Released: 2019
“Adore You” by Harry Styles, is essentially a love letter to an unnamed lover. This wonder-wall of a song paints a picture of a deep, unwavering affection. Now, let’s dive into the deep end and explore the intricacies of the narrative Styles so masterfully unfolds.
We kick off with the intriguing line, “Walk in your rainbow paradise (paradise), Strawberry lipstick state of mind (state of mind).” The rainbow paradise signifies the vibrant experience of love, while strawberry lipstick talks about the enticing exhilaration that the subject of his affection incites. When our boy Harry swoons, “I get so lost inside your eyes, Would you believe it?” he’s showcasing an all-consuming infatuation. Lost in their gaze, baby.
When Harry croons, “You don’t have to say you love me, You don’t have to say nothing, You don’t have to say you’re mine,” he’s exploring the concept of unconditional love. Regardless of reciprocation or declaration, his feelings remain steadfast — no need for grand declarations or ownership, just pure, unfiltered adoration.
Our main man amps up the devotion in the chorus with his bold declaration, “I’d walk through fire for you, Just let me adore you,” implying that he’s ready to endure any hardship, just for the chance to show his affection. It’s this repetition of “like it’s the only thing I’ll ever do,” that emphasizes the singularity of his feelings – he’s so into this person, everything else seems monochrome.
Moving onto, “Your wonder under summer sky (summer sky), Brown skin and lemon over ice,” Styles gives us images of summer, invoking a sense of warmth and bliss. Here, the brown skin could hint towards an appreciation for his lover’s physical appearance, while ‘lemon over ice’ embodies a summertime romance filled with refreshment and relaxed intimacy.
Interestingly, we see a shift in Styles’ disposition in the second verse, “I just wanna tell you somethin’, Lately you’ve been on my mind.” Here, he is more assertive about expressing his feelings, and there’s a unidirectional confession that this unnamed charm has been all he can think of.
The conclusion with its repeated chorus cements the depth of his feelings. Even though it’s unreciprocated, love doesn’t necessarily need to be a two-way street. And so, Harry is content in his adoration, in the simple act of loving, a testament that sometimes, love in itself is a grand adventure.
“Adore You” is so much more than its beautiful melody and catchy hooks. It’s Harry Styles’ testament to love in its purest, unfiltered form, embroidering a reminder that sometimes, love is enough on its own. After all, as Harry would say, there’s a charm in just letting him adore you.
