ''Billboard'' that the tune should "sound like Leonardo DiCaprio in a Hawaiian T-shirt in a droptop yellow convertible car – driving down the highway like in ''Miami Vice'' with all his friends."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/halsey-leonardo-dicaprio-inspired-bad-at-love-7940855/|title=Halsey Explains How Leonardo DiCaprio Inspired Her Single 'Bad at Love'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2017-09-21}}</ref>
"Bad at Love" is a mid-tempo<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Murray |first1=Gordon |title=Halsey Hoists 'Bad at Love' to No. 1 on Dance Club Songs Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/halsey-bad-at-love-dance-club-songs-number-one/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=25 January 2020 |date=12 August 2017}}</ref> pop<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Natalie |date=2018-01-11 |title=Here Are the Lyrics to Halsey’s ‘Bad at Love’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/lyrics/halsey-bad-at-love-lyrics-8094013/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and R&B<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodsky |first=Rachel |date=2022-09-29 |title=Best Halsey Songs: 20 Unapologetically Outspoken Alt-Pop Anthems |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-halsey-songs/ |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}</ref> ballad,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Unterberger |first1=Andrew |title=Watch Halsey Perform "Bad at Love" & "Him & I" on ''SNL'' |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/01/halsey-snl-bad-at-love-him-i-performance-watch/ |website=SPIN |accessdate=25 January 2020 |date=14 January 2018}}</ref> which lasts for three minutes and one second. According to musicnotes.com, the song is written in the key of C major.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0174644|title=Halsey "Bad at Love" Sheet Music|website=Musicnotes |date=27 June 2017 }}</ref> On the track, Halsey goes through a list of her different lovers and what went wrong in their relationship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Daly|first=Rhian|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom-review|title=Halsey – 'Hopeless Fountain Kingdom' Review|work=NME|date=June 2, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017}}</ref> With each one, she thought they were "the one" and could "fix her", but it went wrong for various reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/73922/Halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Halsey - hopeless fountain kingdom (album review 2)|website=Sputnikmusic|author=Jack|date=June 3, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redbrick.me/music/slider-music/album-review-halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Album Review: Halsey – hopeless fountain kingdom|publisher=Redbrick|first=Sorcha|last=Hornett|date=June 17, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831214332/http://www.redbrick.me/music/slider-music/album-review-halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|url-status=dead}}</ref> From her history of dating, she concludes that she is "bad at love".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyoungfolks.com/music/104563/album-review-halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Album Review: Halsey – 'Hopeless Fountain Kingdom'|website=The Young Folks|first=Ashley|last=Bulayo|date=June 10, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017}}</ref> Her list of lovers include both men and women indicating at her bisexuality, which is a running theme throughout the album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/halsey-hopeless-fountain-kingdom/|title=Halsey: Hopeless Fountain Kingdom|magazine=Pop Matters|first=Deborah|last=Krieger|date=June 7, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017}}</ref> When a music reviewer pointed out that Halsey "doesn't do anything wrong" in any of the relationships she describes in the song, she responded saying it's about her choice of poor partners, plus the "self deprecating" and "facetious" mood of the song, and her bad love. She also stated it's about being naive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://imgur.com/a/VPXPLda|title=Imgur|last=Imgur|website=Imgur|language=en|access-date=2019-01-29}}</ref> She also stated it's a "sad" song.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/photo-gallery/43207043/embed/44358188/Bad-Love-Halsey|title = "Bad at Love" by Halsey|date = 14 February 2018}}</ref>
==Music video== The music video was directed by Halsey with Sing J Lee. It begins on a desert road, with the singer having a short hairstyle and taking off on a motorcycle. She stops at a gas station, where she picks up a newspaper with her face and "Wanted" written on the first page. With the help of three friends, she avoids capture by two futuristic cops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2017/08/halsey-bad-at-love-video-watch|title=Halsey's a Wanted Woman in New 'Bad At Love' Video|publisher=Fuse|first=Mark|last=Sundstrom|date=August 31, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017}}</ref> Afterward, they ride into the sunset as the video ends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7668162/halsey-bad-at-love-video|title=Halsey's Dystopian Saga Continues In Her 'Bad At Love' Video|publisher=Idolator|first=Mike|last=Wass|date=August 30, 2017|accessdate=August 31, 2017}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The video was uploaded on August 30, 2017, on her Vevo channel.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/halsey-bad-at-love-video-7949224/|title=Halsey Is On the Run in New 'Bad at Love' Video|magazine=Billboard|first=Ashley|last=Iasimone|date=August 30, 2017|access-date=August 31, 2017}}</ref>
==Commercial performance== As of September 2017, the song has sold 76,645 copies in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.<ref name="ussales">{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/28/2017|publisher=Nielsen SoundScan|accessdate=October 2, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002211120/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-28-17.pdf|archivedate=October 2, 2017}}</ref> It peaked at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, becoming her first top five entry as a lead artist and surpassing the chart position of Halsey's previous single "Now or Never", which reached number 17. It would be her highest-charting solo song until almost a year later when "Without Me" reached number one.
