Treat People With Kindness

"Treat People With Kindness" is a direct and powerful anthem centered on the principles of empathy, acceptance, and universal love. The song's meaning is explicitly stated in its title, serving as a mantra for compassion in human interaction. It advocates for the creation of safe, positive spaces where individuals can feel good and be themselves without judgment. The lyrics are a call to action, encouraging listeners to contribute to a better world through simple acts of kindness.

The song can be interpreted as a vision for an ideal society where mutual respect is the norm. Phrases like "Maybe, we can find a place to feel good" suggest a yearning for a collective sanctuary from the negativity and division of the world. It's a message of hope and unity, implying that through collective effort, such a place can be realized. Some interpretations also view the song through the lens of queer liberation, where "finding a place to feel good" and the emphasis on belonging resonate deeply with the search for safe and affirming communities.

The line "And if our friends all pass away, it's okay" has been noted for its surprising inclusion in an otherwise cheerful song. Rather than being morbid, it suggests a profound level of resilience and acceptance. It posits that the commitment to kindness should persist even through immense grief and loss, offering a way to navigate sorrow by focusing on a positive, overarching purpose.

The song begins with a hopeful and inviting proposition, suggesting the possibility of finding a shared space of happiness and positivity where kindness prevails. It is a collective call to action, a gentle plea for a better world. The narrator expresses a profound sense of optimism, a feeling of being weightless and dreamy, as if surrendering to a positive current. This sensation is likened to "floating up and dreamin'" and "droppin' into the deep end," indicating a full immersion in this joyful state of being.

There's a sense of shared destiny and eventual recognition; the lyrics suggest that with perseverance and time, this community of kind-hearted people will be celebrated and find their place of belonging. The core message is reiterated: the goal is to discover a sanctuary of good feelings, underscored by the principle of treating everyone with kindness. This isn't just a fleeting idea but a tangible goal.

The second verse builds on this foundation of positivity, emphasizing themes of forgiveness and self-acceptance. The narrator doesn't claim to have all the answers but finds contentment and confidence—"feeling good in my skin"—through the simple, liberating act of dancing. The idea of collective belonging is reinforced, suggesting that with time, it will become clear that this positive world is for everyone.

The bridge introduces a moment of poignant reflection. It acknowledges the transient nature of life and the inevitability of loss, stating, "if our friends all pass away, it's okay." This seemingly jarring line is not one of dismissal, but rather of radical acceptance and resilience in the face of sorrow. It suggests that even in grief, the foundational pursuit of kindness and a good place can provide solace and continuity. This moment of contemplation quickly transitions back into an exuberant, communal call to action, almost like a celebratory march forward.

The song culminates in a joyful, chant-like repetition, with call-and-response elements like "All together now!" and "One more time!" This transforms the song from a personal reflection into a powerful, collective anthem. It's a final, emphatic invitation for everyone to join in creating a world defined by mutual respect and shared joy, a place where everyone can truly feel good.

The phrase "Treat People With Kindness" became Harry Styles' personal slogan long before it became a song. Starting in 2017, during his first solo tour, Styles began sporting a badge on his guitar strap with the acronym "TPWK" and soon started selling merchandise with the full phrase to promote a message of love and acceptance. The slogan was created organically and quickly adopted by his fanbase as a mantra.

Inspired by the positive reception and the community that formed around this message, Styles decided to write a song with the same title. The track was the last one written for his 2019 album, Fine Line. It was co-written by Styles, Jeff Bhasker, and Ilsey Juber. Bhasker, a Grammy-winning producer known for his work with artists like Kanye West and Mark Ronson, also produced the track.

Styles mentioned that he was encouraged by a David Bowie interview where Bowie spoke about doing one's best work when feeling artistically uncomfortable or on the edge. This inspired Styles to lean into the song's unique, show-tune-like quality, even though it initially made him unsure.

The recording took place at EastWest Studio in Los Angeles and Diamond Mine Studios in Queens, NY. The song features a rich, layered sound with instrumentation from notable musicians including Laurence Juber (Ilsey Juber's father and former guitarist for Wings) on guitar, and members of the Daptone Records funk/soul scene. A key element of the song's sound is the powerful backing vocals, prominently featuring Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of the indie-pop duo Lucius, as well as members of the Sunday Service Choir.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Treat People With Kindness" are crafted to create an accessible, uplifting, and easy-to-sing-along-to experience.

Rhyme Scheme: The song predominantly uses a simple AABB rhyme scheme in its verses, such as "I'm just takin' it all in / Droppin' into the deep end" and "I don't need all the answers / I just keep on dancin'". This straightforward structure gives the lyrics a classic, nursery-rhyme-like quality, making them catchy and memorable, which is fitting for an anthemic song with a clear message.

