Harry Styles & Songwriting: A Look at His Raw Lyrics
Harry Styles made the news earlier this week as his hit single, ‘Watermelon Sugar’, peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. This ranking gives Harry his third Top 10 solo single on the charts.
Since the One Direction hiatus began in 2015, Styles has been on quite the journey. His solo work in music – his debut album, ‘Harry Styles’ and the sophomore album, ‘Fine Line’, have been critically acclaimed. Moving away from the limitations of his boy band past, Harry has explored pop-rock and indie rock.
Breaking into the mainstream with unconventional pop singles (see his 6 minute debut single), Harry Styles has scored surprising chart performances as a solo act. Characterised by his raw lyricism and unique style, here is a look at some of the songwriting that has made him a familiar face on the charts.
Photo Credit: All Photos from Artists’ Official Social Media
1. “I can feel you take control// Of who I am and all I’ve ever known// Loving you’s the antidote” ~ ‘Golden‘, Fine Line
2. “We’re not who we used to be// We’re just two ghosts standing in the place of you and me// Trying to remember how it feels to have a heartbeat.” ~ ‘Two Ghosts‘, Harry Styles
3. “Welcome to the final show// Hope you’re wearing your best clothes// You can’t bribe the door on your way to the sky.” ~ ‘Sign of the Times‘, Harry Styles
4. “Comfortable silence is so overrated// Why won’t you ever be the first one to break?// Even the phone misses your call, by the way.” ~ ‘From the Dining Table‘, Harry Styles
5. ” We’re still young// We don’t know where we’re going// But we know where we belong.” ~’Sweet Creature‘, Harry Styles
6. “I’m in my bed// And you’re not here// And there’s no one to blame but the drink and my wandering hands.” ~ ‘Falling‘, Fine Line
7. “She worked her way through a cheap pack of cigarettes// Hard liquor mixed with a bit of intellect.” ~ ‘Kiwi‘, Harry Styles
8. “I was away// And I’m just an arrogant son of a b*tch// Who can’t admit when he’s sorry.” ~ ‘To Be So Lonely‘, Fine Line
9.”Quick pause in conversation/ She plays songs I’ve never heard/ An old lover’s hippie music// Pretends not to know the words.” ~ ‘Treat People with Kindness‘, Fine Line
10. “All the lights couldn’t put out the dark// Runnin’ through my heart/ Lights up and they know who you are// Do you know who you are?” ~ ‘Lights Up‘, Fine Line
By: Ahalya Narayanan
