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I love both the lyrics and video for this song. I wrote another post awhile back about the music video, breaking down all the nonverbal elements and what I thought Harry was trying to convey, but I’d like to talk about the lyrics as well. I've thought about this a lot, and I’m not sure I can even put my thoughts into words adequately, but I’m going to try. I’ve read others' interpretations long ago, so if I repeat anything, sorry, but I agree with you. I promise these are my original thoughts, though, especially since analyzing the video. Also, sorry this is this late, but better late than never…
The lyrics are repetitive and convey a need to get away from a situation or person, but also emphasize the need to do it together. It’s an important distinction. It could have been more of just a song to complain, but the emphasis on togetherness makes it a call to action. It’s a plea for things to change, but it’s a plea for help.
In the video, there is ground(ed) Harry versus the Harry in the air. The Harry in the air at times seems in control, and at others seems helpless to the wind(s of change). There are allusions to being a puppet pulled by strings. The Harry on the ground is upset by the visions of puppet Harry and uplifted by visions of in-control Harry. There are illusions to the closet in the rainbow in-control Harry seems to create as well as the repeated elements of dichotomy throughout the video, with ground- versus air-Harry, happy versus sad/frustrated Harry, the land versus water, blurry versus clear, close-up versus far shots, valley versus peak, control versus chaos.
The lyrics have this dichotomy as well. The feelings of determination versus hopelessness, calm versus anger, acknowledgement/understanding versus confusion/incredulity, specificity versus generalization. I could give examples, but I think I’d quote the entire song.
I think the overall meaning of the song is dichotomous as well. It’s a call-out against the closet, both specifically for Harry and Louis, but also in general. You can see it in the use of “your bullets” in the lyrics as well as the rainbow and puppetry imagery as previously discussed. It’s a pretty clear rant against and to everyone who made him pretend not to be himself, especially when he looks directly into the camera in disgust.
More than that, though, it’s a plea for peace and love. It’s a frustrated rant against prejudice and discord and a proclamation that things could be so much better if we would all just talk to each other and actually listen. It’s a despaired acknowledgement that it is what it is- the world is a confusing cruel place, but a stubborn prayer that things could change, because we are all human. It’s Harry using his life and his experiences to try to change the world. He’s putting himself on the line as an example of a person who is not in a socially acceptable relationship, a person who does not have a socially acceptable sexuality, a person who has been persecuted for both, and proclaiming that it’s wrong. “We’ve gotta get away from here”- away from the attitude that it’s ever okay to treat anyone so inhumanely, away from the attitude that love should ever be something to hide, away from the hatred towards each other…away from the passive hopelessness that we all exhibit towards the cruel ways of the world. It’s Harry’s world peace anthem, and it is epic and inspiring and so underrated. I’m so fucking proud, and I love you Harry.
Forgot I was going to post the answers...so here ya go with some (more) character descriptions as reasons why I chose each (obviously I recommend reading all these books, but sorry got a bit spoiler-y here- you’ve been warned):
AEJA: Anne Elliot by Jane Austen (Persuasion) (Harry) - hopeless romantic, patient yet internally rolling eyes at the drama while being melodramatic sometimes herself, mind is a bit of an angst fest but for good reason, unwilling to settle for just anyone, got separated from the love of her life at a young age thanks to listening to someone older’s bad advice but can’t totally regret it, has to watch the love of her life with someone else but it’s not real love, humble, thankful for everything she has, selfless, willing to throw everything away for love, gets her man in the end and she always really had him
OTDK: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz (Odd Thomas series) (Louis) - hopeless romantic, pretty much literally goes through hell so he can end up with his soulmate, didn’t choose to be a leader but born for it, sarcasm and humor as survival techniques, humble, thankful for everything he has, selfless, just wants to keep his head down but can’t, chased by demons that most can’t see, helped by secret army that comes out the woodwork, devious when he needs to be, semi-secretly extremely talented, uses power for greater good, evil hunting him for inexplicable reasons, survivor
