Harry Styles’s third album Harry’s House was released on Friday, and we’ve spent the entire weekend with it on repeat. It feels so strange to say that this is Harry’s third album because it feels like Fine Line was just released. But that was already almost three years ago, and with us spending so much of the last two years dealing with the pandemic, time sort of went by in a blur. With that being said, we are so happy and excited to have new Harry Styles music to listen to.
Like so many musical artists, during the pandemic, Harry Styles spent a great deal of time working on new music. It was, after all, a time that forced each and every one of us to do a lot of self-reflection. During an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Harry spoke about the inspiration for Harry’s House. First, the album title came to him while he was in Japan and listening to Haruomi Hosono’s 1973 album Hosono House, hence the title Harry’s House.
Knowing that Harry took inspiration from an album that was done in the 1970s doesn’t surprise us because Harry’s House definitely has a 70s vibe throughout. And just what does it sound like to be in Harry’s house? Well, while speaking to Zane Lowe, he had this to say: “Imagine it’s a day in my house. What do I go through? A day in my mind? What do I go through?” Harry has said repeatedly that this is one of his favorite albums he’s made, and we can understand why. It is such an intimate masterpiece that gives us a true glimpse into his mind.
Not that Harry’s previous albums haven’t done that before, it’s just that Harry’s House feels different. It feels almost like we are sitting in his house. There is a vulnerability like never before, and he’s showcasing emotions in an entirely new way that is so raw and real. We are in love with Harry’s House and are ready to move in. This is the album we all needed. And now, we have the difficult task of breaking it down and ranking each of the tracks. Trust us, this was not easy.
13. “Music For A Sushi Restaurant”
Why We Love It: This funky track is a great way to open Harry’s House because it sets the tone for the type of musical journey we’re about to experience. Only Harry could mix in lyrics about fried rice and green tea with falling in love. Also, we love the ending fade out that sounds like a late night in a restaurant when you’re one of the only people still inside.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
If the stars were edible
And our hearts were never full
Could we live with just a taste?
12. “Grapejuice”
Why We Love It: Harry has a way of taking lyrics that can feel simple to others. But when you really listen to just what’s being said, you can catch the deeper meaning. With “Grapejuice,” it may sound like Harry is only talking about wine. However, it’s clear he’s talking about love and the experience of needing someone to get him through the tough times in his life.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Sittin’ in the garden, I’m a couple glasses in
I was tryna count up all the places we’vе been
You’re always there, so don’t ovеrthink
11. “Keep Driving”
Why We Love It: Talk about an escape track. “Keep Driving” is such a mood. It’s one of those songs that we can all relate to. Harry talks about having things like a simple pancake breakfas,t and we could not love this anymore than we already do. We don’t know a person who hasn’t just wanted to keep driving to forget all of the drama and darkness in the world.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
A small concern with how the engine sounds
We held darkness in withheld clouds
I would ask, “Should we just keep driving?“
Maple syrup, coffee
Pancakes for two
Hash brown, egg yolk
I will always love you
10. “As It Was”
Why We Love It: You already know we’ve been in love with this song since Harry released the music video for it back in March. And our feelings haven’t changed. Though the music is upbeat, Harry still manages to throw in a ton of emotion that pulls on our heartstrings.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
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
9. “Daylight”
Why We Love It: While on Howard Stern’s show, Harry said that “Daylight” was written in a “stream of consciousness” and is a song about being infatuated with someone. We get that, and the tone of the song really does feel like being in daylight. It feels like a song you could listen to as the sun is coming up to start a new day. We could imagine listening to this song while taking an early morning stroll.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
If I was a bluebird, I would fly to you
You’d be the spoon
Dip you in honey so I could be sticking to you
8. “Little Freak”
Why We Love It: This song was one that’s actually unexpected because the title makes you think it’s going to be another upbeat funky track. That’s not the case. Harry always surprises us. “Little Freak” is a soft and slow melodic track that seems to showcase Harry speaking about a relationship that could have been. He knows the person he’s thinking about has found someone, and that’s fine. But like a lot of people who have been in a similar situation, he just thinks about how they’re doing.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
I disrespected you
Jumped in feet first and I landed too hard
A broken ankle, karma rules
You never saw my birthmark
I was thinkin’ about who you are
Your delicate point of view
I was thinkin’ about you
I’m not worried about where you are
Or who you will go home to
I’m just thinkin’ about you
7. “Love Of My Life”
Why We Love It: We are so in love with this track because it’s Harry’s love letter to his home of England. It is an intimate song, where he breaks down what it feels like to constantly be so far away. The song sounds like he’s singing about a significant other, but his home is where his heart will always be no matter where he goes.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
I don’t know you half as well as all my friends
I won’t pretend that I’ve been doin’ everything I can
To get to know your creases and your ends
Are they the same?
