Chris Stapleton – Broken Halos

Background

• Released in April 2017 as a promotional single from Chris Stapleton’s second studio album, “From A Room: Volume 1”.
• Later became the album’s second official single in July 2017.
• Co-written by Stapleton and Mike Henderson.
• Won numerous awards including
  • Best Country Song at the 60th Grammy Awards
  • Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 52nd Country Music Association Awards

Themes

• Loss and grief, particularly for those who have died young.
• The impermanence of guidance and support figures in life.
• The search for meaning and solace after loss.

Lyrics

The song uses the metaphor of “broken halos” to represent fallen angels, people who were seen as good or helpful but are no longer around.

• The chorus
  • “Seen my share of broken halos / Folded wings that used to fly”
  • “Broken halos that used to shine / Angels come down from the heavens / Just to help us on our way / Come to teach us then they leave us / And they find some other soul to save”
• These lyrics depict these figures as offering guidance and support but ultimately moving on to help others.

Stapleton has said the song was inspired by “people who have passed away before their time,” specifically mentioning the death of a close friend [source: Wikipedia – Broken Halos].

The song offers a melancholic but ultimately hopeful message about finding strength and carrying on after loss.