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Watermelon Sugar High: Harry Styles at the Intersection of Pop and Cool

Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” is more than just an easy summer hit; it’s an embodiment of his natural charisma and versatility as an artist. Upon its release, the song’s infectious, feel-good energy made it an instant favorite. Yet, the true magic of “Watermelon Sugar” lies not only in its catchy, radio-friendly refrain but in the way Styles brings his unique flavor to the track, demonstrating a depth that elevates it beyond the realm of the typical pop anthem.

A Vocal Swagger That’s Effortless

Styles’ vocal performance in “Watermelon Sugar” showcases a maturity and confidence reminiscent of icons like Robert Palmer, but with a contemporary edge that feels distinctly his. His ability to blend vintage influences—such as the soul-infused pop of the ‘70s—with modern pop sensibilities sets him apart from his peers. His voice is rich with texture, managing to capture the playful essence of the song while delivering it with a laid-back, seductive cool. This is Harry at his most comfortable, a far cry from the high-energy performances of his One Direction days, yet equally captivating.

The Unmistakable Stage Presence

When Harry Styles performs, there’s no denying his ability to hold a crowd in the palm of his hand. His stage presence combines the bold, sensual swagger of Mick Jagger with the effortless cool of artists like David Bowie. Fans of Styles will often compare his movements and persona to rock icons of the past, but there’s a softness to his persona that sets him apart. Styles isn’t just about grand gestures; he exudes a confidence that comes from knowing who he is and what he brings to the table—something rare in today’s music scene.

Live, “Watermelon Sugar” transforms into an even more infectious celebration, where Harry’s interaction with the crowd is as much a part of the performance as the song itself. He’s been noted for his kindness and appreciation of his fans, often pausing to connect with individuals in the audience. His shows are celebratory, safe spaces, and fans adore him not only for his talent but for the way he makes them feel seen and heard. In a way, his onstage persona, while influenced by rock legends, is defined by a more modern sense of empathy and openness.

More Than Just a Pop Star

Styles’ acting debut in Dunkirk also added layers to his public persona, proving that his talents extend beyond music. In the film, he delivered a nuanced, understated performance that surprised critics. There’s a parallel to be drawn between this performance and his approach to music—both rely on subtlety, rather than spectacle, to leave a lasting impression. His portrayal in Dunkirk was free of ego, focusing on the ensemble rather than standing out, which mirrors the way his music often prioritizes the song over individual glory.

Conclusion: An Artist of the Moment

“Watermelon Sugar” encapsulates Harry Styles’ multifaceted appeal. Yes, it’s a fun, breezy summer anthem, but beneath that, it reveals the work of an artist comfortable in his skin—an artist who isn’t afraid to be both playful and profound. He blends swagger with sincerity, good looks with genuine kindness, and the old-school rockstar vibe with a refreshingly modern perspective.

With this song, Styles cements his place as one of today’s most dynamic performers, and much like his influences before him, he is an artist whose cultural impact will only continue to grow.

The reason this guilty pleasure is so damn great is not the, pop easy summer hit refrain, but rather the Harry Styles comfortable swagger and incredible vocal. You must concede the kid is talented and he is truly Keanu Reeves cool to his fans and strangers alike.  Clearly this young man has Jagger swagger good looks but he is also a very decent man raised to treat all with respect.  Comparisons could be made to the stage presence of Robert Palmer mixed with the hip movements of Sir Michael Jagger.  BTW:  It should have been Harry Styles playing Jagger in the new made for Amazon series about the lifelong relationship between Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger. The actor playing him is missing the feral rock star Pan boy aura of the original UK singer.

