From the Dining Table, a lyrical analysis from Harry Styles the album

From The Dining Table, Song Meaning and Lyrical Interpretation

This is another sad song from Harry's album. 

Woke up alone in this hotel room  

Played with myself, where were you?  

Fell back to sleep, I got drunk by noon 

I've never felt less cool

WHAAAAT? When I heard this verse, I was shook. Harry Styles masturbates?!?!?!!? My boyband fangirl heart was SHOOK. (I have already reacted to this line here  But I felt like I had to react again).


But to be honest, that line is pretty crass and out of the blue. I understand why Harry mentions it, he wants to portray himself as defeated and hopeless. He's alone, masturbating, day drinking - he knows he is a mess.

We haven't spoke since you went away
Comfortable silence is so overrated
Why won't you ever be the first one to break?
Even my phone misses your call, by the way

Unlike Ever Since New York, I think this sad song is about a relationship. Harry and his lover had a fight and Harry wishes so much that she would call him and make up. Harry is always the one who calls. It looks like Harry is the one who loves more in this scenario.

I saw your friend that you know from work
He said you feel just fine
I see you gave him my old t-shirt
More of what was once mine

Harry's ex lover has moved onto a new man and he is jealous. This is similar to Woman.


I do wonder what boyfriend would wear his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend's shirt? Maybe she just never mentioned it was her ex-boyfriend's shirt? Still, it's a little weird - just throw your ex-boyfriend's shirt away - don't gift it to your new boyfriend.

"More of what was once mine," means that she was once Harry's. 

I see it's written, it's all over his face
Comfortable silence is so overrated
Why won't you ever say what you want to say?
Even my phone misses your call, by the way

Maybe the girl's new boyfriend doesn't mind her inability to communicate. Harry's ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend are both okay with comfortable silence which Harry think is overrated. He wants the girl to say what she really feels.

I like Harry imagining that the phone feels the same way. The phone also misses having her name light up on it's screen. Maybe it makes Harry feel better that something else feels the same way he does.

Maybe one day you'll call me and tell me that you're sorry too
Maybe one day you'll call me and tell me that you're sorry too
Maybe one day you'll call me and tell me that you're sorry too

But you, you never do 

I love these lines and how they repeat over and over again. These lyrics are filled with such passionate longing. Harry is hoping for the impossible.

Woke up the girl who looked just like you
I almost said your name

Harry does have a type when he dates - models. So it makes sense that one of his hookups looks very similar to the girl he is longing for.  Here, it's like Harry is trying to distract himself with other women but they just remind him of her.

We haven't spoke since you went away
Comfortable silence is so overrated
Why won't you ever say what you want to say?
Even my phone misses your call

Harry wishes so badly that she would just magically call. And then they would talk and work out their problems and get back together. The longing is intense with this one.

Previous Lyrical Analysis	All Harry Styles Analysis	Next Lyrical Analysis
Woman	Harry Styles Lyrical Analysis Masterpost	Harry Styles Lyrics Project Complete!!!

Suggested Blog Posts

• Every Song Off Harry Styles, the album RANKED
• Harry Styles at Radio City Music Hall: Kiwi is now my favorite song.
• My Reactions to Harry Styles' Most Risque Lyrics On His New Album
• Every Song Off Taylor Swift's reputation album RANKED [Track-by-Track Review] Part 1