#sunflower album | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

rachthepoet · 8 months ago

Text

Sunflower, Vol. 6 Analysis

My baby, my darling, my decadent Sunflower, Vol. 6. Is this post just an excuse for me to sing my praises? To gush my heart out? Write a self-indulgent love letter to my favorite song? Absolutely. But won't you so generously entertain me with your time?

Sunflower, Vol. 6 holds genius on all the levels a mind can conceive — lyrical, musical — and I can't forget to mention the pure romanticism that induces a flush to my cheeks. Ahhh. Yet, somewhere, it remains one of his most underrated pieces. Harry's use of extended metaphor here is something I'll forever love, for he knows how to execute it well, and this song presents itself as a masterclass in said technique. Oh, my bad. Am I getting too ahead of myself again? If it wasn't clear, the beautiful sunflower is our metaphor here, with many layers to unravel. Petal by petal.

Here's a deep dive into Harry Styles' Sunflower, Vol. 6, from a poet. And your self-proclaimed residential sunflower connoisseur.

🌻Why Sunflowers? Why the Vol. 6?

First, we must talk Floriography, a grand love of mine.

Floriography is, simply put, the language of flowers. Every flower out there holds different meanings, often based on the species, variant, color, characteristics, or all of the above in combination. Floriography then, you see, is the art of communicating through flowers. It was popularized during the Victorian Era, though it's been around before then. It is a way to communicate without saying much at all. People would carefully select and organize a bouquet/floral arrangement to convey a specific sentiment to the recipient. Even the distinction between a single flower sent or a bouquet held significance and could convey very different messages. There's great nuance to such a subtle means of communication.

But, I don't want to overwhelm you. Sunflowers in floriography will be our focus. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty, love of life, adoration, and devotion. The symbolism derives from sunflowers being heliotropic �� the flower's tendency to follow the sun across the sky as an instinctual part of its growth cycle. And, how about that, this leads perfectly to my first theory about the addition of the Vol. 6.

According to the National Sunflower Association and seen in the official sunflower production handbook, a sunflower has 9 stages of reproductive growth (R-1 to R-9). But, to honor your time, let's skip ahead to stage R-6 or, if you will, a sunflower's sixth volume.

"Flowering is complete and the ray flowers are wilting."

This is the peak of the sunflower's reproductive growth, as its seeds begin to ripen, signifying the sunflower reaching maturity. R-1 to R-5 is from seedling to fully formed. R-5 is where you can cut the flowers down, arrange them in a pretty vase, and display them on your windowsill. Or a centerpiece for your table. Which is beautiful, but only for a time. But, the flower cut during R-5 will never progress to R-6, and will never complete the full circle of its life. It's a catalyst, a moment of decision toward change, for the seeds to be harvested and replanted for one of nature's cycles to continue.

Now, let's use our newfound knowledge of a sunflower's growth, and apply it to the metaphor we see here: a growing relationship. Within said metaphor, stage R-6 would be the height of the relationship — a time filled with ecstasy, admiration, and realization. But, in companionship with change. Pulling from our now-shared knowledge of floriography, we know that sunflowers communicate loyalty, love of life, adoration, and devotion. Therefore, my theorization is that the relationship at the song's heart is one that he thought could last, be sustained, and remain at its peak. Stage R-6 is where it peaked, maybe one of many peaks. But the found nuance is how it has a possibility of going down, paralleling how the sunflower's seeds will soon fall. But, in this cascading, there can be rebirth (as in, letting the natural cycle continue, parallels fate). The 6th volume, the 6th stage, is the catalyst for the future's fate. He could've chosen to let this person go, to cut the "Sunflower" down, put them in a vase, and only look fondly upon them as his past. Rather, he wants to fight for them to make it to the next stage, to try and complete the cycle to come back renewed. But, also, there's still uncertainty and a lingering change. Maybe they'd come back together, maybe they wouldn't. But all would be worth it.

The Fine Line album is heavy on themes of change and grieving, and this song slides into that grand motif just fine. To me, this song does chronicle a pivotal time between the two characters — the speaker, presumed to be Harry himself, and the lover being serenaded with this piece.

