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the recurring symbols & motifs in harry styles’ song lyrics — a thread
there a several images and ideas that harry has included in his songs over and over, which make his lyrics so beautiful and more deeply meaningful. this thread compiles some of my favourites...
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harry’s symbol for a pure and true kind of love, whether romantic or familial. this extends to domestic imagery too, particularly kitchens.
harry’s symbol for a pure and true kind of love, whether romantic or familial. this extends to domestic imagery too, particularly kitchens.
phones:
harry brings up phonecalls when he sings about breakups, especially when he feels distant from his ex-lover. with this symbol, he turns the emotional distance into a literal physical distance that emphasises his pain and longing.
harry brings up phonecalls when he sings about breakups, especially when he feels distant from his ex-lover. with this symbol, he turns the emotional distance into a literal physical distance that emphasises his pain and longing.
empty beds:
sharing a bed is a symbol of closeness, but harry specifically sings about waking up and being in bed alone, which becomes a more powerful image to illustrate that he’s missing someone deeply. in fine line, sleep itself can be a place of suffering.
sharing a bed is a symbol of closeness, but harry specifically sings about waking up and being in bed alone, which becomes a more powerful image to illustrate that he’s missing someone deeply. in fine line, sleep itself can be a place of suffering.
fire:
a symbol of passion, which harry carries from the lyrical reference in adore you to the sound of a match being blown out in tbsl to indicate the beginning and ending of a relationship; initial infatuation & closure.
a symbol of passion, which harry carries from the lyrical reference in adore you to the sound of a match being blown out in tbsl to indicate the beginning and ending of a relationship; initial infatuation & closure.
sun:
a distant but idolised lover. the personification of the sun bookends the fine line album as it appears in both golden and fine line, symbolising the person he has sung about throughout the album with great awe and admiration but remains out of his reach.
a distant but idolised lover. the personification of the sun bookends the fine line album as it appears in both golden and fine line, symbolising the person he has sung about throughout the album with great awe and admiration but remains out of his reach.
the distant lover:
this is the main connecting motif through the songs of fine line. harry portrays this archetype in various ways: emotionally distant and reserved in adore you & cherry, separated from reality in she, or in a completely different location in canyon moon.
this is the main connecting motif through the songs of fine line. harry portrays this archetype in various ways: emotionally distant and reserved in adore you & cherry, separated from reality in she, or in a completely different location in canyon moon.
fashion:
harry uses clothing as a symbol of identity and love combined. in ftdt, he feels like his ex lover has replaced him with another man; in cherry, his identity is still profoundly affected by his love for a different ex.
harry uses clothing as a symbol of identity and love combined. in ftdt, he feels like his ex lover has replaced him with another man; in cherry, his identity is still profoundly affected by his love for a different ex.
the floor:
an image he uses when desperate and begging for his lover to be with him. with the religious connotations of ‘angel’ and the prayer-like repetition in mmith, it also takes on a kind of worship & devotion symbolism.
an image he uses when desperate and begging for his lover to be with him. with the religious connotations of ‘angel’ and the prayer-like repetition in mmith, it also takes on a kind of worship & devotion symbolism.
“tongue-tied”:
harry uses this phrase, and the concept of a general inability to talk & communicate, as a motif marking the breakdown of the relationships he sings about.
harry uses this phrase, and the concept of a general inability to talk & communicate, as a motif marking the breakdown of the relationships he sings about.
the replacement:
a lot of harry’s songs deal with the emotions during and after a breakup. his most negative emotions — jealousy & bitterness — are directed not to his ex but to the man that replaces him.
a lot of harry’s songs deal with the emotions during and after a breakup. his most negative emotions — jealousy & bitterness — are directed not to his ex but to the man that replaces him.
doors:
an immovable obstacle that prevents access to heaven: whether literal, as in sott, or metaphorical, as in only angel (angels, of course, typically reside in heaven).
an immovable obstacle that prevents access to heaven: whether literal, as in sott, or metaphorical, as in only angel (angels, of course, typically reside in heaven).
end of thread <3 this isn’t every single symbol or motif that harry has used ever, but these are the ones i notice a lot personally. hope u enjoyed or found this interesting!!
if u liked this thread, maybe have a look at my others all organised on this carrd !! http://hrrythreads.carrd.co
