Video Editor Reacts to Harry Styles - Sign of the Times 

Imagine coming out of the gate with this as your first single and your first music video! There is some behind the scenes in his documentary “Behind the Album”. There may be a behind the scenes too, not sure. He had a prosthetic face made in case they had to use a stuntman but he ended up doing it all himself. You never know what to expect from him, which I love. Thanks for this one!

He was told he’d only be lifted so high before the shoot and they kept asking him, “What about this next height?” And he kept agreeing to give it a go. He was really up there. Yeah, the words are devastatingly on target re us humans.

They made a stunt man mask but that was only if they didn't hang a million dollar pop star from a helicopter. But he wanted to do it all himself. It was great. You MUST SEE the behind the scenes of this

In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2017, Harry Styles said: “‘Sign of the Times’ came from ‘This isn’t the first time we’ve been in a hard time, and it’s not going to be the last time’. The song is written from a point of view as if a mother was giving birth to a child and there’s a complication. The mother is told, ‘The child is fine, but you’re not going to make it.’ The mother has five minutes to tell the child, ‘Go forth and conquer." I feel he expanded this song to be an anthem for the concerns of a generation that is "running from the bullets" and that we need to connect more by 'talking more' about our genuine feelings. In the same interview he said "Most of the stuff that hurts me about what’s going on at the moment is (beyond politics) Equal rights. For everyone, all races, sexes, everything…” Thanks for an amazing video review, for explaining the camera and cinematography and how it matches the song lyrics!

"Will we ever learn...we've been here before...it's just what we know" We die and are born again to go through the circle of life in order to learn more lessons. Such a deep, emotional song. Great reaction vid! Thank you!

YESSSSS I was waiting for this one. The look on your face as he launched into the sky was 100 percent worth the wait. 😂

I am living for your reactions. It's opened up a whole new way to experience my favorite music.

I still fet nervous when i watch this because he did it all himself! He said the whole time he was doi h it, he couldn't wait to get down! Poor Harry, he is so professional & did such an amazing job!!!

I absolutely love all the little details in the frame and the connection with the lyrics you pointed out. This is such a beautiful song, and screaming "we got to get away" is such a cathartic feeling! It's even better with thousands of other people, if you get a chance to go to one of his shows please do!

I appreciate this song so much more now I've seen it live at Wembley Stadium, UK. The fireworks everything was UNREAL!

I said it before, i'll say it again. Behind the Album please ☺So many of the questions would have been answered but I see the other comments already answered some. edit: but thanks for the reaction, it's insightful as always 💞

Really enjoyed you talking about degrees of Kelvin and how they moved the camera rather than a rack focus. Plus your notes about the clouds and the angles of shots and how they fit the song. I think this video is much like his songs - some will occasionally say they are repetitive, but if you are listening or watching carefully the details show more subtle changes or texture levels that have been added as it moves to the next phase. I relish the details, so I enjoy both the music and the visuals.

The behind the scenes of this one is great to see, he is actually hanging on a rope from a helicopter! There was a stuntman with a Harry mask, but it looks as if he did this majority himself

Thank you so much for the reaction . Yes he does his stunts . There was a body double but for some reason it didn’t work out . If you are interested , there is a behind the album thing they did and you can see the behind the scenes for it .

Thank you so much for doing this video. I’ve been following all your Harry styles reactions. Would you believe that’s just for single as a solo artist and first video that this video and song got no official recognition? I believe this video it’s videographers producers and all else to film this should have been absolutely recognized. What do you think? Thanks again and I’ll definitely be back.❤✌️☀️🔥

I'm like 3/4 of your video in and I just have to comment because so far you've been spot on with every detail, man. You truly do know your shit. It's the first time someone reacts to this video and actually gets everything right 1. Is it about death? Yes. He said the song is about a mother dying in childbirth and as she's dying she tells her child "go forth and conquer." I personally think it was also inspired by one of his friends' who committed suicide in 2016. The song has a lot of religious themes and he said it was also inspired in the hardships of life and society attempting to be more progressive. This friend was Mormon and he committed suicide because he was gay. There's obviously more to it, but his suicide note was published and he explains mostly that. His name was Matt Irwin, he was a photographer Harry loved a lot. You can google details if you want. He passed away in May 2016 and this song was written shortly after. Harry has talked about how important communicating with his friends is now, and in light of the bridge of this song "we don't talk enough, we should open up, before it's all too much." Matt said in his suicide letter that he didn't know how to ask for help, and Harry said he felt guilt because he didn't ask if he needed it. 2. Was it shot in Scotland? Yes. Was it in the Island of Skye? Yes. Spot on lol 3. There's no green screen. Nope, not a bit. It's all practical. 4. He's being lifted by a harness. Yes. They cut a hole in his Gucci coat and put a harness in him 5. He's dangling from a helicopter. Yes. Yes he is. And the long shots were also taken from a helicopter. He was dangling 1,550 feet up in the air. They did build a mask for a stunt double, but Harry said it looked creepy so he did it himself. The director was Woodkid. There's a whole behind the scenes of this video on his documentary for Apple Music "Behind the album." You can even see his manager shitting himself with fear about the stunt. He did have a lot of fun filming the video, he was smiling a ton between shots.