Though the growth stage theory is the one I'm most fond of, I do have other thoughts and theories about that Vol. 6 addition. It never seems to escape my mind, I'm always thinking about it. Even just running in the background of my brain. And, well, it's always good to have your backups! So, let's run through them, yeah?

Numerology: Number 6 is considered the most harmonious of the numbers, holding close a representation of home, harmony, nurturing, and idealism. It's an embodiment of the heart and can represent unconditional love. Don't have any clue if Harry's ever read up on numerology, but! I still feel as if it's a possibility to be one of those odd things he'd pick a book up on. Number 6 in love, the numerology personality is a devoted lover, which ties back to sunflowers symbolizing devotion. And, I'll end this bit off by quoting a paragraph from Astrotalk:

"Though numerology number 6 does not readily fall in love, once they do, they would go to any length to ensure that their partners are happy and safe... They are concerned about ensuring a safe and healthy environment for their partner. These are enthusiastic people that express a lot of love..."

Erik Erikson: Erikson's theory of Psychosocial Development has a total of eight stages — and stage 6 is the psychosocial crisis of intimacy vs. isolation, with the developed virtue being love. Those who chose intimacy foster deep meaningful connection, which is something explored as an aching desire in Harry's songs before. In this sixth stage of development, the core question asks: WILL I BE LOVED, OR WILL I BE ALONE? A path to an enriched life paves if intimacy is chosen. But, if this stage is ignored, it can manifest into a fear of rejection and negatively impact the other stages. Frankly, I could even stretch to say that core question can be applied to the song itself.

The 6th Song About This Person in Fine Line / Continuation Chapter: A shorter theory, and a more personal one that I have already convinced myself people might not see eye-to-eye on, but that's totally okay! The structure of Vol. 6 led me to a mindset of books. Not a very hard mindset to lead me into, but I digress. Which, then, made me consider it being a continuing chapter or the next book in a series, metaphorically. Golden. Watermelon Sugar. Cherry. Falling. To Be So Lonely. And, then, Sunflower, Vol. 6. When I listen to the album, these all have a connecting red string for me. That's all I'm going to say for now, for an elaboration would be a whole new dissertation here. And I'm already so lucky you're sticking around for this long one.

Just Five Others Volumes: Admittedly the most mundane and easy explanation of the many, but shouldn't be ruled out. There could very well be just five previous versions of the song stashed in his personal vault. Sometimes, you have to go through many versions before arriving at a final version you love. As a poet, I get you Harry, and I feel you in that.

🌻Lyric Pull Apart

[INTRO] Sunflower

Though sounding like gibberish at the top, this intro sets the foundation for the poetry to bloom. It's Harry saying the word sunflower, but reversed, which sets us up for a cyclical experience... much like the natural growth cycle of our beloved flower. Or, even, the cycle of the rising and falling of the sun. Or, maybe, the sun moving and the flower following. The relationship at the heart of the song will circle back around, never truly wilting or fading. Embedded in the stylistic choice of the circle structure, this love transcends the standard timeline, moving beyond the chronological. For it's always circling back around to its heart, to its peak. To its sixth volume. [HINT: LISTEN INTENTLY LATER FOR THE TENSE CHANGES.]

We've solidified the sunflower's significance in Floriography, yes? Devotion? Now, I'm going to offer another perspective on the saccharine symbolism of Harry's sunflower — a comforting nickname for the person he's addressing throughout the song. And I'm going to bring in some poetry. Oh boy, am I — it's one of my favorites.

Sunflower Sutra is a poem by Beat poet Allen Ginsberg that I can vividly imagine Harry reading and stashing away to his inspiration bank. Ginsberg right beside Brautigan. There's always been this fond love inside me for the Beat Generation, how their writing is dirty, down-to-earth, and weird in the best ways a human could fathom. How the only right way to read their work is to rant it out. It's full of passion, and always about being alive, every part of it — and, truly, I see Fine Line, the album, the same, a celebration of being alive in all the flux. And Sunflower, Vol. 6? You're a part of it, baby!

