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He’s back. Harry Styles‘ “As It Was” lyrics are as cryptic as ever, but leave it to fans to decipher the song’s meaning (and its secret reference to Olivia Wilde.)
“As It Was,” which was released on April 1, 2022, is the lead single from Harry‘s upcoming third studio album, Harry’s House, which will debut on March 20, 2022. The song, which is two minutes and 47 seconds long, was written by Harry and songwriters Thomas Hull and Tyler Johnson, who have also co-written songs like “Watermelon Sugar,” “Adore You,” “Golden” and “Falling” with the former One Direction member.
In an interview with Dazed in 2021, Harry—who has released two solo albums, 2017’s Harry Styles and 2019’s Fine Line, as well as starred in movies like Dunkirk, Eternals and the upcoming Don’t Worry Darling and The Policeman—talked about what it’s been like to balance both careers. “I like to challenge myself and do something different and movies are definitely where I feel most out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I’m coming from music where I don’t think anyone really knows how it works, but I am somewhat in my comfort zone! But in movies, when I show up, I’m the new guy. I haven’t been (an actor) for a long time and that’s really cool, I feel like I’ve learned so much and life is about learning.”
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He continued, “(With acting), you’re trying to remove a lot of yourself and key into someone else,” he explains. “On the most basic level, it’s like being a kid and you’re playing pretend. I am not a very confrontational person, I think I’m pretty chill, so then when you have a character who is like that, it’s fun to explore.” Though acting and music are different, Harry also told the magazine about how both passions have helped the other.“I think music and acting really aid each other in a lot of ways. In my experience, a lot of the time when I’ve gone to do a film I’ve felt like, ‘Oh, I’m probably not gonna do any music for a while because I’ll be so focused on that’. And then I actually find that, by the time I get home at the end of the day, I just write so much,” he said. “Any time you are looking at the world through someone else’s lens and exploring different emotions, it feels like a benefit in so many ways.”
But back to “As It Was.” So what do Harry Styles‘ “As It Was” lyrics mean? Read on for what we know about Harry Styles’ “As It Was” lyrics’ meaning and who the song could be about.
Image: Courtesy of Harry Styles/YouTube.
What are Harry Styles’ “As It Was” lyrics about?
What are Harry Styles’ “As It Was” lyrics about? Though Harry hasn’t confirmed the meaning of “As It Was,” fans believe the song is about his relationship with fame and how his life isn’t “the same as it was” since he’s entered the public eye. “In this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was,” he sings. The song also references Harry’s loneliness and concern from others as he isolates himself from the world.“Come on, Harry, we wanna say goodnight to you,” a voice says in the introduction of the song. “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?” Harry sings in the second verse of “As It Was.”
Harry revealed that the voice in the intro is his goddaughter, Ruby Winston, the daughter of filmmaker Ben Winston. “it’s my goddaughter at the start of the song,” he said in an interview on “Heart Breakfast” in 2022. “That streak of calling me every night before bed and I missed it once and she wanted to let me know that she was quite angry with me about it. And then I dug it up in the studio one day and added it to the start of the song, and it just kind of stuck. I loved it.”
Fans also believe the song includes a subtle reference to Harry’s relationship with Olivia Wilde, whom he started dating in January 2021 after he was cast as the lead in Wilde’s upcoming movie, Don’t Worry Darling. Their relationship came three months after Wilde’s breakup with her fiance, Jason Sudeikis, whom she shares two kids with: son Otis Sudeikis, 7, and daughter Daisy Josephine Sudeikis, 5. “Leave America, two kids follow her,” Harry sings in “As It Was.”
While Harry didn’t reveal the inspiration for “As It Was,” he did confirm the song is about his personal life. “I try and write from personal experience for almost everything,” he said. “So, I think over the last couple of years with the forced pause that happened for a long time for all of us, I think I had a lot of time to kind of think about work out who I was, away from music and get a little more comfortable with that. I think that allowed me to make this album from a very liberated place.”
A source told In Touch Weekly in March 2022, that there’s a “really good chance” that Harry has written a song “about how he feels” for Wilde on Harry’s House but the track won’t be a traditional love song.”Don’t expect it to be straightforward,”the insider said. “He likes to keep his personal life private. But then again, he is in love, so maybe, he’ll surprise us with a song that’s all about his feelings for Olivia.” The source continued, “Harry isn’t known for penning songs about his personal relationships, even though ‘Two Ghosts’ is thought to be about his ex Taylor Swift, but the buzz is that there is a love song relating to Olivia on his new album. He likes to write in a general way, about his experiences, dreams, whatever inspires him, but nothing that points directing to a specific individual. That may have changed.”