JVVH: Jean Valjean by Victor Hugo (Les Miserables) (Liam) - really complicated history, maybe used to be an ass but got over it pretty quickly thanks to others, unfairly judged for past mistakes and things he didn’t even do, surprisingly vast network/variety of friends, isn’t quite what he seems, secretly heroic, seems intimidating as hell but is really sweet underneath, uses power for greater good, devious when he needs to be, survivor
RBLMM: Rilla Blythe by L. M. Montgomery (Rilla of Ingleside) (Niall) - everyone thinks she’s frivolous and kinda untouched by life, life of the party, just wants to dance and have fun, ends up having life thrown at her anyways and is stronger than anyone realizes, more responsible and knowledgeable than you’d think, loyal, resourceful, makes friends with anyone and everyone, matchmaker, lover of love and hater of evil and does her best to make things better, gets overwhelmed easily but bounces back quickly too
PPYM: Pi Patel by Yann Martel (Life of Pi) (Zayn) - gets thrown out to sea and separated from his family, surrounded by very questionable characters, really hard to tell which narrative is the truth but either way it’s sad, attached to someone who could easily end him out of necessity, perseveres out of stubbornness and faith, many assume he’s lying and/or mentally ill, bit pessimistic but for good reason, resourceful, survivor
ACSC: Alma Coin by Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay) (Syco/TPTB/Simon Cowell) - powerful, lies as easily as breathing, really good at deceiving the public, manipulates good young people to gain more power, innocent public face, exposed to the ones she manipulates, exposed as evil in the end, probably gets off easy in the end, pure evil
Thanks to everyone who played and reblogged, especially to @sometimesambroswrites, who won first prize and who just reminded me to donate to Liam’s birthday charity and has an adorable crocheted bear to auction off if you donate! Check out @sometimesambroswrites blog for details! #1dfansgiveliam #1dfansgivecrochet #1dfansgive
Since I wasn’t able to donate songs, I’d like to figure something else out beyond the various birthday drives, so please let me know if you have suggestions! Thanks!
Harry Styles' self-titled debut album featuring "Sign of the Times" will be released on May 12th. Pre-order now: http://hstyles.co.uk/music iTunes: http://sm...
OK so I did a thing...and it took me forever but I’m glad I took the time and I think y’all might want to read it. SOTT music video analysis under the cut...
I present this with full acknowledgement of my Larrie goggles and biases from reading others’ lyrics and music video interpretations…that said…bravo Harry/everyone involved in this…I got the general concept watching it on a bigger screen after being rather confused watching it on my phone a couple times…but got inspired to do in-depth analysis like this…and only more inspired the further I dove into this…draw what you see.
Ok, so bold for lyrics as I heard them; italics for scenes/actions during lyrics; starred italics (***) =my interpretations. GH= ground Harry; FH=flying Harry. Some lyrics I split up due to scene blocking/ease of reading this mess.
Last note/disclaimer: I am not trained/schooled whatsoever in media/music but I am generally good at picking up subtext and symbolism, so I gave this a shot. I’m sure I still missed details/made errors, but I tried my best to be thorough. I went for brevity in my analysis as to not make this longer than it already is, but would be happy to further explain any of my observations. I regret nothing and welcome thoughtful, kind discussions whether you agree with me or not!
(GH back to camera full length shot walking in field) (GH pan down to legs) (GH crosses feet while walking) (GH facing forward shot chest down arms out) (GH pan down to right arm steady hand) (GH blurry left profile tight shot of face)
Just stop your crying (GH slight left profile shoulders up walking in field) (GH walking hands on hips facing slightly away from camera)
It’s a sign of the times (GH clear full shot on left walking in field away from camera hands in pockets)
Welcome to the final show... (GH back of feet walking)
Hope you’re wearing your best clothes (GH left face singing) (GH pan from feet to full shot looking off to distance to right then GH turning a step to left)
You can't bribe the door on your way to the sky (GH turns and keeps walking; shot of back of feet only) (lifts up two beats in air just off ground)
You look pretty good down here (tip toes up two steps then back to ground)
But you ain't really good (GH facing right to camera tight shot pan to eyes then mouth)
***Steady path forward without regard to camera; focus on right hand; slight concern for camera; steps up then down/unstable footing- path no longer stable/knocked off feet; focus on eyes and mouth- see what you’re (not) saying
We never learn, (GH tight shot of face looking down then pan down to trembling right palm-down hand)
we been here before (GH tight shot right hand trembling)
Why are we always stuck and running from (GH tight shot of hand then pan back up chest to left side of face looking upward singing)