Aided by official mixes from Dillon Francis, Hook N Sling, Klangkarussell, Autograf, and Generik,<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7990203/halsey-bad-at-love-remixes-best-list-stream The 5 Best Halsey "Bad at Love" Remixes] from ''Billboard'' (October 6, 2017)</ref> "Bad at Love" gave Halsey her first number one on the Dance Club Songs chart in its December 16, 2017, issue<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/pro/halsey-bad-at-love-dance-club-songs-number-one/ "Halsey Hoists 'Bad at Love' to No. 1 on Dance Club Songs Chart"] from Billboard (December 7, 2017)</ref> and her second number one (as well as her first as a solo artist) on the accompanying Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart in its January 3, 2018, issue.<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/pro/halsey-bad-at-love-dance-mix-show-airplay-chart/ "Halsey's 'Bad at Love' Leads Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart"] from ''Billboard'' (December 28, 2017)</ref>
== Live performances == In 2017, Halsey performed "Bad at Love" at the iHeartRadio summer festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://abc.action.news/watch?v=5VRvA-d0sWI|title=Halsey - Bad at Love (Live at iHeartRadio Summer 2017) -|website=abc.action.news|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> the iHeartRadio Music Festival,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/featured/iheartradio-daytime-stage/content/2017-09-25-iheartvillage-halsey-spills-on-infusing-her-bisexuality-into-bad-at-love/|title=iHeartVillage: Halsey Spills On Infusing Her Bisexuality Into 'Bad At Love' {{!}} Daytime Stage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival {{!}} 98.1 The Breeze|website=Daytime Stage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> and the ''Ellen'' show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://headlineplanet.com/home/2017/11/09/halsey-performs-bad-love-ellen-degeneres-show-watch-now/|title=Halsey Performs "Bad At Love" On "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (Watch Now)|date=2017-11-09|website=Headline Planet|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> In 2018, she performed the song on ''Saturday Night Live'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/halsey-snl-bad-at-love-him-and-i-g-eazy-8094239/|title=Watch Halsey Perform 'Bad at Love' & 'Him & I' on 'SNL'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> ''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> and at the 2018 iHeartRadio MMVAs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmva.muchmusic.com/halsey-sorry-bad-at-love-performance/|title=Halsey Lights Up The Stage With Performance Of 'Sorry' And 'Bad At Love'|website=MMVAs|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref>
==Track listing== *;Digital EP – "Bad at Love (Remixes)"<ref>{{Citation |title=Bad at Love (Remixes) - EP by Halsey on Apple Music |date=2017-10-06 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bad-at-love-remixes-ep/1440875812 |access-date=2024-07-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> #"Bad at Love" (Dillon Francis Remix) – 3:20 #"Bad at Love" (Hook N Sling Remix) – 2:51 #"Bad at Love" (Klangkarussell Remix) – 3:50 #"Bad at Love" (Autograf Remix) – 3:21 #"Bad at Love" (Generik Remix) – 2:46
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2017–2018) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- ! scope="row"| Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/charts/singles-chart|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=October 16, 2017|accessdate=October 14, 2017}}</ref> | 42 |- ! scope="row"| Australia Dance (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1442.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20171017130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20171018-0000/Issue1442.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-10-17|title=ARIA Dance Singles Chart – Week Commencing 16 October 2017|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=14 April 2017}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | 5 |- {{single chart|Canada|22|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2018}} |- ! scope="row"| Colombia (National-Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.national-report.com/top-colombia/|title=Top 100 Colombia|language=Spanish|publisher=National-Report|accessdate=July 22, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402082728/http://www.national-report.com/top-colombia/|archivedate=April 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | 94 |- {{single chart|Czechdigital|48|year=2017|week=44|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2017}} |- ! scope="row"| Latvia (DigiTop100)<ref>{{cite web |date=December 11, 2017 |title=Singles chart for the Week 48, 2017 {{ndash}} Ending November 30, 2017 |url=https://tv3cdn.lv/2017/12/kad-atskaidrosies-piekap-par-kadu-muziku-maksa-latvijas-iedzivotaji-5a325a5f5f909.xlsx |access-date=April 8, 2025 |publisher={{Ill|TV3.lv|lv|tv3.lv|lt=Skaties.lv}} |language=en}}</ref> | 54 |- ! scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Tip)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Halsey&titel=Bad+at+Love&cat=s|title=Halsey - Bad At Love|language=nl|website=Dutch Charts|access-date=May 9, 2022}}</ref> | 8 |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-06-09|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref> | 7 |- {{single chart|Portugal|72|artist=Halsey|song=Bad at Love|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 10, 2017}} |- {{single