"A perfect beauty of a sunflower! a perfect excellent lovely sunflower existence! a sweet natural eye to / the new hip moon, woke up alive and excited grasping in the sunset shadow sunrise golden / monthly breeze!"

In my interpretation (to which you are free to disagree with or add to), Ginsberg's sunflower represents something tarnished and battered but can be redeemed and grow in beauty again — all this he ponders alongside Kerouac. An anti-industrialization poem at its core, yes, but I do think it could've inspired Harry in some ways for this song.

I believe Sunflower, Vol. 6 can be read as a romantic reassurance hymn when studied through the lens of Ginsberg's poem. Something, or rather someone, beaten down but with the potential to bloom out of hardships. Maybe two someones. I see this narrative & nuance running rampant through the song and its core relationship. And, again, I believe we find ourselves back at the circle concept. The relationship at the heart of Sunflower, Vol. 6 continues to come back around to domestic comfort, a stabilizer despite their hardships, and I believe this to be a more fleshed-out reason behind the tense shifts seen soon. Though we've been beaten down by these outside forces, we will rise again — with the lesson of not letting circumstances make us believe we're something we're not.

"Poor dead flower? when did you forget you were a flower? when did you look at your skin and / decide you were an impotent dirty old locomotive? the ghost of a locomotive? the specter and / shade of a once powerful mad American locomotive? / You were never no locomotive, Sunflower, you were a sunflower!"

The natural vs. the unnatural. Regarding Sunflower, Vol. 6, the natural here is Harry and his Sunflower, of course. The unnatural is whoever and whatever that is a negative outside force impacting the health of the relationship. Think of infected soil. Sunflower, Vol. 6 invokes such joy when listening, and that's because it's supposed to! It's a happy reassurance of love. Harry reassures his Sunflower that there will always be this sense of devotion, even when things fall. It circles. Like the sun. Like the flower.

"So I grabbed up the skeleton thick sunflower and stuck it at my side like a scepter, / and deliver my sermon to my soul, and Jack's soul too, and anyone who'll listen,"

[VERSE 1] Sunflower, my eyes want you more than a melody Let me inside, wish I could get to know you Sunflowers sometimes keep it sweet in your memory I was just tongue-tied

Sunflower, my eyes want you more than a melody: When you realize how much of a music nerd Harry can be, you'd come around to see just how fucking adorable this line is. He wants to see his Sunflower in person more than he wants to write a song or discover a new melody. More than he wants to envelop himself in his art. His life's passion. Like?? Oh, he's so loverboy for that.

HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE. A characterization I feel travels throughout the Fine Line album, in different lights as illustrated in each song. Illustrated multiple moments in this song.

Let me inside, wish I could get to know you: Get out of your dirty mind now. Urban Dictionary has rotted too many brains. He harbors a desire to get to know his Sunflower on a deeper level. Wants to be let inside their head and thoughts (as they're already in his?), their heart (because Sunflower is afraid of love?), and their world (desire to be invested in all that is them, an all-consuming type of infatuation). But, it's the phrasing that piques my intrigue. Wish I could get to know you. Saying wish implies hope, something hard to obtain, a dream almost. It gives off the notion there's some distance — maybe physical, maybe emotional — like there's a reason behind him not being able to fulfill this desire for transparency (something consistently asked for, despite his own character flaw of miscommunication). And, that's exactly what this is to me, another yearning for transparency, trust, and open communication — themes in the Fine Line album. Maybe, just maybe, this is something they're still working on, a hardship they're still trudging through. Maybe Harry doesn't feel he has that agency yet, still working on peeling back his Sunflower's leaves.

Sunflowers sometimes keep it sweet in your memory: He holds onto the good of the relationship rather than focusing on the pitfalls. The growth over the destruction. His memories of his Sunflower remain sweet and sunny by his conscious design. However... there's always been a way I've heard this line and, here I be, shamelessly wondering if anybody else hears it that way, too.