Paul

CoolMedia Magazine editor and chief, Cool Media, LLC

Watermelon washing ashore on ocean beach by william bout on Unsplash

Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar (Later… With Jools Holland)

Harry Styles performs Watermelon Sugar on Later… with Jools Holland, BBC Two

Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar Live At iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020 (Best Quality) Quality Components

Our Cool Media, LLC team of YouTube researchers thought until today they had combed all of the live versions of Watermelon Sugar High by H.S. available on the platform until this version floated logrimithically up. Here we find ourselves slightly addicted to Watermelon Sugar High, not the substance nor metaphor (see oral sex and SEX in general) rather the pop song. Harry Styles can sing as proven by these softly produced, no signs of auto tuners, versions. Most leads in boy bands that go solo have some chops (see Justin Timberlake and the one married to a beautiful Indian cuisine writer/actor) Harry has proven he also can act with character believability (see verisimilitude) see feature film Dunkirk.

 

Harry Styles – Sign Of The Times (in the Live Lounge)

Harry Styles performs Sign Of The Times in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
Licensed to YouTube by UMPI, LatinAutor – UMPG, Pulse Recording (music publishing), UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA – UBEM, LatinAutorPerf, IMPEL, UMPG Publishing, BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., Abramus Digital, LatinAutor – PeerMusic, CMRRA, BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, and 15 Music Rights Societies
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Harry Styles: “Watermelon Sugar” | 2021 GRAMMY Awards Show Performance

Watch Harry Styles’ performance of “Watermelon Sugar” at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards.

Rudimental – Come Over (feat. Anne-Marie) [Official Acoustic]

Anne Marie

Anne-Marie | Watermelon Sugar (Harry Styles Cover) | Live Lounge Month 2020

 

The problem when you conduct a deep dive on a particular song/artist is that you linger long searching on YouTube that you end up in the cover category.  Generally, this is listening once and leaving it alone section, except when you come across such an original artist as Anne-Marie.   Damn, she is too young to interpret the essence of a song so well and then convey it with as much or even more force than the original artist.  Perhaps this song is so insipidly good that it needed the female touch.  Harry Styles understands this and backs it up with strong female band personnel choices.  The song is obviously about pleasuring or giving pleasure in summer to women, right? Not to swallow too many watermelon seeds in the telling but the sexual references are overtly obvious-Watermelon Sugar High.

Anne Marie, Singer
Anne Marie
Anne Marie
Anne Marie
Anne Marie, Vocalist

Anne-Marie – To Be Young [Performance Video]

Lyrics: They tell me I should make a plan for life All I’m thinking bout, is what to do tonight Hundred miles an hour no headlights On an open road, oh We do what we can to dull the pain Pinky promise things will stay the same Even when I’m old I’ll know your name Anywhere we go, oh Dye my hair a million colours Dream I’ll make a billion dollars I swear that day can’t come soon enough In the meantime, we just Fall in love, broken heart Break the rules, drink too much We’re all a mess, but I guess This is what it feels like to be young Take a punch, get back up Act a fool, give a fuck We’re are all a mess, but I guess This is what it feels like to be young Small town and we’re drinking all the liquor Every night trying to feel something bigger Hotboxing the car in the winter We don’t wanna go home And I’ll dye my hair a million colours Dream I’ll make a billion dollars I swear that day can’t come soon enough In the meantime, we just Fall in love, broken heart Break the rules, drink too much We’re all a mess, but I guess This is what it feels like to be young Take a punch, get back up Act a fool, give a fuck We’re all a mess, but I guess This is what it feels like to be young This can’t be real life, don’t even feel high Maybe if you’ll take one with me then it’ll feel right Don’t want to know what standing still would even feel like Wanted to fit in when I didn’t, now I know And I just want freedom, can’t be lonely Heartless, hopeful, stupid, phoney Say they love me, but won’t show me Guess this is how it feels like to be young Fall in love, broken heart Break the rules, drink too much We’re all a mess, but I guess This is what it feels like to be young Take a punch, get back up Act a fool, give a fuck We’re all a mess, but I guess This is what it feels like to be young Ya oh oh ho, ya oh oh ho This is what it feels like to be young, be young This is what it feels like to be young

Anne-Marie – Extended Set (Live at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball 2019)

Anne-Marie signaled the start of the final night of the 2019 Jingle Bell Ball, opening the show at London’s O2 with a smash-hit-filled performance of her biggest hits, including ‘FRIENDS’, ‘2002’ and ‘Ciao Adios.’

Harry Styles in video