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Another source told In Touch that Olivia is “is giving this relationship all she can because she truly wants to make it work. “However, it is not easy.” The insider went onto reference Harry and Olivia’s busy schedules, which have made their relationship difficult. “Olivia and Harry are both working on projects, and Harry has a million things going on. He just wrapped his North American tour and will start on his European tour shortly, so he will be in Europe rehearsing and working on music,” the insider said. According to the source, Olivia “balances her schedule with her children’s, as she has joint custody with their father,” Jason. The insider continued, “It’s tough for Olivia because in her heart she wants to be with Harry all the time, but it’s just not possible.”The source also noted that Olivia “puts her kids first and Harry respects that.” The insider continued, “They love their alone time of course, but Harry really enjoys being with Otis and Daisy. Harry and Olivia have something special, and they know it.”
In an interview with Dazed in 2021, Harry declined to comment on his relationship with Olivia and told the magazine that he like to keep his romantic and professional lives separate.“I’ve always tried to compartmentalize my personal life and my working life,” he said. So what are Harry Styles’ “As It Was” lyrics?
Read the full lyrics to Harry Styles’ “As It Was” via Genius below.
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
FAQs
Are Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde together? ›
Wilde, meanwhile, is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her children by ex-fiance Jason Sudeikis, daughter Daisy, 6, and son Otis, 8. Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles have reportedly ended their relationship. Wilde and her children were spotted at Styles' Nov.
Is style song about Harry? ›The secret message behind the song: "Her heart belonged to someone who couldn't stay." Why it's about Harry Styles: The hit "1989" single, "Style," details a roller-coaster relationship, where the two people keep running around in circles, never really able to cut the ties for good.
What does Harry Styles song as it was sound like? ›Harry Styles “As It Was” sounds a lot like a-ha “Take on Me” - That Song Sounds Like.
Who wrote the song as it was? ›As It Was
Did Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde kiss? ›A day prior to the theater premiere for Don't Worry Darling on Thursday, the director and singer were seen sharing a kiss during an evening outing in New York City. In the sighting the two were kissing, and at one point Styles, 28, had his arms around Wilde as the pair walked through the street in the Big Apple.
Is Harry Styles religious? ›Styles believes in karma, and when Chelsea Handler asked if he believes in God, he stated that he considered himself to be "more spiritual than religious" and that it is "naïve to say nothing exists and there's nothing above us or more powerful than us."
Who is Harry's favorite singer? ›Harry's musical heroes are Elvis, Coldplay and The Beatles. He said of the Fab Four: "They are absolute icons and an inspiration."
What is the saddest song in Harry's house? ›Love Of My Life
The closing track of Harry's House, this song reflects on a past relationship where Harry realises, far too late, that the person in question was always the one for him.
What song did Harry Styles write for Ariana Grande? The track, titled 'Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart', appeared on Ariana's second album 'My Everything', just as her amazing career was kicking off. And it seems the American was a massive fan of Harry's writing skills, calling the single 'beautiful'.
How much money does a songwriter make per song? ›Physical Mechanical Royalties
Right now, the rate is 9.1 cents per song. This is the total mechanical royalty set by the Copyright Royalty Board, and is split among co-writers and publishers. Physical album sales aren't as big as they used to be, but can still be an important revenue stream.
Are Harry and Olivia still together? ›
"They're still very close friends." The couple first got together aftrer Wilde cast Styles as the (male) lead in Don't Worry Darling, alongside Florence Pugh.
Why is Harry Styles so famous? ›Styles', um, style has been likened to iconic musician David Bowie in terms of gender and genre fluidity. “NPR” describes him as “dressed in the finery of rock's legacies”. “GQ” called him “one of the best dressed men in the world” with “elegance and bold choices”.
Who was the first girl to kiss Harry? ›In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the latest in the megahit series based on J.K. Rowling's books, Harry comes of age and has his first on-screen kiss, with longtime crush Cho Chang, played by Katie Leung. It was a big moment for Harry - if not for Radcliffe.
How long did Harry and Olivia date for? ›Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde were together for nearly two years before calling it quits in November 2022. The news comes months after the controversy surrounding their movie Don't Worry Darling—and after they'd each spoken out somewhat publicly about their relationship.
Did Harry Styles and Olivia split? ›They're done! Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde called it quits after nearly two years of dating, J-14 confirmed on November 18, 2022. So, what happened between the international pop star and the Don't Worry Darling director? Keep reading to uncover why the ex-couple broke up and the details on their split.