I hear this lyric in two separate intervals: Sunflowers sometimes and Keep it sweet in your memory, as if they're both interrupting the other. Has he gone tongue-tied, like he's about to admit himself to? Almost as if he's going to say something negative, but stops himself with reassurance instead? The reassurance in question is how he'll keep it all sweet in his head, in the melody, for the means of preservation, rather than dwell on the bad. This, then, ties back to the discussion of Ginsberg's poem and how this piece can be heard as a song of reassurance. One where he keeps getting oh so tongue-tied...

I was just tongue-tied: ... And speaking of getting tongue-tied! This common term is used when people can't find the words to communicate — and struggle with communication is one of Harry's common plights explored in his oeuvre. Also, this could be a cheeky little allusion to kissing. Tongues intertwined with each other in passion. And, god, we adore that, too.

[PRE-CHORUS] I don't wanna make you feel bad But I've been trying hard not to talk to you Sunflower (Sunflower, Sunflower!)

I don't wanna make you feel bad / But I've been trying hard not to talk to you: In what I believe to be a continuation of the line before, we witness more struggle with communication. We love an artist with a common theme! Harry makes it clear that it's not his Sunflower's fault, yet feels some intimidation knowing that he won't be able to stop himself from falling like a little boy (TBSL CONNECT / HARRY THE FOOL IN LOVE CONTINUES). Maybe he's had moments where he's tried to disengage out of bad habits but doesn't want his Sunfower to ever feel guilt around his actions. Sometimes he pulls back because of his feelings of embarrassment from being so tongue-tied. Sometimes he pulls back from moments of fear. Just as his Sunflower does, as well.

Sunflower (Sunflower, Sunflower!): A return back to a comforting nickname to soothe them, which brings us further into the Ginsberg-influenced perspective that this is a song of reassurance in romanticisms.

[CHORUS 1] I couldn't want you anymore Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor I couldn't want you anymore Tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight)

I couldn't want you anymore: Don't know about you, but I think this is such a beautiful way to say I love you. And, there's such a giddiness to it, such joy in the choruses in this part. As mentioned before, he keeps returning to this domestic sweetness and these sunny memories, and you can feel the distinct shift, even if the rest of the song rings joyfully. It's just a different kind of joy here, indicated by different instrumentals as our hint in the ear.

We have also found ourselves sinking into another moment of reassurance, reminding his Sunflower how much he desires them. Which is, again, more signs of devotion.

Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor: Oh, this line. How I love it so! Kissing in the kitchen is a delectable image that emphasizes a commitment to building up a long-term relationship (leans into domestic scenery). Which is, you guessed it, another example of devotion. The added implication is that he wants to move forward, continuing this growth cycle with his Sunflower. As discussed prior with the sunflower's growth stages, stage R-6 is where the decision is made to allow the circle to complete naturally instead of harvesting the sunflowers at stage R-5.

This right here could be a reach of a connection, but I do get a little bell in my head reminding me of Two Ghosts from Harry's eponymous debut, specifically the lyric: THE FRIDGE LIGHT WASHES THIS ROOM WHITE / THE MOON DANCES OVER YOUR GOOD SIDE. Revisiting an older song, reflecting on past relationships, and reflecting on past emotions, then proceeding to flip it on its head. Feeling the improvement and the more healthy situation he's in now. Battered down, but potential for rebirth (Ginsberg's Sunflower Sutra).

I couldn't want you anymore / Tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight): Then, the signal of devotion is repeated, and this desire can be both physical and emotional. Devotion can lend itself to reassurance, as I believe both are often interwoven. And, can't not give a quick shoutout to the captivating Queen vibes I get from the echoing chorus of tonight, tonight, tonight!