chart|Slovakia2|69|year=2017|week=47|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 28, 2017}} |- {{single chart|Slovakdigital2|41|year=2017|week=44|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 7, 2017}} |- {{single chart|Billboardhot100|5|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 23, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|20|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 30, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardadultpopsongs|3|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=February 27, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 2, 2017}} |- {{single chart|Billboarddanceairplay|1|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 28, 2017}} |- {{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|2|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 23, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardradiosongs|3|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 2, 2018}} |- {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|17|artist=Halsey|rowheader=true|accessdate=January 9, 2018}} |- ! scope="row" | Venezuela English (Record Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/anglo/|title=Anglo|language=Spanish|date=24 March 2018|archiveurl= http://www.freezepage.com/1522440410TFOZJUIZFL?url=https://www.recordreport.com.ve/publico/anglo/|archivedate=30 March 2018|publisher=Record Report}}</ref> | 5 |- |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"| Position |- ! scope="row"| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/canadian-hot-100|title=Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=December 4, 2018}}</ref> | 69 |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/hot-100-songs|title=Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=December 4, 2018}}</ref> | 27 |- ! scope="row"| US Adult Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/adult-pop-songs|title=Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 2, 2019}}</ref> | 19 |- ! scope="row"| US Dance Club Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/dance-club-songs|title=Dance Club Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 2, 2019}}</ref> | 50 |- ! scope="row"| US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/dance-mix-show-airplay-songs|title=Dance/Mix Show Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 2, 2019}}</ref> | 12 |- ! scope="row"| US Mainstream Top 40 (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/pop-songs|title=Pop Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=December 5, 2018}}</ref> | 16 |- ! scope="row"| US Radio Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/radio-songs|title=Radio Songs – Year-End 2018|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=December 5, 2018}}</ref> | 17 |- ! scope="row"| Venezuela English (Record Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.recordreport.com.ve/noticias/2018/resumen-anual.asp |title=Resumen Anual 2018|publisher=recordreport.com.ve |accessdate=December 28, 2018}}</ref> | 3 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=Bad at Love|artist=Halsey|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=November 15, 2021}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2017|relmonth=8|certyear=2024|access-date=March 12, 2024}} {{Certification Table Entry|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|region=Canada|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=March 20, 2018}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|id=15001|certyear=2025|access-date=February 3, 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2017|certyear=2025|source=radioscope|access-date=September 19, 2025}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|certyear=2026|id=16499-4186-1|access-date=January 16, 2026}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|type=single|award=Platinum|number=8|relyear=2017|certyear=2025|access-date=February 12, 2025}} {{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Halsey|title=Bad at Love|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|source=grammotex|id=8504394|access-date=April 14, 2024}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row"|Various |June 2, 2017 |{{Hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="3" |{{hlist|Capitol|Astralwerks}} | |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | United States | August 22, 2017 |Contemporary hit radio | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |title=Top 40/M Future Releases |publisher=AllAccess |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807073626/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases |archivedate=August 7, 2017 |accessdate=August 7, 2017}}</ref> |- | October 9, 2017 | Hot adult contemporary radio | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|title=Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006110725/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases|archivedate=6 October 2017|publisher=All Access Music Group|accessdate=15 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{YouTube|xdYFuCp3m9k&t|Halsey - Bad At Love}}
{{Halsey}} {{authority control}}
Category:2010s ballads Category:2017 singles Category:2017 songs Category:Astralwerks singles Category:Bisexuality-related songs Category:Capitol Records singles Category:Contemporary R&B ballads Category:Halsey (singer) songs Category:Pop ballads Category:Songs about New Jersey Category:Songs written by Halsey (singer) Category:Songs written by Justin Tranter Category:Songs written by Ricky Reed Category:Songs written by Rogét Chahayed