Charlie Puth • Love You Goodbye • 22.10.2024

Tribute to Liam

Harry & Louis talking through songs.

As it was

The Great Ghost a work by Yoann Bourgeois

The acrobat, actor, juggler, and dancer, specialized in circus performances Yoann Bourgeois, has done series of exceptional performances and art expositions of many shapes and forms in the past, creating unique art representation.

Yoann Bourgeois is the official choreographer for As It Was. He is not exactly inexperienced, he has delighted many with great works of ART before:

2017- Pantheon at Paris: Rotating circular stairway with a discrete trampoline at its center.

‘La mécanique de l’Histoire’ (The Mechanics of History) is a part of the Monuments En Movement series at the Panthéon, and is a meditation on Earth’s gravity. Sounds familiar???

In tune with this circus obvious presence, I wanted to bring in the possible consideration between the outfits in the music video and Picasso’s "Acrobat and young harlequin" paint. Not so much because of the similarities but the curious clue delivered during the campaign.

I have brought in the relationship between Harlequin & Pierrot before and Harry’s hints about a new era, concepts directly linked to this paint and it’s era, an inflection between Picasso's Blue and Rose Periods, showing characteristics of both, with its melancholic subject and its blue and rose palette. Again… the allusion to “between colors”

More hints pointing to a clear transition of the artist, we will clear out soon if As it Was is the inflection point of this transition and if we will walk through that discovery journey through the rest of the album. Interesting ha?!

It has taken a bit to put this together because the little I read around didn't fit right with what I was perceiving from it. This song is so beautiful and meaningful. It is one of my favorites, It's the music and it's the story, but it's not just about Louis.

It all starts with their memories, those of their free time, the fun and relaxed moments of the trip that brought them together. There are issues, nothing new probably, nothing big but they start to interfere with that memorable time, preventing Harry from fully enjoying it and wondering if he should bring it up...

The music is cheerful, giggly even, in a steady rhythm that induces a state of joyful calm; a constant and happy rhythm.

The breakfast reference is very revealing. He is naming 5 different options that 5 different guys have probably chosen too many times in their morning menus (I can perfectly identify Harry’s and Louis ’preferences). Writing about breakfast implies a bond beyond a simple friendship, people don’t share it with average friends; lunch, dinner, cocktails… you name it, but breakfast generally entails living together, it's about family. So with that in mind “I will always love you” let me picture Harry silently reminiscing about those morning scenes and thinking “I will always love you guys, no matter what”, confirming their lifetime bonding, melting into the happy moments of them together.

Harry has "never" used the direct approach to say his “ILYs” to Louis through his songs, he is poetic, it has always been more special. This is for me a fraternal open way to share his sincere love for his brothers.

In the song, Harry keeps wondering if he should raise his voice and share his concerns.

Later on, the music becomes different, speeds up the rhythm and talks about when they became an international band. Success leads to mechanical behaviors, soft drugs and wine consumption, which mark a different level of partying versus the one described before. If you remember the recent BH&G quote ["At the time, there were still the kiss-and-tell things. Working out who I could trust was stressful,”] referring to the days in the band that seem to be aligned with the line in the song “Kiss her and don’t tell”.

The next stage pointed to another relevant period in their career: conquering the American market. The list of significant memories for Harry during this time, definitely shows the life of debauchery they were dealing with: the hard drugs, the damages that shouldn't be shown, social media out of control, sexual exhibition & atmosphere, the poisoned gift, always prevailing the show… so, he stops wondering if he should and finally asks “Should we keep doing this?”

We have listened to the boys and Harry himself over interviews pointing at him like the first member to raise the idea of the band taking a break. We would never know if this exactly happened like this, but according to this song seems pretty close.

Harry Styles • As It Was • L’Officiel • Samaa Khullar • 31.3.2022

After HOME

& the AWAY FROM HOME FESTIVAL

Right when we are in the middle halfway to get to know Harry’s Home, in other words, discover what makes of that “house” a home….

Louis Tomlinson • Halfway Home • New song REGISTRATION today

01.04.2022

Harry & Louis • Leaked songs & story • 19.08.2022