Who was with BTS in Harry Styles? ›Nothing brings people together like Harry Styles — and that includes celebrities! Lizzo and members of BTS, who are all notable fans of the musician, were spotted hanging out at his recent tour stop in Los Angeles and the pics are so cute.
Is Harry fan of BTS? ›From One Direction to a Grammy Award-winning solo career, Harry Styles has a few celebrity fans and friends. Lizzo, BTS, and SZA even attended the “Watermelon Sugar” artist's concert in Los Angeles.
Is BTS a fan of Harry Potter? ›BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are fans of the Harry Potter franchise.
Who was the most successful in One Direction? ›For a little while, Zayn was the most successful member of One Direction, when looking at their solo careers, but now that honor goes to Harry Styles. After the boy band split, Styles tried something a little risky and began creating art that blends pop sensibilities with throwback sounds.
Who is more successful Justin Bieber or Harry Styles? ›Despite an estimated net worth of US $23 million, Harry Styles is way behind Justin Bieber who recently topped the Forbes' list of the Highest-Earning Celebrities Under 30. The Boyfriend singer has an estimated net worth of US $200 million.
Has Harry Styles ever had a Number 1? ›
The 28-year-old star is enjoying a rare feat: he has both the No. 1 song and the No. 1 movie in the country. His infectious pop hit "As It Was" is sitting pretty atop the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for a 15th week, while his movie Don't Worry Darling debuted this weekend at No.
Who is Harry Styles adopted by? ›Stevie Nicks called Styles her "love child."
In a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone, Nicks said, "He's Mick [Fleetwood]'s and my love child. When Harry came into our lives I said, 'Oh my God, this is the son I never had. ' So I adopted him."
Next to the right swallow is a cross over the letter “B,” which could stand for one or both of his grandfathers. Over each collarbone, Styles wears a date: 1957 on his right and 1967 on his right. The dates are the birth years of both Styles' parents.
Does Harry Styles have a Bible tattoo? ›Harry has a bunch of tattoos on his left arm, including a giant heart, a liquor bottle with the words, "you booze, you lose," a bible, and the letter A in honor of his mom Anne Twist.
Who is Harry's 2 best friend? ›Throughout his many years at Hogwarts, Harry faces numerous obstacles and perilous adventures besides his two best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ronald, better known as Ron Weasley, instantly bonds with Harry at the start of their Hogwarts career.
Who is Harry Styles Favourite band? ›Harry Styles' favourite music
He also loves 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' by Pink Floyd. Harry once said his ultimate 1D tour bus anthem is 'Lego House' by Ed Sheeran. 32 Harry's musical heroes are Elvis, Coldplay and The Beatles. He said of the Fab Four: "They are absolute icons and an inspiration."
He explored Nick's accomplishments as a musician and her influence on him as an artist in a concise induction speech. “She is forever current. She is forever Stevie.
What is Harry Styles least successful song? ›The commercial success of his debut album marked Styles' full arrival on the music scene with his GRAMMY-nominated album, "Fine Line." The least streamed track on his entire discography, "Treat People With Kindness," is shocking for most fans as the tile became one of Styles' recent mantras.
Did Harry's songs get leaked? ›Fans quickly discovered it wasn't just Harry's House that leaked, but additional unreleased songs from Styles' self-titled debut album, as well as One Direction demos from his early pop star days. Some fans theorized that the older songs were leaked to distract from Harry's House.
What is Harry's favorite song of his? ›“I would say 'Matilda' is probably a personal favorite,” Styles said. “I think maybe 'Little Freak' is a personal favorite as well, just because I think it was rare and made in a hotel room in Tokyo.”
Who has the most solos in one direction? ›
They found Harry had the most singles throughout their career, followed by Liam, then Zayn, and Niall and Louis very closely tied together. With each album break down, Harry also had the most solo parts in each of those, too, without exception.
Has Harry met Billie Eilish? ›Styles said that he and Eilish have met a few times, but he mostly admires her "from afar" because she "represented something to me." Because Eilish, 20, is eight years younger than Styles, 28, her rise to fame helped him let go of the pressure to be shiny and new, which Styles described as "unbelievably liberating."
Is Harry and Louis still friends? ›Despite the band having gone their separate ways in August 2015 to pursue solo careers, Harry and Louis have still stayed close. They may not hang out as much as they used to, but the singers will always be friends!
Do songwriters get paid every time their song is played? ›As we've mentioned earlier, in most markets, both songwriters and recording artists are typically paid royalties any time their music is played on the radio.