[VERSE 2] Wondering, headshake Tired eyes are the death of me Mouthful of toothpaste before I got to know you I've got your face hung up high in the gallery I love this shade, Sunflower, Sunflower Your flowers just died, plant new seeds in the melody Let me inside, I wanna get to know you

Wondering, headshake / Tired eyes are the death of me: Wondering, still getting to know things about one another often, there are still things left to mystery about his Sunflower. Headshake, a moment of disbelief. He can't believe his eyes, his luck, shaking his head to make sure it's not all just a dream or hallucinatory. Then, his Sunflower's tired eyes are the death of him. He swoons as they wake up together, in a moment where both are unguarded. Implications lead me to assume that they've spent nights at each other's abodes, painting intimacy. Domestic intimacy, with a delicate hand, is what we return to. Sleeping next to one another, waking up next to each other, and ending and starting the day together. Intertwined. The rising and falling of the sun. Another cycle, perhaps? Subtle?

Mouthful of toothpaste before I got to know you: A further continuation of the domestic intimacy illustrated before, as we remain in the same scene — or at least concept. I adore the visual I get from this — honeymoon phase, where he sneaks out of bed to brush his teeth before his Sunflower wakes up. And, with the line, Before I got to know you, it does seem to be an earlier stage. Much like the honeymoon phase. Get what I'm getting at?

I've got your face hung up high in the gallery: A revisitation to adoration, found representation back in the flower itself (Floriography), alongside devotion, etcetera etcetera. His Sunflower's face is hung up high (Golden connect, I believe), in a gallery where he's studying them, in a gallery like they are precious art to be looked upon in wonder. Up high with importance. In this, I believe he's saying that he'll never forget his Sunflower's face, almost memorializing them and their relationship.

"The sixth volume of the sunflower is the catalyst for determining the cycle's fate. Will the flowers be cut down and preserved in a vase temporarily? Or, will the flowers continue with the natural cycle, in a consistent death and rebirth?"

He reassures that he'll never forget them, and finds himself putting his Sunflower on a pedestal — but not having himself hung up high beside them, for he's the one in constant admiration (HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE). A manifestation of his appreciation for his Sunflower's beauty and sublimity. From the gallery, Harry can admire them, like one admires and studies a piece of fine art for hours and hours on end. Harry holds such great admiration for them, and they still manage to mystify him all the time.

And, we can't ignore the echo back to Cherry, my other favorite, and how these two songs contrast in both meaning and context — so, to include a line that connects them to one another is a clever move artistically, as it highlights the stark differences with such intent. As the listener moves step-by-step through the stages of grieving set up in the song order — a whole other discussion for another post — we are experiencing the fluctuation of life's experiences, including love. And this is, I feel, a core concept to the Fine Line album, which then trickles down to extend to each song integrated by artist's choice.

I love this shade, Sunflower, Sunflower: Continuing on from the gallery visual, this cute little line... hmm. I have to admit that it did stump me for a little while, trying to draw out any hidden coding and making sure I didn't miss anything. But, in the end, this is what I've concluded for myself. Referencing the shade cast on him from his Sunflower's face hanging in the gallery, he doesn't mind being the one looking up in admiration. In fact, he loves it and relishes it. Much mirroring the nature of a sunflower following the sun up in the sky.

To bring it even further into the rabbit hole, most of what Harry knows in his life is people looking up to him, admiring him, and worshipping him, in response to his fame. So, just maybe, he loves the chance to be the admirer rather than the admired. Then, with sunflower, sunflower, we turn back to the comforting nickname and the soothing reassurance that comes in tow with it.

Your flowers just died, plant new seeds in the melody: Another line that's been wrecked by Urban Dictionary thumpers. I DON'T EVER WRITE OFF DOUBLE ENTENDRES, BUT STOP DISCREDITING THE MAN'S WRITING ABILITIES TO ONLY BEING ABLE TO WRITE ABOUT SEX. K? I'm taking you back to the sunflower's growth cycle again. Remember how we walked about the significance of being on stage R-6? Flowering is complete? What comes after is the beginning of the sunflower seeds ripening to be harvested, for which the flower has to die to make it so. Even in a sunflower's death, they are celebrated and cherished as new life, and the new possibilities found in the seeds that fall. Now, remember how the sunflower's growth cycle metaphorizes the circle Harry and his Sunflower are in? We're getting somewhere, I promise.

