Woman by Harry Styles Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Emotional Labyrinth of Love and Jealousy
Lyrics
La la la la la la la la (whoa)
I’m selfish, I know
But I don’t ever want to see you with him
I’m selfish, I know
I told you, but I know you never listen
I hope you can see the shape that I’m in
While he’s touching your skin
He’s right where I should, where I should be
But you’re making me bleed
Woman
Woman
La la la la la la la la
W-Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
La la la la la la la la
W-Woman
Woman
Tempted, you know
Apologies are never gonna fix this
I’m empty, I know
Promises are broken like the stitches
I hope you can see the shape I’ve been in
While he’s touching your skin
This thing upon me, howls like a beast
You flower, you feast
Woman
Woman
La la la la la la la la
W-Woman
Woman
Woman
Woman
La la la la la la la la
W-Woman
Woman
Woman!
Harry Styles, known for his enigmatic presence and lyrical prowess, dives into the complex seas of love and jealousy in his song ‘Woman.’ Released as part of his self-titled debut solo album, the track resonates with listeners through its raw emotion and vulnerability.
The song’s groove casts a spell that contrasts sharply with the turmoil expressed in the lyrics. As Styles navigates the delicate balance between admirer and rival, ‘Woman’ becomes a canvas for interpretation, painting a portrait of human desire tinged with possessiveness.
The Jealous Confessions of a Hopeless Romantic
In ‘Woman,’ Styles confesses to an all-consuming jealousy—one that he recognizes as selfish but is unable to relinquish. The lyrics, ‘I’m selfish, I know, but I don’t ever want to see you with him,’ lays bare the singer’s emotional struggle with watching someone he cares about be with another person.
The raw acknowledgement of his less-than-admirable feelings is a testament to Styles’s willingness to explore the darker shades of love. Instead of idealizing the emotion, he confronts the possessiveness that often accompanies it, giving voice to a universally human experience.
The Enigmatic Chorus – A Reflection of Internal Chaos
The repetitive chant of ‘Woman’ followed by nonsensical la la las has a hypnotic quality that suggests an attempt to distract oneself from pain. The simple yet soulful delivery turns the word into an incantation, invoking the presence of the woman at the very heart of his torment.
This contrast between the simplistic chorus and the complex feelings described in the verses mirrors the often contradictory nature of emotions in relationships, highlighting how we can simultaneously feel deeply and find ourselves at a loss for words.
The Cinematic Allusion – Setting the Scene for Heartache
The song opens with a line suggesting a casual activity—searching for romantic comedies on Netflix—which belies the underlying tension about to be uncovered. This light-hearted proposal starkly contrasts the emotional depth of the song, catching the listener off guard and priming them for the intimate revelations to come.
In juxtaposing the mundane with the profound, Styles artfully employs cinema as a metaphor for the scripted roles we play in love, only to find that the reality is much less predictable and often messier than the movies portray.
Unpacking the Song’s Hidden Meaning
‘Woman’ weaves a narrative of desiring what one can’t have and the private agony of unrequited love. Beyond the apparent jealousy, there’s a lingering sadness as Styles indulges in the bitterness of love turned sour. The chorus’s la la las serve as both a shield against and a surrender to the emotional maelstrom.
The haunting line ‘He’s right where I should, where I should be’ encapsulates a dual longing—not only for the affection of the woman but also for the place beside her, the sense of belonging and significance he believes he deserves.
Memorable Lines That Strike a Chord
Arguably, the most impact is felt through the lines ‘Tempted, you know, apologies are never gonna fix this’ and ‘Promises are broken like stitches.’ These phrases are a candid admittance of the point of no return in a fractured relationship, where neither regret nor assurances can mend what’s been torn apart.
Styles draws a powerful image with ‘This thing upon me, howls like a beast, you flower, you feast,’ blending the primitive nature of his jealousy with a sense of reverence for the woman’s power. She blooms and prospers, while his agony seems only to fuel her growth and vitality, leaving listeners to grapple with the uneven distribution of emotional consequence in love’s aftermath.
