Throughout history, goodbyes have been portrayed within a gray area of sad and happy, where one can be indifferent, thankful, or absolutely devastated. Especially after failures and or bad-luck circumstances, as you watch what was so paramount to you, you disappear on a random Tuesday as if it meant nothing. Specifically, English singer and songwriter Harry Styles’s emotional ballad, “Coming Up Roses,” defines how just because the culture of modern romance seems fleeting does not make it less important. He stresses how one’s ideals only have to make sense to themselves and how one needs to stop living as if they must always prove something. He sings about simply living to express oneself unapologetically. In fact, “Coming Up Roses” is the only track out of the 12 tracks on his new pop disco album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” that is fully self-written by him, making the song laced with personality and emotional perspective. Here is how Styles characterizes grief as something to be passionate about rather than ashamed over.

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“Tell me your fears
I’ve turned back the clocks, it’s that time of year
If we stay the course, we could get it right
But I’m not devoid of an appetite
And everythin’ seems to be comin’ up roses
But I’m scared if we’re both right
Does that mean we’re not aligned?”

Here, it’s as if Harry is setting a scene where he is on a date, and he mentions the clocks behind paused back to signify reconciliation with a past lover.  He does this as an attempt to achieve a deeper connection with them. It’s like he is a child who just discovered the word why as he lets his curiosity get the best of him in hopes to fuel his interests in them, regretting the times he couldn’t.  However, there are signs of uncertainty portraying how diving back into a relationship is a risk one takes, where the other person can obtain mutual feelings and also know the commitment it takes to pursue one meaningfully, since everything that once was done happened for a reason.

“Just for tonight, let’s go hangover chasin’
And I’ll talk your ear off about why it’s safe
As I fumble my words and fall flat on my face through the truth
Just say the word and we’ll take up the test
Where we flirt with the bad ones and skip all the rest
But we see out the night with your head on my chest, me and you”

It is common for one to neglect rational thoughts when driven madly with love. Harry has a way of characterizing pain as an experiment, where one’s fate is tested, and growth is a product. Ironically, there is a sign of maturity here when he realizes that he will end up setting himself up for disaster, but realizes that the risk is worth it, since just because some things cut ties does not mean the whole sensation was meaningless, as long as it remains eternalized in one’s heart.

“Now I see your tears on account of my wants
And now it appears that I’m feelin’ guilty and worried, dear
That you think that I might not want you here
Does all of this seem to be bringin’ us closer
Or am I backseatin’ your life?
Judgin’ while you drive?”

Here, as the song comes to an end with an orchestral style composed of violins, Styles achieves a reassuring tone, emphasizing how a relationship should be fueled by consistency and attention to detail rather than an absent mind. However fun spontaneous love can be, it is not always ideal due to prioritizing intense emotions for a sense of escapism over truly knowing the person. After all, the song is titled ” Coming Up Roses ” as a reminder to perceive one’s relationship to blossom into roses rather than spoil into fallen petals of wasted potential.

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Ultimately, this song explores the themes of vulnerable intimacy and the surrender to the moment. Styles strategically laces his song with reassurance and appreciation to characterize goodbyes as something more than to absent-mindedly forget. With this song, we can see through the lens of how disastrous love is just what we need to fully live love worth fighting for, and in turn, the universe will return the favor.