Harry Styles Reveals Inspiration Behind “Carla’s Song”

Harry Styles recently shared the story behind “Carla’s Song,” the closing track on his album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. The song, a deeply personal piece, is named after a friend, Carla, who played a pivotal role in reigniting Styles’ passion for music.

The Power of a First Listen

Styles explained to Lowe that Carla became “the most important part of the entire record” for him. The song, he said, helped him understand “why I make music and why I love performing.” He recalled a moment when Carla discovered Paul Simon’s music, specifically Bridge Over Troubled Water, and the profound impact it had on her.

A Moment of Connection Through Music

Styles shared that he and Carla were with a group of friends before an after-party when she revealed she had just discovered Paul Simon. Having grown up listening to Simon & Garfunkel – particularly Bridge Over Troubled Water while living in a pub – Styles decided to share the album with her.

“Watching her listen to that song for the first time was like watching someone discover something magical,” Styles recounted. He realized that creating music is about crafting songs that resonate deeply with listeners, songs that can become a lasting part of their lives.

From Simon & Garfunkel to “Carla’s Song”

Inspired by the moment, Styles also played Carla another Simon & Garfunkel song, “Kathy’s Song,” which directly inspired the title “Carla’s Song.” The experience reinforced for Styles the special nature of music creation – the potential for a song to profoundly impact someone’s life.

The Essence of Making Music

“That’s all, really,” Styles concluded. “It’s more than enough. I don’t inquire for anything more.”

Listen to “Carla’s Song” by Harry Styles here.

Lyrics to “Carla’s Song”:

There is a bridge that leads to troubled waters
If you know, then you know
If you don’t, then you don’t, it’s heavenly
From your head to your toes
Saw the light and the gold that you discover
Through your eyes, in awe, melodies like a tide
It’s all waiting there for you
It’s all waiting there for you
Can you hear that voice
Delivering the news?
It’s all waiting there for you
Ignorance or innocence
Call it what you wanna
You’ve been a baby sleeping upon a candy bar
Till your eyes open on the changing summer light
It’s all waiting there for you
Can you hear that voice
Delivering the news?
It’s all waiting there for you
It’s all waiting there for you
Call it what you wanna
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, I know I can read your mind
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, I know I can read your mind
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime
It’s all waiting there for you
It’s all waiting there for you
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, I know I can read your mind
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, I know I can read your mind (It’s all there waiting for you)
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, I know I can read your mind (It’s all there waiting)
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime (It’s all there waiting for you)
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, I know I can read your mind
I know what you like, I know what you’ll really like
I know what you like, you can hear it anytime