The bullet, (GH tight shot of left side of face looking to sky)
the bullet? (GH continued tight shot of left side of face pan out to shoulders; walking forward in field; looks down at feet)
We never learn, we been here before (GH slow pan of face clockwise back of neck to front of face keeps eye contact with camera)
Why are we always stuck and running from (continued GH slow pan of face clockwise keeping eye contact)
Your bullet, (GH blurry to clear tight shot of face with eye contact then look down/away to left)
your bullet? (GH shot of trembling right palm clear to blurry)
***keeping eyes on you; clear disgust/disdain directed at camera but fear present with trembling hands; palm to camera- defensive/defense unclear or unknown
(GH tight shot of shoes from behind stepping up onto rock then lifted into air)
Just stop your crying (FH liftoff from rock and flying low legs down back to camera)
It’s a sign of the times (FH floating upright low over field back to camera right full profile)
We gotta get away from here (FH flying, facing camera looking down with face scrunched up)
We gotta get away from here (FH flying low leaving land to go over water facing forward right side full length profile)
Just stop your crying (GH blurry zoom from left torso to close up clear face shot singing)
It’ll be alright (GH close up clear face shot to blurry zoom out singing)
They told me that the end is near (FH looking at trembling hands held up to sides arms bent up at elbow) (FH floating and spinning to right)
We gotta get away from here (FH flying up over mountain edge spinning counterclockwise with arms bent up at elbows and out and legs dangling)
***Uncertainty knowing how to fly/act/reach goal; blurred to clear to blurred face- two-faced/unknown; spinning out of control; puppet on a string; forced to surrender
Just stop your crying (overhead of forest)
Have the time of your life (FH floating in place arms up bent at elbows right full length profile then facing camera over forest)
Breaking through the atmosphere (pan out of FH floating up over tree-covered mountains facing camera)
And things are pretty good from here (GH tight slight overhead shot of face looking up to right)
Remember everything will be alright (FH right profile floating behind/just above treeline arms and feet down)
We can meet again somewhere (GH standing facing off to right with flying birds/beach behind, then turns left and away from camera)
Somewhere far away from here (GH looks to skyline and birds then down at feet)
***Trying to see the forest through the trees; looking to others to figure out how to fly/be free/accomplish goal; facing away from camera- hiding goal
We never learn, (far shot of FH floating backwards spinning above treeline facing camera blue-grey sky)
we been here before (continued far shot of FH rotating counterclockwise away from camera with cloudy grey skies over water)
Why are we always stuck and running from (slow pan in of FH rotating counterclockwise away from camera with cloudy grey skies over water)
The bullets, (slow pan in of FH facing away from camera floating in place in cloudy grey skies over water, flailing limbs slightly)
the bullets? (GH clear to blurry shot of right side of face)
We never learn, (GH gathering coat closer full length facing camera)
we been here before (GH gathering collar up around neck up to sides of mouth singing)
Why are we always stuck and running from (FH right profile floating arms out) (GH posture hunched looking down right side full length profile walking away from camera)
The bullets, (floating backwards and upwards over water facing camera smiling elbows bent up legs kicking backward)
the bullets? (FH floating backwards over water moving like moonwalk, laughing)
***Hiding mouth/keeping secrets; continued confusion/loss of control; facing problems; moving backwards/laughter/silliness- ridiculousness/impossibility of situation (possible ht to Michael Jackson’s pr disaster) and/or putting on an act/continued puppet dance
(far shot of FH flying forwards low over water back to camera)
Just stop your crying (FH running left profile over water surface)
It’s a sign of the times (GH right side profile waist up shot singing)
We gotta get away from here (FH suspended over water with waves and rainbow moving center to right out of frame) (closer shot of FH suspended over waves facing forward then looking left to camera)
We gotta get away from here (FH flying low over water facing camera)
Just stop your crying (GH blurry shot of face shoulders up panning to face)
Baby it’ll be alright (GH slow pan closer blurry to clear tight shot on face)
They told me that the end is near (GH tight shot on ground left side of frame)
We gotta get away from here (GH tight shot of face on right side of frame) (FH floating down on back head to camera) (FH floating on front head to shoulders in frame feet to camera)
