As It Was

By Anonymous
Contributor

One of the great things about Harry Styles is that you don’t need to be a major fan to love his music. With undeniable catchy-ness and unbeatable good vibes, his songs seem to have a universal appeal. His latest single, “As It Was” is no exception, but it has raised criticism about being too “generic”. I disagree: “As It Was” may be a seemingly upbeat summer song with little below the surface, but it’s actually so much more.

Since its release on April 1st, the song has already become a popular sound on TikTok, with users making throwback edits of themselves over the years to compliment the lyrics “you know it’s not the same as it was.”

This nostalgic trend speaks to the power of the song’s melancholic reflection. Though the beat is reminiscent of Fine Line, with a breezy feel that would be perfect for a drive to the beach, the lyrics speak more to Styles’ self-titled debut. The second verse is especially raw as he gives us a glimpse of a phone conversation: “Harry, you’re no good alone” / “Why are you sitting at home on the floor?” / “What kind of pills are you on?”. These lyrics are too personal to be shrugged off as generic, as is the overall message. “As It Was” is about reminiscing and being held back by the past, a topic that not many singles touch on.

Perhaps the most compelling part of “As It Was” is its ability to be simultaneously melancholy and upbeat. It shouldn’t be written off simply because it’s a hit pop single, because it’s more than that. You can dance to it, and you can cry to it—but you can’t get it out of your head.