harry styles’ "lights up" shines a light on sexuality and self-identity

By Jillian Cote

Over two years after the release of his debut solo album, Harry Styles’ new single “Lights Up” marks a new era for the singer. This much-anticipated return to the music scene on Oct. 11 couldn’t have happened on a more appropriate date: the release of the song, which explores sexual fluidity and identity, coincided with National Coming Out Day, a nod to Styles’s fervent support for LGBTQ+ rights as well as his own undefined sexuality. 

Following a strong melodramatic alt-rock album, an upbeat pop style weaves its way into “Lights Up” through synths and guitar. Styles is no stranger to the pop genre when looking at his contribution to One Direction. However, in “Lights Up”, he is able to stay connected to his individual rock persona and steer away from a conventional sound through the use of an acoustic guitar as well as background singers. The echo on the vocals provides another thread to his previous solo works while still experimenting with a breezy, cool sound, demonstrating growth and exploration with old and new sounds. 

The complex lyrics of “Lights Up” leave much up to interpretation, a challenge that has been taken up quickly by millions. “Lights up and they know who you are / Know who you are / Do you know who you are?” reads as an exploration into self-identity in relation to the opinions of others, expressing the frustration of finding an identity in a society that is set on confining people to labels. The lines “Shine, step into the light / Shine, so bright sometimes / Shine, I'm not ever going back” seems to answer the question posed in the previous lyrics, showing self-acceptance by stepping into the view of society with no hesitation. In the context of National Coming Out Day, these lines fit perfectly with the act of coming out and stepping “into the light” of acceptance and community. 

One of the biggest questions surrounding this new release is how this new sound will translate into the anticipated album. “Lights Up” may have been chosen as a way to appeal to the masses through a more widespread pop sound, whereas the rest of the album may hold true to a more rock-oriented style. Alternatively, the single could simply be a sneak peek into a completely new side of Styles’ music. The entirety of the album may very well be an experiment with multiple sounds in a collage of musical storytelling. In any event, “Lights Up” is a beautiful celebration of acceptance and self-discovery that sets up a high expectation for the following album.