Rhythm and Tempo: The song maintains a consistently upbeat and driving tempo. The rhythm is built on a foundation of prominent drums, congas, and a striding piano part, creating a beat that encourages clapping and dancing. The rhythmic feel is reminiscent of 60s and 70s rock and pop, contributing to its joyous and celebratory mood. The interplay between the steady musical rhythm and the syncopated, often conversational, vocal rhythm gives the song a dynamic and spontaneous energy, especially in the call-and-response sections.

"Treat People With Kindness" is notable for its distinctive retro musical style and theatrical arrangement.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The song blends elements of 1960s and 70s pop, rock and roll, retro-soul, and gospel. This creates a nostalgic, feel-good atmosphere that is both grand and celebratory.
• Gospel Choir and Call-and-Response: The prominent use of a gospel choir (featuring Lucius and the Sunday Service Choir) is a key stylistic choice. This, combined with call-and-response vocals ("All together now!", "One more time!"), fosters a sense of communal participation and transforms the song into an anthem meant to be sung along to by a large crowd.
• Instrumentation: The arrangement includes a lively rhythm section with congas, a driving piano line, and a string quartet, which adds a layer of classic show-tune grandiosity to the track.
• Vocal Delivery: Harry Styles' vocal performance is energetic and charismatic, acting as a master of ceremonies leading the joyful procession. The shared lead vocals with the female singers from Lucius create a sense of equality and partnership, reinforcing the song's theme of unity.

Literary Techniques:

• Repetition: The constant repetition of the title phrase and the chorus drills the central message into the listener's mind, making it a memorable and effective mantra.
• Direct Address: The use of phrases like "All together now!" directly engages the audience, breaking the fourth wall and inviting them to be part of the movement the song champions.

"Treat People With Kindness" has had a significant cultural impact, extending beyond its status as a song to become a central tenet of Harry Styles' artistic identity and fandom.

Mantra and Merchandise: The phrase "TPWK" originated on Styles' 2017 tour merchandise and evolved into a widely recognized slogan promoting love and acceptance. Styles has used TPWK merchandise to raise significant funds for various charities, including GLSEN, the WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, and Choose Love, linking the song's message to tangible philanthropic action.

Music Video: The black-and-white music video, released on New Year's Day 2021, became a cultural event. It features a widely praised, joyfully choreographed dance number between Styles and actress/writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The video's aesthetic, inspired by classic 1940s Hollywood musicals like Stormy Weather, and its subversion of traditional gender roles in the dance sequence were noted by critics. It was seen as a hopeful and celebratory message to start a new year after the difficulties of 2020.

Live Performances: The song has become a fan-favorite highlight of Styles' live shows. During performances, the audience often sings along loudly and participates in a spontaneous conga line, fully embodying the song's spirit of communal joy. It serves as a moment of unity and celebration of the inclusive community Styles has fostered.

Critical Reception: While adored by fans, critical reception for the song itself was mixed. Some critics praised its feel-good nature, while others found it overly simplistic or accused it of "virtue signalling."

While "Treat People With Kindness" is largely direct in its messaging, it employs some subtle metaphors to enhance its themes of hope and liberation.

• Finding a Place to Feel Good: This recurring phrase functions as a central metaphor for a utopian ideal—a state of being or a community where acceptance, safety, and joy are the norm. It's not just a physical location but an emotional and psychological sanctuary that can be built through collective action and kindness.
• "Floating up and dreamin' / Droppin' into the deep end": This couplet uses the metaphor of water to describe a feeling of joyous surrender and immersion. "Floating" suggests a carefree, dreamlike state of optimism, while "dropping into the deep end" represents a wholehearted commitment to this positive mindset, letting go of fear and hesitation.
• Dancing: The line "I just keep on dancin'" symbolizes freedom, self-expression, and resilience. In the context of the song, dancing is a metaphor for navigating life's challenges with a positive and unburdened spirit, finding contentment within oneself regardless of external circumstances.

The most significant recurring motif in the song is the titular phrase, "Treat people with kindness." This line functions as the song's central thesis, chorus, and call to action. Its repetition turns it into a powerful mantra, reinforcing the core message of the song and Styles' broader personal brand.

Another key recurring phrase is "Find a place to feel good." This line is almost always paired with the main mantra. It frames the act of kindness not just as a moral duty, but as a means to a tangible, desirable end: the creation of a joyful and safe environment for everyone. Its repetition emphasizes the ultimate goal of the song's philosophy.

The participatory exclamations like "All together now!" and "One more time!" serve as a recurring musical motif. These phrases, delivered with infectious enthusiasm, are hooks that break the fourth wall, explicitly inviting the listener to join in the singing and the sentiment. They are crucial to establishing the song's communal, anthemic feel.