Harry Styles On Going Solo, Playing His Music To Ed Sheeran & Being In Awe of Adele
Harry Styles season is about to kick off. Not only will Harry be starring (swimming around a lot) in 'Dunkirk', the new film by visionary director Christopher Nolan, later this year, but he’s bringing out a full solo album, too. (Which, of course, you knew already. 'This is''Harry Styles we're talking about'.)
‘Sign Of The Times’, the song Harry said he’s most proud of writing, is finally being released into the open 'tomorrow 'at 8am. “It’s time to give birth,” Harry said in a new interview. We couldn't agree more.
In a wide-ranging interview with Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw (quotes are below), Harry revealed why he hasn’t dated 'in a long time', what inspired his writing for the album, how Ed Sheeran reacted when he played him new music and more.
Harry on playing the new track for Ed Sheeran
Harry Styles: “I played him a few songs after the album was finished. I didn’t see him for a bit because I was away. He didn’t say that he didn’t like any but he did like one song that isn’t on the album. So I did have a bit of a minute of like hmmm no but…”
On whether he’s spoken to Adele about his new record, and if she’s offered any advice…
“I’ve spoken to her a little bit, she knows one of the guys that I wrote it with (his music) a lot. But I don’t think so much advice, I just like how she does stuff.
“I think she leads by example, she’s the biggest, and she’s amazing she’s the best so she should be the biggest.”
“The thing with her is she’s a different thing, she’s just good at it, I like how she does everything, it looks very nice.”
On the present Adele gave him for his 21st birthday
“For my 21st she gave me one of her albums, '21', and said ‘I did some pretty cool stuff when I was 21, good luck’ and I was like geez.”
Talking about being a new solo artist and day one in the new chapter of his life…
“It’s a bit weird, I feel like I’ve been hibernating for so long now and you hear it in the safety of the studio and now it’s time to give birth … it’s the song (debut single) I’m most proud of writing.”
On playing his solo music to his Mum…
“Good, I think it’s nerve-racking in that I’ve only played it to like 10 people in a room. I try and not be there if I’m playing it… my Mum liked it which was handy.”
On what inspired his writing for the album…
“I think it’s hard to not have influencers from what you grew up listening on. I think everyone reacts differently to different types of music. I was with the guys who I was writing it with and we just wanted to make what we wanted to listen to and that has been the most fun part for me about making the whole album.
“In the least weird way possible, it’s my favourite album to listen to at the moment… I think if you put out something that you don’t stand behind and really love…then if it doesn’t go well then you could regret not doing what you wanted to do. Whereas if nothing happens with it, I love it you know so I think that’s what you should do.
“I think that’s been my favourite part to the overall thing is listening to the album and making all the changes – it has been fun to watch over it all.”
“I think a lot of people, especially at labels separate it because they work in music that it’s a broader understanding of music than people who are listening… I think we are all fans of music and I think we made it as the fan… I hope we did a good job but I really like the album so I hope people like it.”
Hear the full co-host and world premiere of Harry’s debut single 8am tomorrow (Friday 7th April 2017) on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show.
In his Radio 1 interview, Harry Styles also revealed why he hasn't dated 'in a long time'. Read more here.
Take a look at the artwork for 'Sign Of The Times'here.
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