Around September 23rd, social media accounts run by Directioners were buzzing. Rumors spread on supposed sightings of singer-songwriter Harry Styles running through the streets of Italy, filming for a secret project. Immediately, this caused frenzy throughout Tik Tok and Twitter. Trending hashtags like #MUSICVIDEO and #GOLDEN were reaching fans all over the world. The word “golden” referred to Styles's newly released single, an adored part of his Grammy contender album Fine Line, containing over 12 distinct songs. This theory stemmed from fans predicting a music video to follow his announcement of “Golden” coming out as a single, as previously done for his other songs. For example, “Lights Up,” “Adore You,” and “Falling” were accompanied by iconic videos immediately after their releases. 

Fast forward a month and news was still circulating. Was Styles recording new tunes? Filming a documentary? Everything came to light when on October 20th, Styles’s  website made headlines for changing its background and allowing fans to insert their name into a preformatted message that would read: “(Your Name), you are so golden. TPWK. Love, H.” 

This caused an uproar of excitement through trending hashtags #WHEN and #TIME, as followers speculated the release time and date of the music video. As more channels mused, Harry teased fans with Instagram photos of him wearing fancy outfits by various scenic backdrops in Italy. These only fueled the stirring of anticipation online.

However, it all hit a standstill when it was announced that “Golden” was going to be globally available on October 26th, 2020. Cue the hysteric commotion from supporters all over the world! When released, the video featured various running shots of the singer, on roads and under tunnels that led out to picturesque shots of Italy. Online buzz led to theories. Fans believed the running symbolized a start to a new beginning in life or that the Gucci lace gloves Styles wore was protection from him turning everything he touched into gold. Regardless, the end product delivered what his admirers had hoped for: a sense of freedom and ethereality encapsulated in three and a half minutes. In many shots, the lens of the camera turns to a fish to continue the ongoing metaphor from previous songs that his fans represent the fish or his support system. They were evidently pivotal in pushing Styles to pursue his passion for singing and writing.

“Golden” has enlightened Styles lovers to a new side of him the public has never seen before. The rawness of the lyrics and the simplicity of the video showcase why fans appreciate every aspect of Styles’ ideology in songwriting and creating art through music.

Article Written by Alexa Ojeda, Photos Curated by Sophia Howard, Design by Alyssa Hoppie, Media by Emma Garza