Harry Styles is no stranger to the unpredictable. With his new single, “Lights Up” — his first release since his debut album dropped nearly two years ago — he dives straight into an outspoken era. The track’s accompanying video is more scandalous than anything he’s ever done before. He dances among a sea of half-naked bodies, bathes in dark red light, and rides on the backseat of a motorcycle through the streets of Cancún, Mexico.
The surprise drop shocked fans globally, who were not expecting the One Direction star to come back so suddenly. But Harry never does anything without an air of mystery. And when he made his return, social media blew up with fans’ craziest reactions to the beginning of HS2. Clearly, the fandom is stoked:
'harrystyles just posted a photo.'
'harrystyles added to their story'
'harrystyles tweeted a photo.'
'Harry Styles – Lights Up (VEVO)'
pic.twitter.com/wd2XwPMFcJ— den. LIGHTS UP 💡 (@hazza_eilish) October 11, 2019
RIP to anyone whos at uni, sleeping or doing anything when Harry dropped his new single #LightsUp
— NAT ◟̽◞̽ (@DomainOfLegends) October 11, 2019
half of harry’s stans when he released #LightsUp in the middle of the night pic.twitter.com/QYoZBAbS8z
— Deena 🎃🍂 (@Deenashire) October 11, 2019
Others shared their unwavering appreciation for the video—if you want to call it that.
I’ve just seen #LightsUp music video and Harry Styles let me tell you something: pic.twitter.com/23jp7bjURP
— just a poser (@AlmostCalledYou) October 11, 2019
Harry Styles:"It's about sex and being sad"
and he wasn't lying#LightsUp pic.twitter.com/qDqGgxKEeI— bárbara (@awaywithniall) October 11, 2019
I CANT DO THIS #LightsUp pic.twitter.com/fF4UurzesR
— s ◟̽◞̽ (@watevrlarry) October 11, 2019
YEAH SEX IS COOL BUT HAVE U EVER SEEN HARRY STYLES SMILE LIKE THIS IN HIS NEW LIGHTS UP MUSIC VIDEO? #LightsUp pic.twitter.com/NiMnxdtgry
— lights up liv♡’s lou (@HarrysPiojos) October 11, 2019
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BREATHE WHEN HARRY STYLES IS…HIMSELF AND I GET TO WITNESS IT FOR FREE TELL ME HOW?!!?&€ #LIGHTSUP pic.twitter.com/Mk43zvDUb5
— ⊱ 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐍 ⊰ (@guccixmedicine) October 11, 2019
Also, Twitter had a lot to say about the video and song’s release on National Coming Out Day. In the past, Harry’s been a very supportive advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, so dropping a song on this particular day makes sense.
I don’t even stan harry styles but ma that video radiates bi or pan energy and I’m living for it. also it’s absolutely beautiful? holy fuck the art and photography hoe inside me is screaming #LightsUp pic.twitter.com/yo2VzQOfOV
— ♀𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐞 ♀ (@pippabIackwelI) October 11, 2019
harry styles said bisexual rights #LightsUppic.twitter.com/hqJDAVRuGG
— cyn | lights up,,, walls (@hsxwalls) October 11, 2019
Even Styles himself liked funny tweets reacting to his highly anticipated comeback.
okay but lights up hits differently at a club @Harry_Styles pic.twitter.com/ujqpVfOLSH
— natalia LIGHTS UP (@rosynatty) October 13, 2019
me when lights up by harry styles comes on in the store pic.twitter.com/HJ9r8bY8gh
— abril (@guccibabyhoneyy) October 12, 2019
thinking about how good it will feel to scream “SHINE!” back to harry at my hslot2 show pic.twitter.com/HM6BABNt40
— sara LIGHTS UP (@hsIotfilm) October 13, 2019
yes I have been streaming lights up for 24 hours straight now it’s the highest form of self care pic.twitter.com/Q7LfTuLph9
— haley (@douknowhoyouare) October 13, 2019
For the most part, social media collectively freaked out over Styles’s new music. The outcome? Dedicated Styles fans exposing themselves in the most hilarious ways possible. Just see for yourself!
someone: "you alright?”
me: "haha yeah, i’m fine."my headphones:
#LightsUp by Harry Styles
0:56 ━━❍─────── -2:56
↻ ⊲ Ⅱ ⊳ ↺
Volume: ▁▂▃▄▅▆▇ 100— vampol 🦇 (@hashiiras) October 11, 2019
. @Harry_Styles pic.twitter.com/UiDCIeHF99
— Harry Styles Updates. (@TheHSUpdate) October 11, 2019
im gonna say this shit in british just in case harry styles sees this.
"Luv you absolutley smashed that record luv like ive rightfully creamed my trousers luv xx madness luv xx"— enya (@en_jajaja) October 11, 2019
Harry styles- Lights Up (oficial video)
▶️–•—————————— 0:01
Harrie’s: #LightsUppic.twitter.com/4j6IKiRSvM
— Day.🍓 (@Dxystyles) October 11, 2019
#LightsUp HAS REACHED NEARLY 3 MILLION VIEWS IN JUST 8 HOURS WHO THE FUCK IS DOING IT LIKE MR HARRY STYLES
pic.twitter.com/ogi8ES2HI6— αιѕнα #walls (@ltrockin) October 11, 2019
harry styles knowing damn well he’s just ended everyone’s music careers and sending everyone into meltdowns over #LightsUp
pic.twitter.com/90h4FpsKG8— 𝐬𝐚𝐦 ◟̽◞̽ (@wigscanfly) October 11, 2019
me yesterday: me today:#LightsUp pic.twitter.com/gZl2BUBvVg
— 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞 🕷 𝐃𝐘𝐊𝐖𝐘𝐀 (@darksoulknj) October 11, 2019
If you don’t go this hard to #LightsUp by Harry Styles we can’t be friends pic.twitter.com/noIcwXyV3h
— STREAM LIGHTS UP (@StreaamLightsup) October 12, 2019
Whether you like Styles’ new single or not, we think we can all agree that his return, at the very least, has been super entertaining. Perhaps the best part about an artist like Styles returning to the spotlight are the loyal fan reactions. Their unadulterated joy makes surprise music drops all the more enjoyable — and we can’t wait to see more.
Featured image: Columbia Records
