Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Cherry, a lyrical analysis from Fine Line, a Harry Styles album

 Cherry, Song Meaning and Lyrical Interpretation



Welcome everyone! Today I discuss a song that is a member of my favorite genre of Harry Styles songs - fruits! Yes, welcome cherry! Join the cool club with watermelon and kiwi!

When I started researching Cherry on the internet, my main reaction was, "awwwww, Harry is so cute." I actually didn't know that most of his songs on Fine Line are about Camille Rowe, a French model he dated in 2018. It looks like he was affected deeply by the breakup. I don't want to make assumptions but it does seem like the break up was more Camille's decision than his by the emotions he expresses in this song and To Be Lonely.

The song starts with the word, "Coucou," which, according to the internet, is used to say hello to the listener. This is a French word and Camille Rowe is French.
Don't you call him "baby"
We're not talking lately
Don't you call him what you used to call me

These are pretty simple lyrics! Harry is jealous of Camille's new lover.

I, I confess I can tell that you are at your best
I'm selfish so I'm hating it
I noticed that there's a piece of you in how I dress
Take it as a compliment

Harry Styles is being very vulnerable here by admitting that he's jealous of Camille's happiness without him. "I noticed that there's a piece of you in how I dress," might be a nod to how Harry is embracing more feminine styles of dress. Just last year, the internet was ablaze when Harry wore a dress on the cover of vogue. But also, during my research, I found out that Harry Styles has literally been wearing pieces of jewlery and clothing items that Camille used to own.

I, I just miss
I just miss your accent and your friends

Did you know I still talk to them?

Harry's so cute! He still keeps in touch with her friends because during the relationship they became his friends as well. It shows that he was very serious about her because he took the time to really embrace her world. 

Does he take you walking 'round his parents' gallery?

This is my favorite line from this song because I looked up the background behind it and it's very thought provoking! It looks like Camille broke up with Harry to date Theodorakis Niarchos. Theodorakis's family owns 2.2 billion dollars of art due to his grandfathers investing in art in the past. It's thought-provoking to me because its the age old Great Gatsby question of: new money VS old money. If you look up Harry Styles' net worth - it's not anywhere close to 2.2 billion dollars. A billion is an insane amount of dollars!! It's just interesting to see how Harry Styles - a celebrity, a musician, and a household name - might never make as much as someone with generational wealth. 

Camille Rowe and Harry Styles. Love her sweater!
Coucou ! Tu dors ? Oh, j'suis désolée...
Bah non... Nan, c'est pas important...
Ouais, on a été à la plage, et maintenant on—

Parfait ! Allez !

The internet tells me that this is a voice note from Camille!  During an interview with Rolling Stone, Harry said this: "That’s just a voice note of my ex-girlfriend talking. I was playing guitar and she took a phone call—and she was actually speaking in the key of the song."

I think it's WILD that Harry is actually confirming who the song is about. Mentioning the art galley boyfriend PLUS including her actual voice in the song. You usually don't hear artists ever confirm who a song is about! Taylor Swift would never admit who she wrote All Too Well about!

In conclusion, this is a sweet and vulnerable song Harry wrote for his ex-girlfriend.

Do you agree or do you interpret these lyrics differently? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

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