Few songs capture that ache of change as instantly as the opening synth of Harry Styles’ “As It Was.” Released on April 1, 2022, it became the lead single from his third album Harry’s House and spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. From writing credits to 2026 tour details, here’s what you need to know about Styles’ biggest hit.

Release date: April 1, 2022 ·
Album: Harry’s House ·
Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: 1 (15 weeks) ·
Peak position on UK Singles Chart: 1 (15 weeks) ·
Streams on Spotify (as of 2025): Over 2.5 billion ·
Certification in the US: 4× Platinum (RIAA)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Eight facts define the track’s identity, from its creators to its RIAA certification.

Specification Detail
Artist Harry Styles
Album Harry’s House
Release Date April 1, 2022
Length 2:47
Label Erskine / Columbia
Writers Harry Styles, Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon
Producers Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon
Certification (US) 4× Platinum (RIAA)

The implication: this table condenses a career-defining single into eight data points, each backed by industry-recognized sources.

Did Harry Styles write As It Was?

Who wrote the song As It Was?

Did Harry Styles co-write As It Was?

Yes. The song was not handed to him; Styles was in the room from the start. He collaborated with his regular producers Tyler Johnson and Kid Harpoon in the studio (Rolling Stone). The trio previously worked on tracks from Fine Line.

The implication: Styles remains hands-on with his songwriting, giving him creative ownership over his biggest solo hit.

What is Harry Styles’ most famous song?

Is As It Was Harry Styles’ biggest hit?

  • “As It Was” is widely considered his most famous song (The Guardian).
  • It reached #1 in 28 countries, including the US and UK (Billboard).

How did As It Was perform on the charts?

The song held #1 on the UK Singles Chart for 15 weeks and became the most streamed song on Spotify globally in 2022 (Billboard). As of 2025, it has over 2.5 billion streams on Spotify.

Why this matters

“As It Was” outsold every other 2022 single in the UK and gave Styles his second Hot 100 #1 after “Watermelon Sugar.” For a pop star building a legacy, one song defines the era – and this is his.

The trade-off: while “Watermelon Sugar” won him a Grammy, “As It Was” is the track that turned him into a streaming giant.

What is Harry Styles’ 2026 setlist?

Is Harry Styles having a tour in 2026?

Yes. Styles announced a new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. and a world tour for 2026 (Harry Styles official site). A date is scheduled for May 26, 2026 at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam (setlist.fm).

What is the theme for Harry Styles 2026 concert?

  • The new album leans toward disco and dance influences (official site).
  • Setlist data includes tracks like “Aperture”, “American Girls”, and “Kiwi” (setlist.fm).

What songs are on the 2026 setlist?

While subject to change, the intended setlist combines songs from the new album with past hits. “As It Was” is expected to be a centerpiece, though not yet confirmed in the publicly surfaced setlists.

What to watch

Fans attending the Amsterdam show should expect an elaborate, disco-themed production. If “As It Was” gets a remix for the dancefloor, it could become the anthem of the tour.

The catch: tour details are still emerging. Setlist changes are common once the tour begins, so early predictions may shift.

What is Harry Styles gender identity?

Has Harry Styles discussed his gender identity publicly?

  • Harry Styles has not publicly identified as anything other than cisgender male (The Guardian).
  • The so-called “semibisexual” announcement is a satirical meme, not a real statement.

Why did Harry dump Olivia?

Styles and Olivia Wilde ended their relationship amicably in 2022. Neither party has disclosed specific reasons, and both have moved on professionally.

Why this matters: personal privacy is a scarce resource for global pop stars. Styles’ silence on these topics is intentional – he keeps fans’ focus on the music, not his private life.

Who is richer, Zayn or Harry?

Harry Styles net worth vs Zayn Malik net worth

How did each accumulate wealth after One Direction?

Both earned from music sales, tours, and endorsements. Styles’ higher recent earnings come from his multi-platinum albums and the 2021–2023 Love On Tour, which grossed more than $200 million.

The paradox

For former One Direction members, the “richer” title is nearly a tie. But Styles’ ability to sustain chart dominance keeps his trajectory – and his bank account – climbing faster.

The implication: a $5 million gap is narrow in pop-star terms. Both are set for life, but Styles’ 2026 tour could widen the lead.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Harry Styles co-wrote “As It Was”
  • “As It Was” was the lead single from Harry’s House
  • The song spent 15 weeks at #1 in the UK
  • Harry Styles has a new album and tour planned for 2026

What’s unclear

  • Exact setlist for 2026 tour is still fluid
  • Harry Styles has not stated his gender identity publicly
  • Specific reasons for split with Olivia Wilde remain private

Quotes

“I wanted to write a song that felt like a celebration of being present.”

Harry Styles, via Genius, a lyrics annotation platform

“Change, nostalgia, and emotional dislocation after a relationship or life transition.”

The Guardian, a UK news outlet

“As It Was” is not just Harry Styles’ biggest song – it’s the anchor of his live show and the track that defines his post-One Direction era. For fans waiting for the 2026 tour, the choice is clear: keep streaming the hit that changed his career, or risk falling behind on the dance-ready era coming next.

Additional sources

readdork.com, open.spotify.com

Frequently asked questions

How long is the song ‘As It Was’?

The track runs 2 minutes and 47 seconds.

Who directed the music video for ‘As It Was’?

The video was directed by Tanu Muino and released on April 1, 2022 (Harry Styles official YouTube).

Is ‘As It Was’ about Harry Styles’ personal life?

Styles has not specified a single subject. The lyrics reflect themes of change and nostalgia, which could relate to relationships or life transitions (The Guardian).

What awards did ‘As It Was’ win?

It won Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2023 Grammys and Song of the Year at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV VMAs).

Did ‘As It Was’ break any records?

Yes – it was the most-streamed song globally on Spotify in 2022 and had the longest run at #1 on the UK Singles Chart for a single by a male artist in 2022 (Billboard).

What key is ‘As It Was’ in?

The song is written in the key of F major.

Is ‘As It Was’ available on vinyl?

Yes. It was released as a 7-inch vinyl single and also appears on the Harry’s House LP.