***Running over water/rainbow- accomplishing impossible goals/pride/reference to closet; making waves- causing problems/creating attention; blurry to clear change-up on face- two-faced/true image unclear; clear shot back and forth across frame- trying to get attention to real self/see me; flopping back to front- changing plans without control/ alternatively resting then charging forward
We never learn, we been here before (FH shot of back flying towards waterfall right then left side of waterfall)
Why are we always stuck and running from (FH pausing before waterfall)(Tight shot of right side of face looking down(unclear if GH or FH))(Overhead shot of waterfall)
Your bullets, (FH flying over mountains)
your bullets? (GH left profile looking up to sky) (FH flying up mountain to near peak)
We never learn, we been here before (GH right profile walking forwards from shoulders up)(FH floating up mountainside right side profile far shot)
Why are we always stuck and running from (GH left profile shoulders up singing)(FH far shot floating up mountain side like climbing)
Your bullets, (far shot of FH floating in sky sideways to right (clockwise) facing camera with small peak in foreground)
Your bullets? (Closer shot of mountain peak)(FH floating in mountains up to peak facing away from camera)
***Facing waterfall- obstacle to figure out; ascending over waterfall- slippery goal accomplished/slippery slope; ascending mountain- accomplishing huge goals from a distance; near landing on peak- almost made it
We don't talk enough (FH near touchdown on mountain peak facing camera then straight upward)
We should open up (FH moving in circle around peak facing center clockwise)
Before it's all too much (GH left side full profile walking forward) (GH left side full profile steps forward then stops abruptly and tilts head back) (far shot of FH moving up and spinning from facing camera to facing away to left)
Will we ever (GH tight blurry shot of right side of face chin up signing)
learn? (GH cut to face shot staring at camera with mouth firmly shut; not singing left side of frame)
We've been here before (FH far shot moving away) (FH close up of back of feet/legs kicking out mid-air)
It's just what we know (GH shot walking left profile singing)
***Nearly accomplished goal then had to abruptly back off when found out; moving facing goal in clear direction; circling/closing in on goal; moving backwards quickly away from goal; back to false face; unable to speak; knocked down out of thin air; keep trudging forward
(FH moving up and towards sun back to camera legs bent)
Stop your crying baby (GH left profile tight shot pan from mouth to eyes) (GH singing up to sky looking up and slight right)
It’s a sign of the times (GH left profile looking down and walking backwards)
We gotta get away (tight face shot of GH singing facing camera) (FH right profile far shot moving towards sunlight)
We got to get away (closer shot FH arms out and relaxed sun in background)
We got to get away (GH bend forward towards camera belting song on ground)
We got to get away (FH left full length profile floating forwards against yellow backlit clouds)
We got to get away (FH right profile close up of torso with jacket floating up behind back and screaming lyrics) (far shot of FH left profile flying up then forward spinning clockwise into sunlit clouds)
***Looking for answers; more steps backward away from goal; seeing the light/figuring out how to reach goal; relief; exaltation
We got to, we got to (GH tight face shot from left grinning and looking upwards without singing)
away (GH bending down to left while singing facing camera) (GH shot of torso with both arms straight down and fingers outstretched hands palms down) (far shot of FH right full length profile falling down and to left through pink and yellow clouds)
We got to, we got to (GH screaming lyrics head back facing upwards left profile shoulders up)
away (shot of GH from left side relaxing arms held up to sides palms up fingers curled in slightly then slowly moving downwards)
We got to, we got to (GH face shot screaming lyrics facing slight right)
away (GH screaming lyrics up to sky right profile shoulders up) (FH far shot right profile floating up into yellow sunlit clouds profile shot relaxed posture arms down) (cut with closer shot FH right profile backlit by yellow clouds) (cut to FH far shot right profile floating up into yellow backlit clouds)
***Happy but silenced; slight downward trajectory; acceptance/surrender; determination; goal far off but in sight; moving back slightly before moving forward again; goal still in sight but far away
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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On one hand, we get blue suited Harry, facing the camera, sprawled out lying on a car or a vintage phone booth, dark murky water strewn with trash and a few petals.
On the other, we get naked Harry, facing away from the camera, huddled in soft pink water filled with petals.
Only one shot doesn’t have Harry, and it’s the chaotic dark space-like one that has the phone booth and car and trash flying everywhere.
Most tellingly, we get a close-up shot of just his eye, tears spilling onto his cheek. (The fact that this one is spaced opposite Woman and From the Dining Table...)