Your flowers just died is the first half we're going to focus on. What do these flowers represent? Hopes? Dreams? Something beautiful? Something that couldn't grow or bloom anymore? Possibly representing the ups and downs of life, but the two will find a way through it. The flowers died, but the plant is alive. And still the same flower. Not losing sight of who they are (GINSBERG PARALLEL).

Plant new seeds in the melody is the second half, and then we'll piece them together. In what melody? Well, in this melody! He's using this melody, this song for his Sunflower, as a reassurance (!!!) that they will get through the hardships because his devotion and adoration runs deep. And, then, put them together.

Your flowers just died, plant new seeds in the melody. When you plant the seeds gathered from the wilted sunflower and sow them into the rejuvenated ground, a new flower is reaped that'll run the cycle anew.

Let me inside, I wanna get to know you: There's no more wishing, and now a bit more agency is gained on Harry's side of things. No more wishing, no more hoping, he's here and wants this. He's begging his Sunflower to let himself, then mirroring how earlier in the same verse he said before I got to know you. It's all a circle, a cycle, that goes around and around. A big theme in this song is yearning, to me, and this line makes no exception.

[PRE-CHORUS] I don't wanna make you feel bad But I've been trying hard not to act a fool Sunflower (Sunflower, Sunflower!)

I don't wanna make you feel bad / But I've been trying hard not to act a fool: Can I just interject here to say I love his depiction of him? You know, HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE. Present eloquently in this song and others. He reiterates here how he doesn't want his Sunflower to take on guilt for anything. He doesn't want to get it wrong, he doesn't want to say something foolish, but holy shit, they are really making him lose his mind in the name of love.

Sunflower (Sunflower, Sunflower!): To be expected, we circle back around to the comforting nickname for the song's subject, his Sunflower. Reassurance vibrates each time this is brought back into the melody, with new seeds planted for hope each time. And this repetition creates a cyclical effect, which, if you haven't picked up on it, we always return to for this song.

[CHORUS 2 — ADD ON CHORUS] I couldn't want you anymore Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor I couldn't want you anymore Tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight!) I couldn't want you anymore Kids in the kitchen listen to dancehall I couldn't want you anymore Tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight!)

I couldn't want you anymore / Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor / I couldn't want you anymore / Tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight!): More repetition, specifically repetition from the chorus before. Proclaimations of love, domestic intimacy in visuals, proclaiming love again. Repetition is to circling, and circling is to a cycle, and a sunflower is part of a circle/cycle. Both the flower and his Sunflower.

Kids in the kitchen listen to dancehall: Is this a look into the future, the hope for the future he planted before? Or, is it a reference to Harry and his Sunflower themselves? A continuation of domestic visuals from the sweet kitchen we got, either interpretation has a decadent meaning to it.

Picturing kids in the future: He's planted the seeds for a future together, returning to the feeling that Harry believes that what's between the two of them is something that could last. So much so that he's picturing settling down with his Sunflower, with dance parties in the kitchen to joyous music he introduced them to, and then bringing the joy radiating from the two of them into a whole family. A beautiful concept!

The two as children: This could be a proper extension of the other visual in the first chorus, where Harry's referring to himself and his Sunflower as the "kids" in question. Kids in love, fools in love (HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE!). He just keeps on picturing domestic bliss for the two of them. Kissing and dancing in the kitchen together as he shares parts of himself, what he loves, with his Sunflower.

[BRIDGE] Sunflower, my eyes want you more than a melody Let me inside, wish I could get to know you Sunflowers just died, keep it sweet in your memory I'm still tongue-tied Sunflower, Sunflower

Sunflowers just died, keep it sweet in your memory: Even when something in life has come to a close, it doesn't mean you can't look upon it fondly, and even in death doesn't mean there can't be rebirth. With this shift from your flowers to sunflowers, it's as if he's addressing his own metaphor and symbolism. A return to the core's devotion, the romanticism of the circle of the sunflower, and the parallel circle of the relationship. Sunflowers can represent, also, spectrums of the life cycle (youth, vitality, hopefulness, etc). Even in their death, they're celebrated, as their seeds promise new life and new purpose.

