The world of music was recently graced with an exciting addition as the British pop icon Harry Styles released a new single, As It Was.
This piece is the lead single from his third studio album, Harry’s House.
The track, which has been making waves in the music industry, is a complex tapestry of emotions, insights, and metaphorical expressions. Let’s take a closer look at what this song is all about.
The Meaning of As It Was
The primary essence of As It Was can be summarised in one word—metamorphosis.
Styles, during an interview, explained that the song is about “embracing change and former self, perspective shift and all that kind of stuff.”
This song beautifully captures Styles’ life experiences and his personal evolution, making it a mirror into the artist’s soul.
The Song’s Inspiration and Backstory
Harry Styles, in an Apple Music interview, stated that the song signifies a transformation that occurred during the pandemic.
The forced slowdown made him realise he wasn’t just a musician but also a friend, a brother, and a son.
The song, therefore, is a reflection of his personal journey and the changes that ensued during this period.
The creation of As It Was was a rather unique process. It was the last song that was written for the album and began in a friend’s front room in England’s countryside.
Originally a slow track, it evolved into an upbeat, synth-infused song that beautifully contrasts Styles’ sorrowful voice with nostalgic lyrics.
Diving into the “As It Was” Lyrics
The lyrics of As It Was are a beautiful tapestry of emotions and experiences.
While the upbeat synth and drums lend the song a vibrant feel, the lyrics provide a stark contrast, painting a picture of nostalgia and loneliness.
The song begins with a heartwarming sample of Styles’ goddaughter saying, “Come on Harry, we want to say goodnight to you.”
Lines like “Ringin’ the bell / And nobody’s coming / to help / Your daddy lives by himself / He just wants to know that you’re well” could potentially refer to his childhood experiences during his parents’ divorce.
However, the song isn’t just about past experiences and memories. It also incorporates elements from Styles’ current personal life.
There are speculations that some lyrics subtly hint at his girlfriend, Olivia Wilde.
The line “Go home, get ahead, / light-speed internet / I don’t wanna talk / about the way that it was / Leave America, two kids follow her / I don’t wanna talk / about who’s doin’ it first” has led fans to believe that Wilde might be a muse for this song.
Despite the assumptions and speculations, the essence of As It Was is about embracing change and accepting that things will never be the same again.
It’s about understanding that everyone evolves, and there’s no reason not to let that evolution seep into the music.
The Music Video for “As It Was”
The music video for As It Was is as captivating and complex as the song itself. It shows Styles and his partner running in a circle.
This representation is influenced by the 2018 art titled “Les Grand Fantômes,” created by Louise Narboni & Yoann Bourgeois, which depicts two dancers in search of ways to defy gravity through a classical music backdrop.
The choreography for the video was done by Bourgeois, one of the creators of “Les Grand Fantômes”.
The video also features Styles and his partner dressed in red and blue clothing, potentially referencing the famous “Red pill and blue pill” dilemma from the 1999 film The Matrix.
The blue pill represents the continuity of the current state of life, while the red pill stands for the quest to know the real truth.
This dilemma seems to encapsulate the central theme of As It Was, further accentuated by the mention of pills in the second verse of the song.
The Success of As It Was
As It Was debuted at No. 1 on the UK Singles Charts, making it Styles’ first single since Sign of the Times to reach No. 1 in the UK.
In the United States, it also charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking his first No. 1 in the U.S. since Watermelon Sugar in August 2020.
The album Harry’s House was released on May 20, entering No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
It is the largest opening-week album in the United States for 2022 yet.
Styles’ new album met acclaim. He kept four songs in the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, making him the first solo British artist to do so.
The singles that went top 10 include Late Night Talking, Music for a Sushi Restaurant, Matilda, and As It Was.
Conclusion
The release of As It Was has once again proven Harry Styles’ prowess as a versatile musician and a profound lyricist.
His ability to weave his personal experiences and emotions into a beautiful melody truly sets him apart.
As listeners, we are left eagerly waiting for what Styles will bring to the music world next.
Until then, As It Was continues to resonate with us, reminding us of the beauty of change and the importance of embracing our evolution.
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Harry Styles As It Was Lyrics
Intro
Come on, Harry, we wanna say goodnight to you
Verse 1
Holdin’ me back
Gravity’s holdin’ me back
I want you to hold out the palm of your hand
Why don’t we leave it at that?
Nothin’ to say
When everything gets in the way
Seems you cannot be replaced
And I’m the one who will stay, oh-oh-oh
Chorus
In this world, it’s just us
You know it’s not the same as it was
In this world, it’s just us
You know it’s not the same as it was
As it was, as it was
You know it’s not the same
Verse 2
Answer the phone
“Harry, you’re no good alone
Why are you sitting at home on the floor?
What kind of pills are you on?”
Ringin’ the bell
And nobody’s coming to help
Your daddy lives by himself
He just wants to know that you’re well, oh-oh-oh
Chorus
In this world, it’s just us
You know it’s not the same as it was
In this world, it’s just us
You know it’s not the same as it was
As it was, as it was
You know it’s not the same
Bridge
Go home, get ahead, light-speed internet
I don’t wanna talk about the way that it was
Leave America, two kids follow her
I don’t wanna talk about who’s doin’ it first
Outro
(Hey)
As it was
You know it’s not the same as it was
As it was, as it was