Sunday, March 14 began as many of my days do; hitting the snooze button multiple times, jamming contact lenses into my corneas, and feeling exceptionally meh. Little did I know that a mere 12 hours later I would be blessed by the once-in-a-lifetime event that was Harry Styles’ performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Though he sang “Watermelon Sugar” (which is one of my least favorite tracks on Fine Line) Mr. Styles blessed our eyes with a green feather boa + black leather suit combo and our ears with a jazz rendition of the popular tune. Later in the evening, he received his first Grammy (Best Pop Solo Performance) because of “Watermelon Sugar” and looked wholesome as ever in a purple feather boa during his acceptance speech. New fans of Harry Styles only know this version of him; a successful solo artist with a flair for bold fashion choices and songs which are not-so-subtly about performing oral sex. Though I obviously love and appreciate present-day Harry, I met him as a doe-eyed teenager back in 2011, when he was a member of One Direction.
I distinctly remember watching the “What Makes You Beautiful” music video for the first time in sixth grade. I was beginning to develop crushes on boys and couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the British angels that graced the monitor of my parent’s clunky office computer. Though all of the boys were gorgeous, Harry Styles was my favorite member of the band by far. I don’t remember whether it was the plaid shirt + khaki pant combo or his iconic swishy hair, but I was, without a doubt, in love with him.
My parents were under the impression that I’d outgrow One Direction and Harry Styles just as I did Justin Bieber. Nope! After One Direction split and Harry formally began his solo career with the release of his self-titled album, my admiration for him and his work only grew. Hell, I sat through an entire war movie (Dunkirk) because he played a minor role in it. I can confidently say that his second album, Fine Line, is one of my all-time favorites….for now. At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Stevie Nicks (of Fleetwood Mac fame, for those of you living under a rock) called the album his version of Rumors on Twitter.
Speaking of his albums, I think it important to include how I rank the songs on each of them. Listed from my favorite track to my least favorite, we’ll begin with Harry Styles, which was released in May 2017.
Harry Styles:
- “Only Angel”
- “Woman”
- “Ever Since New York”
- “Meet Me in the Hallway”
- “From the Dining Table”
- “Kiwi”
- “Carolina”
- “Two Ghosts”
- “Sign of the Times”
- “Sweet Creature”
It physically pained me to rank the tracks on Fine Line, but I had to give the people what they want. This album was released in December 2019 and is a legitimate masterpiece.
Fine Line:
- “To Be So Lonely”
- “She”
- “Falling”
- “Golden”
- “Sunflower, Vol. 6”
- “Cherry”
- “Fine Line”
- “Adore You”
- “Canyon Moon’
- “Watermelon Sugar”
- “Treat People With Kindness
- “Lights Up”
Harry Styles has accomplished a lot since his One Direction days, both musically and otherwise. With a number of upcoming film projects, including starring in Don’t Worry Darling alongside Florence Pugh and My Policeman with Emma Corrin, it’s safe to assume that Harry is enjoying acting as another form of artistic expression.
With all of my blatant thirstiness aside, Harry Styles’ music has gotten me through a number of difficult times. “From the Dining Table” and “Falling” have become my temporary anthems as I navigate a breakup and I can always count on “Only Angel” and “Golden” to get me out of my bag. Though we’re all anxiously awaiting the release of his third studio album, I doubt that we’ll hear it any time soon- our King is booked and busy! Regardless, I’ll listen to that thing three times through the minute it comes out. Because folks…my Harry Styles “phase” will never end.
