Harry Styles and his ode to real life

We don’t talk enough / We should open up / Before it’s all too much / Will we ever learn? / We’ve been here before / It’s just what we know

Besides the mention of the “sign of the times” which I consider poignant, and deceptively so, as it’s hidden in a "mainstream pop" song, I believe it’s this part of the song that really delivers the punch that I’m not sure that we hear as a listener. (Probably because it’s hidden near the end of a 5-minute long song.)

The verses to me are just meandering around comforting a loved one about these troublesome, strange days that are among us. Do you feel it? We are the same, yet we are changing. Not necessarily calls to despair, but definitely a summons to change. And it's about time, isn't it?

We don't talk enough - we talk, but what do we really say? "Everybody's talking, but no one says a word," cried Lennon. There's more than the Kardashians to talk about, and we should try to get to those important places sometimes. We need to increase our dosage of truth, and find the courage it will take to do so.

We should open up - The devil loves darkness, and keeping our wounds hidden where we can look pretty to strangers who we don't know. And even hidden from those who care about us and are here to help. "Life opens up when you do," say Crest toothpaste. No more walking around in public with your head down. Don't just open up to friends and family (tip: do do that), but consider the world around you your family too!

Before it's all too much - The more we "shove away" our problems, fears, insecurities... we know they bubble up. We've had the experience. We know it's not good to bottle up our problems. Humanity is getting to that point too. No more "getting by", and more getting on with finding real solutions. Cuz anyone who believes in the goodness of the universe and our amazing human potential knows that good always wins and that we can find a way.

Will we ever learn? - Need I remind you of Einstein's famous definition of insanity? Are we learning, changing, growing or doing the same things day by day, and either hoping for a change, or worse, giving up and living in a shell of your true potential.

We've been here before - The kingdom of 'me' and selfishness and "my stuff", "my property", "my money", "mind your own business", "paving paradise and putting up a parking lot"... it's a kingdom of isolation, it doesn't work, and it seems to leave us disconnected from each other. Let's not be afraid to try something new, and let's believe something different is an option. You can change your attitude can't you? If we all do, by some miracle of God or the collective conscious, then perhaps we'll be looking at real change. Wouldn't it be nice?

It's just what we know - We don't think there's any other way. I put forward that your desire for something better and something different is itself proof that such a thing can come to pass. Don't be a pessimist, let's work together for something better.

It's a sign of the times - As The Doors once said: "Strange days have found us." Strange indeed, and perhaps we feel a little jittery and uncertain. Fear not, we have the power to shift the tide. What will you do?

Joseph J Sardo

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