Harry Styles dropped his latest song only days ago and already it’s spread across TikTok and ‘As It Was’ has become a trend, but what is it?
On Friday, April 1, Styles dropped his track ‘As It Was’, and safe to say, it’s a bop. If people weren’t already convinced he’s done the modern-day equivalent of what Robbie Williams and Justin Timberlake did before him – transition, successfully, from boy band member to solo artist – then this song and video might just convince you.
What is ‘As It Was’?
‘As It Was’ is the lead song to Styles’ upcoming third solo studio album – due to be released on May 20 – and the song and its video, have captivated people, as it’s already racked up over 37 million views on Youtube.
The songs poignant line comes in the chorus when the former One Direction star sings ‘you know it’s not the same as it was’ and it triggers thoughts and feelings of being vulnerable. Whether the song is about a relationship Styles had or commentary on the changing world around us it has prompted people to take to TikTok and share their vulnerability in the form of photos of themselves as they were – or as it was – in past years, documenting their personal change.
The TikTok Trend
In the trend TikTok users post a video featuring images of themselves from 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 – showing the most recent picture as the song plays ‘you know it’s not the same’, then the next three as Styles repeats ‘as it was’ three times.
Some TikTok users say looking at the short time – which covers pre to post pandemic – they feel like a completely different person. While others say it can be painful to look back over it.
The time span fits perfectly with the song and with the reflection that even with the lifting of all COVID restrictions in the UK this year life isn’t the same as it was and chances our neither is anyone who got through it. But for many TikTok users it’s allowed them to see how they’ve changed and grown since 2019.