Baby, you were the love of my life
Woah, maybe you don’t know it’s lost ’til you find it
It’s not what I wanted, to leave you behind
Don’t know where you’ll land when you fly
6. “Boyfriends”
Why We Love It: Do we love this song? Absolutely. It’s a reminder that, as Harry put it, “men are trash.” Now, we know all men are not trash, okay? But the ones that are, this song is dedicated to all of them.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Boyfriends, they think you’re so easy
They take you for granted
They don’t know, they’re just misunderstanding
5. “Satellite”
Why We Love It: This track is kicking off our top five songs on Harry’s House because we’re obsessed with it. We’re obsessed with the spacey feel of it and the lyrics about wanting someone to realize that love is staring them right in the face, just waiting to be taken ahold of. We already know this song is going to be popular on tour, and we can’t wait to hear Harry sing it live.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Spinnin’ out, waitin’ for ya to pull me in
I can see you’re lonely down there
Don’t you know that I am right here?
4. “Cinema”
Why We Love It: Harry definitely ain’t talking about going to the movies in this sexy track with some NSFW lyrics, but we love it. It’s a much sexier track than we’ve ever gotten from Harry. Yes, we know what “Watermelon Sugar” is about, but there are no subtle or sneaky lyrics in “Cinema.” Harry is telling us point blank how he feels. This song is about discovering your feelings in a new relationship and wondering how your partner also feels. “Cinema” has a very R&B quality, with the soulful bass line and smooth soft vocals from Harry and we dig it.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
I just think you’re cool
I dig your cinema
Do you think I’m cool too?
Or am I too into you?
3. “Matilda”
Why We Love It: Harry said it’s sad hours with this track, inspired by the Roald Dahl novel of the same name. In “Matilda,” Harry sings about a girl who grew up in a family where she felt unloved, and that trauma has followed her into her later years. He encourages her that it’s okay to leave and forge her own path, and she doesn’t have to include those people that never loved her. It’s a heartbreaking song, and it brings us to tears every time we hear it.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
You can let it go
You can throw a party full of everyone you know
And not invite your family ’cause they never showed you love
You don’t have to be sorry for leavin’ and growin’ up
You can see the world, following the seasons
Anywhere you go, you don’t need a reason
‘Cause they never showed you love
You don’t have to be sorry for doin’ it on your own
2. “Late Night Talking”
Why We Love It: Who doesn’t love a good late-night talk with someone you love? That’s just what this upbeat track is about. It’s got a funky beat and perfectly showcases the feeling of being so in love you wish you could be with the person all the time.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
We’ve been doin’ all this late night talkin’
‘Bout anything you want until thе mornin’
Now you’re in my life
I can’t get you off my mind
1. “Daydreaming”
Why We Love It: This is just such a good song. It’s soulful, and it truly encapsulates the 70s vibe 100%. In “Daydreaming,” Harry talks about having to be away from the person he loves and wanting something to remember them by while he’s gone. It’s fun — and a little sexy, too. We also love that he sampled “Ain’t We Funkin’ Now,” performed by The Brothers Johnson and written in part by Quincy Jones. It’s a track that will stay stuck in your head once the song has ended.
Lyrics That Hit Us:
Stay until the morning
‘Cause, baby, lovin’ you’s the real thing
It just feels right
When you give me all of your love, give me somethin’ to dream about
So, there you have it. It was tough, but we ranked our favorite tracks on Harry’s House. Now to go back and listen all over again.
What do you think about Harry’s House? What are some of your favorite tracks, and how would you rank them?
