Songfacts®:

• "You Should Be Sad" is a country-influenced track in which Halsey disses a troubled ex - the dude filled the hole inside him "with money, drugs, and cars." At first, blinded by love, she was unaware he had serious flaws. Once Halsey noticed his issues, she tried to assist her guy, only to realize he couldn't love anything unless there's something in it for him. Once she grasped he was not the man she thought he was, Halsey dumped him.
• The track shares similarities with Halsey's October 2018 single "Without Me," which is about her relationship with G-Eazy. The rapper is known for having "money, drugs and cars."
  
  Another hint that G-Eazy may be the song's subject is that Halsey references her relief that they didn't have children together. She had alluded to the possibility of having kids with the rapper during a 2018 interview with Marie Claire.
• Halsey revealed on Twitter she wrote the song on her living room floor on her guitar, inspired by time spent in Nashville. The singer added that "the most pretty and heartbreaking songs all come from country."
• Halsey wrote the song with producer Greg Kurstin. Their other collaborations include her duet with Lauren Jauregui "Strangers" and the Manic track "Finally // Beautiful Stranger."
• Colin Tilley (Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled) helmed the video, which depicts Halsey letting loose in an underground country club. The clip packs in several Nashville tributes including line dancing and a reference to Shania Twain's iconic leopard leotard. There are also nods to Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and Carrie Underwood.
  
  Writing about the inspiration for the outfits, Halsey tweeted, "Xtina, Gaga, Carrie, and of course Shania, this was one loaded with nods to bad-ss idols of mine. Had the vision to do a 'Before He Cheats ' but instead about after he does haha."
• Halsey's glittery tear makeup is a reference to the cover of Carrie Underwood's Cry Pretty album. Underwood was flattered for the nod, tweeting, "Woah, to be put in such royal company ... I can only pretend I'm that cool/beautiful/talented/strong."