Months later, Styles signed a solo deal with Columbia Records. Reflecting the influence of childhood favorites like Queen, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Freddy Mercury, and The Beatles, Styles' solo material took a more serious and rock-based approach, while still delivering the pop sound his faithful 1D fans desired. With the help of Grammy-winning producer Jeff Bhasker (who had worked with Kanye West and Bruno Mars), Styles put together a small band and, after rehearsing the songs, headed to Jamaica for two months to record an album. "Sign of the Times," a plaintive ballad, was released as its first single in April 2017. The self-titled full-length followed in May and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. After two world tours, Harry set to write his sophomore album Fine Line, releasing the hit songs "Lights Up", "Watermelon Sugar" and "Adore You" as the singles.
Fine Line was released on 13 December 2019 by Columbia and Erskine Records. On March 14, 2021, Harry received the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for "Watermelon Sugar" at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. He was also nominated for Best Music Video with "Adore You" and for Best Pop Vocal Album for his "Fine Line" album. In May of the same year, Styles also won the Brit Award for British Single for "Watermelon Sugar". On May 20, 2022, Styles released his third studio album, titled Harry’s House. Its promotional single “As It Was” went on to break world records and earn Styles the title (male) for the most-streamed track on Spotify in 24 hours.
Lights Up
Harry Styles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
I'm sorry by the way
Never coming back down
Can't you see?
I could, but wouldn't stay
Wouldn't put it like that
What do you mean?
I'm sorry by the way
Never coming around
Be so sweet if things just stayed the same
(La-da-da-da-da)
All the lights couldn't put out the dark
Runnin' through my heart
Lights up and they know who you are
Know who you are
Do you know who you are?
(Shine) step into the light
(Shine) so bright sometimes
(Shine) I'm not ever going back
(Shine) step into the light
(Shine) so bright sometimes
(Shine) I'm not ever going back
(Shine) step into the light
(Shine) so bright sometimes
(Shine) I'm not ever (ooh)
What do you mean?
I'm sorry by the way
Never going back now
Be so sweet if things just stayed the same
(La-da-da-da-da)
(La-da-da-da-da)
(La-da-da-da-da) (oh)
(La-da-da-da-da) (oh)
(La-da-da-da-da) (oh)
All the lights couldn't put out the dark
Runnin' through my heart
Lights up and they know who you are
Know who you are
Do you know who you are?
The lyrics of Harry Styles’s “Lights Up” are open to interpretation. However, we sense an underlying message of self-realization and acceptance. Early on in the song, he apologizes cryptically and tells listeners he’s never coming down, nor coming around again. A self-actualized person typically won’t apologize for being who they are, which suggests Harry is communicating to someone else. He goes on to say he could stay, but not like that, leading listeners to believe staying true to himself is a priority rather than conforming for others. He then repeats the phrase, “what do you mean” and “never going back,” affirming his commitment to living life his way.
In the chorus, he addresses the notion that darkness won’t disappear, but this doesn’t suggest he’s lost. Instead, Harry emphasizes how powerful light is when it enters his heart. He acknowledges people know who he is, but this prompts the question “do you know who you are?” This may be a call for others to reflect on their own self-discovery. The pre-chorus then repeats twice more, and Styles concludes with a change in lyrics with the phrase “shine,” inviting himself and others into a brighter future of self-love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you mean?
Asking for clarification on a previous statement
I'm sorry by the way
Apologizing for something previously done or said
Never coming back down
Refusing to be brought down by negative influences
Can't you see?
Asking someone to open their eyes to the situation
I could, but wouldn't stay
Acknowledging the possibility of staying, but ultimately choosing to leave
Wouldn't put it like that
Disagreeing with a previous statement or perception
Be so sweet if things just stayed the same
Expressing a desire for things to remain constant or unchanging
(La-da-da-da-da)
Instrumental break or filler lyrics
All the lights couldn't put out the dark
Despite having many positive influences, the negative still remains
Runnin' through my heart
Describing the overwhelming feeling of the negative influence
Lights up and they know who you are
Being recognized and celebrated for being oneself
Know who you are
Encouraging self-awareness and self-acceptance
Do you know who you are?
Questioning and encouraging self-reflection
(Shine) step into the light
Urging someone to step into the spotlight or reveal their true self
(Shine) so bright sometimes
Acknowledging the occasional brilliance of someone's true self
(Shine) I'm not ever going back
Committing to not returning to a previous state or mindset
(ooh)
Instrumental break or filler lyrics
(La-da-da-da-da)
Instrumental break or filler lyrics
(oh)
Instrumental break or filler lyrics
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Harry Edward Styles, Thomas Edward Percy Hull, Tyler Sam Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abigail Caceres
LETRA
What do you mean?
I'm sorry by the way
Never coming back down
Can't you see?
I could, but wouldn't stay
Wouldn't put it like that
What do you mean?
I'm sorry by the way
Never coming around
It'd be so sweet if things just stayed the same
La-da-da-da-da
All the lights couldn't put out the dark
Running through my heart
Lights up and they know who you are
Know who you are
Do you know who you are? (Oh)
Shine
Step into the light
Shine
So bright sometimes
Shine
I'm not ever going back
Shine
Step into the light
Shine
So bright sometimes
Shine
I'm not ever going back
Shine
Step into the light
Shine
So bright sometimes
Shine
I'm not ever (Oh)
What do you mean?
I'm sorry by the way
Never going back now
It'd be so sweet if things just stayed the same
La-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da (Oh)
La-da-da-da-da (Oh)
La-da-da-da-da (Oh)
All the lights couldn't put out the dark
Running through my heart
Lights up and they know who you are
Know who you are
Do you know who you are?
Hanna Elsen
It makes me so unbelievably happy to see Harry smile like this and to see him feeling comfortable in his own skin, with the way he dresses, his sexuality, his music. I think there's nothing more beautiful than someone being happy with who they are and that is the reason why this is one of my favourite songs and music videos ever.
Jolan Klijnjan
You do know he is under influence by mushrooms in this video right?
summer
Jolan Klijnjan he doesn’t get intoxicated while he’s working and people who were there said he sober, or at least inferred that.
Cian brown
@camlee no he doesnt like putting a label on his sexuality but he has also previously confirmed he is not straight either. he support the LGBTQ+ community a lot. it is none of our business. we should like him for who is not his sexual preferences.
Cian brown
yes aggreed
Nika
THIS IS NOT JUST A SONG THIS IS FEELING
Rosé🌹BELLE🥀
I feel the same ;) ♡♡♡
María Eduarda Hurel
i like this song because is a feeling. this song feels like a song. i love it
Brian Lee
Yes it sure if feeling
Balboa aa
@María Eduarda Hurel is like the feeling of being treated with love or being caressed with such a romantic feeling, this song is the feeling, and that’s why I’m obsessed with it