How much does a songwriter make on 1 million streams? ›Spotify pays between $0.001 and $0.008 per stream to artists. This means that if your song is streamed one million times on Spotify, you can expect to earn between $1,000 and $8,000.
Do artists get paid every time their song is played on Spotify? ›Contrary to what you might have heard, Spotify does not pay artist royalties according to a per-play or per-stream rate; the royalty payments that artists receive might vary according to differences in how their music is streamed or the agreements they have with labels or distributors.
Why did Harry and Olivia split? ›The source said that while they worked on Don't Worry Darling, it was easier for them to spend time together and sustain their “strong bond.” But after, the distance caused by their different family lives and careers (Wilde's in film and Styles' primarily in music with his ongoing tour) made it harder for them to keep ...
Are Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles still together 2022? ›The yentas at People magazine reported late Friday that Harry Styles, the English singer, actor, and style icon, and Olivia Wilde, actor, director, and nth generation member of the Cockburn Family, are no longer dating after nearly two years together.
What do they call Harry Styles fans? ›Harry Styles' fandom are called 'Stylers'.
Is Harry Styles the biggest pop star in the world? ›Harry Styles is without question the biggest pop star on the planet right now, as Harry's House smashes records — some questionable. The British pop star completes the chart double in at least 16 countries, as Harry's House and its lead track “As It Was” simultaneously lead the albums and singles charts.
Why does Harry Styles like to wear dresses? ›
2020: “I like playing dress-up in general”
During his interview, Styles said, “I think if you get something that you feel amazing in, it's like a superhero outfit.” The singer said that when you remove “barriers” between men's and women's clothing, it allows for more fun and creativity.
For anyone following the Taylor Swift and Harry Styles relationship timeline, their four-month whirlwind was extremely eventful and a lot of references to their relationship were present in "1989." Although it's widely speculated that "I Knew You Were Trouble" was written about Harry, the song was released as a single ...
What Harry Styles song is about Caroline Flack? ›The folded ribbon was interpreted by many as a tribute to the late TV presenter Caroline Flack, who was found dead on Saturday having taken her own life. Caroline and Harry were romantically linked in the past and formed a friendship having worked together on X Factor in 2010.
Are Taylor Swift and Harry Styles still friends? ›And since then, the pair appear to be on good terms. Last year, the friendly exes were spotted chatting at the 2021 Grammys and Taylor was one of the first people to stand up and applaud for Harry when he received his first award for Best Pop Solo Performance.
How long did Taylor and Harry date? ›January 2013: Harry Styles and Taylor Swift Break Up
After just a few short months of dating, Styles and Swift called it quits. Us Weekly reported that the breakup occurred while the two were vacationing together in the British Virgin Islands.
12/20 Harry Styles Was Only 18 Years Old When They Dated
While Taylor was in her 20s during her time with Harry, it may shock some fans to know that Harry was only 18 years old! However, the couple allegedly met for the first time after Harry's birthday, so he technically never knew the singer while he was underage.
They found Harry had the most singles throughout their career, followed by Liam, then Zayn, and Niall and Louis very closely tied together. With each album break down, Harry also had the most solo parts in each of those, too, without exception.
What songs did Ariana write Harry? ›What song did Harry Styles write for Ariana Grande? The track, titled 'Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart', appeared on Ariana's second album 'My Everything', just as her amazing career was kicking off. And it seems the American was a massive fan of Harry's writing skills, calling the single 'beautiful'.
When did Harry Styles date Taylor? ›2012-2013: Taylor Swift
Another swift romance for Harry. Styles dated Taylor Swift for a year. While their romance was short-lived, their relationship lives on forever in the songs each singer allegedly wrote about each other.
Tragic “Love Island” host Caroline Flack — who took her own life Saturday — once dated Britain's Prince Harry on the down-low, at least until the tabloids found out. “Once the story got out, that was it. We had to stop seeing each other,” the UK TV personality wrote in her 2014 memoir, “Storm in a C Cup.”
How did Harry Styles react to Caroline Flack? ›
Describing Caroline as 'gorgeous', Harry apparently showed his devotion with flirty texts and messages on Twitter . In August 2011 he told the official X Factor website: “If Caroline Flack is reading this, say 'Hi' from me. She is gorgeous!”
Did Caroline Flack date One Direction? ›Caroline Louise Flack (November 9, 1979 – February 15, 2020 ) was a British television and radio presenter. She rose to fame in England via her role as host on The Xtra Factor, where she would interview past and present X Factor contestants. She briefly dated Harry Styles in 2011.