As It Was

Harry Styles returned to the music scene in 2022 with As It Was, the lead single from his third studio album Harry's House. Released on April 1 through Erskine and Columbia, the synth-pop track was co-written by Styles alongside producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. The song marked a shift from the rock-influenced sound of his earlier work, embracing a more upbeat yet melancholic electronic pop style.

Critics praised the track for its catchy hook and emotional depth. Commercially, it became a global phenomenon. In the UK, it spent ten weeks at number one, making it the longest-running chart-topper of 2022 and the best-selling single of the year. In the US, it dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 non-consecutive weeks, setting a record for the longest-running number one by a British act. The song also spent 38 weeks in the top ten, one of the longest runs in history. Rolling Stone later ranked it number 500 on its 2024 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Internationally, As It Was topped charts in 45 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and France. The IFPI named it the best-selling global single of 2022, with 2.28 billion subscription stream equivalents. Its music video, directed by Tanu Muino, featured Styles in a red suit performing choreographed moves in a circular room, becoming a visual signature for the era.[edit]