Through this piece, Harry is celebrating the beginning, the middle, and even the possibility of an end to his relationship with his Sunflower. He's cherishing when they were blooming with love, immortalizing that vibrant time in these melodies. When they were growing, flowering with idyllic dreams of domesticity. But, simultaneously, he's memorializing when they ran into moments of ruin — from which I believe this song was born.

I'm still tongue-tied: A purposeful mirroring of the line I was just tongue-tied, furthermore completely that circle thing that I know I'm getting repetitive reminding you of. But it's important, okay? He still can't find the words, he feels he still can't express his devotion to its fullness, and this entire song was him trying to explain it all! And, even in the song, he finds himself stumbling. No matter how long or how short this relationship lasts with his Sunflower, he will always be tongue-tied, baffled, and a bit lovestruck (HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE). His adoration for and devotion to this person takes away all self-control, wondering, headshake in constant disbelief.

[OUTRO] Sunflower, Sunflower Sunflower, Sunflower Ayy, woo, ow Woo-woo, woo-woo (x3) Yeah! Ooh, woo, ooh Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo

Hahaha, that was so fun to type out. The outro! How it fills me with such joy! The outro mirrors the intro with the last (comprehensible) thing he says being Sunflower, Sunflower before we lean into random noises that further show, you guessed it, HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE. And it's so fun to try and sing along to, and in that, we become a fool in love right beside him. This non-verbal section, raw emotion bursting through the seams, closes off the song in a moment of euphoria. Dipping down to go into Woo-woo or, as I like to hear it, Boop-boop — which is us listening in as he plants the seeds to nurture the flower (the relationship) as we continue to spin in this circle of love and hardship. With added reassurance. And added devotion.

We return to the knowledge about sunflowers — oh boy, I'm getting annoying — and how they're celebrated in their vitality, but also in their death because of the seeds they provide, even as they wilt. Harry is symbolically planting seeds in the melody, in Sunflower, Vol. 6, to grow more, bloom more, and maybe start anew with a perspective more rounded out.

The sunflower that's fallen can rise again, celebrated in death as much as in life. Even if this euphoria with his Sunflower ends, Harry is left with seeds of knowledge — of love, affection, and devotion — that he can plant and start a rebirth and rejuvenation in himself. And even further, whether it's both theirs or something separate. The Sunflower, his Sunflower, has taught him a lot about how vibrant things can be, and how much of a fool in love he can be, even after all the moments of heartbreak and grieving that have followed him.

I stand behind my claim that Sunflower, Vol. 6 is one of Harry's most romantic and genius songs. I mean, truly. I can't picture how one could even begin to deny it — this is a boy who loves love. A fucking fool in love. And I adore him and his romanticism of devotion so badly. Told through the subtle messaging of a flower metaphor? My goodness, sign me the fuck up.

🌻Core Lyric

I believe every song has one lyric that encompasses the song as an entity. For Sunflower, Vol.6, the core lyric is:

"keep it sweet in your memory"

I chose this as the core lyric because the entire song represents reassurance and devotion, but also this sense of memorialization. Even as the relationship with his Sunflower comes to a natural end, he will take seeds with him to sow and reap the rewards of what he's learned in future relationships, yes, but also in himself alone. This song is a romantic reassurance, but it can also be heard as a tribute, as they stay in his head. Their impact remains in the back of his mind. Naturally, these are all themes already explored, but you get the picture. So, keep Sunflower, Vol. 6 sweet in your memory. Because I have the minute I heard it the first time. Now, always, in the back of my mind — and hopefully, now, yours too.

Thank you for reading, you're absolutely incredible!

If there are any songs you'd like me to make an analysis of, please send your request to my inbox! Along with any questions or insights you might have yourself!

#harry styles lyrics #harry styles lyric analysis #fine line album #sunflower vol. 6 #sunflower vol. 6 analysis #fine line album analysis #lyric analysis #harry styles #lyrical analysis #sunflower vol. 6 lyric analysis #my posts #opinion #commentary #discussion #theory #music #this song brings me so much joy

11 notes · View notes