The track’s release coincided with National Coming Out Day. It was accompanied by a music video, which features Harry surrounded by scantily-clad men and women. Styles was relatively tight-lipped about the track leading up to its debut, only posting the artwork on Instagram hours before the drop; his first post in over a year.
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
@Imalostboy
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
I'm 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
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 (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
Runnin' through my heart
Lights up and they know who you are
Know who you are
Do you know who you are?
@angelw824
can we just take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous Harry's smile is
@michellereanne6085
angel w fr it isnt fair
@nobleinfantry8748
Made it500
@malindarampersad5731
i was ur 1000 like
@jayloo6759
And the hair on this face
@imaggienative
oh hello limelight 😎
@renatarage9125
sir, it’s illegal to be this hot.
@_its_jayla_jam1733
Ikr
@manuelah.5722
damn right
@hollywoodsfuckingdead2446
Renata Rage but he is to hot to go to jail so...