I already loved the video and absolutely adore the song, but your analysis and reaction brought so much more depth to it that I'm watching this video with different eyes now. Thank you for this! ❤

Love your reactions to Harry:))

absolutely loved your inputs, made me appreciate this mv even more. You should watch the bts, they kept increasing the heights harry'd have to go and while he was laughing his manager (who's also one of his best friends) was absolutely freaking out hahhaha And lastly, this song is absolutely incredible, Rolling Stone was right for naming it one of the best songs of all times.

This song always reminds me of Prince, not just because of his Sign O The Times album/single, but sound-wise it's reminiscent of Purple Rain and also Bowie. The lyrics could easily hint towards both Bowie and Prince who passed a year before he released this song.

Love this song and video sooo much! If you have never been, you need to go to the Scottish Highlands. They are exactly as pictured here, every corner looks like it should be in a movie (a sad one usually).

Loved the video and all the points that you talked about thank you for the reaction

My first time watching some of your takes on his videos. I am having so much fun watching you discover the wonderfulness that is Harry Styles! Soon you'll be a bonafide "Harry" just like us! Welcome to the club!🎶💕🤗🎉

I don’t know how I missed this one!! My absolute fave Harry song. The words are so deep & I cry a lot to this one. Love love love your reaction to this 😊

I would love it if you reacted to Harry Styles, the making of Daylight, they do it in 3 hours for $300, with the Late show with James Corden. It is so good, and hilarious! Great reaction.

The first location they attempted a crane and it wasn’t going high enough, so they brought in a helicopter. He was not letting ANYONE else do these stunts. You also were correct, there were two helicopters one lifting and one filming. Those close up shots they did on the ground with him standing on a balancing ball (to create a little instability).

It’s absolutely beautiful and made me cry live earlier this year. Very special ❤

Thank you for your reaction!

We love the rainbow effect too! xx

I love your reaction to this video and your interpretation and giving us the insight on how these are done Thankyou ❤

I don't have much to say that everyone else hasn't already said, so thank you again ♥️

Yes, it is Scotland Skye island to be more specific

I see people told you about the bts of this video but there are bot on harrys yt. They were included in the behind the scenes ofnthe entire album which is something like a small documentary that you can find if you search on yourube ( the bts of this mv are at the end)

Awesome!! 🎉

Finally, finally, finally a professional appreciates this video. Thanks. Aside from the great song... framing is everything. Even if it seems easy... to let this singer sway in the heights, at the right time, with perfect feathering... And I especially like the shot in which you can see the turbulence of the helicopter. Because that shows that it is practical and not a blue or green screen recording. I love your reaction. Your explanations and your expertise. Thanks. Thumbs up... and i definitely subscribe

I’d really like to see you do Kiwi. I really excited to see your reaction not just to the video but to the song as well. I am loving your channel.

He was hanging from 1 helicopter and then a second helicopter for the camera. You are correct. Like many other suggested watch the bahind the album and the bys for the video is there 🙂. Love all yohr comments!

The song and video give me goosebumps

Youve given me a new love for this video.

When I first saw this video I thought it was a Harry Potter video!

This is what I dream of. Flying. And Joy.

yes it was a crane they used 😊

KIWI NEXT PLEASE

was inspired by a mother who is told she only has a few minutes to live after giving birth. 2:35

The "we" in this is the same "we" that's in all of his other videos (As It Was, Golden, Falling, Adore You etc) and most songs. Welcome to the final show (ending of 1D into a solo career). They're being told (by the powers that be) they look really good at this level but don't get a big head..because you ain't that good (think Sushi Restaurant) you're crap without us to get you to the sky of the entertainment industry. His "sun" or the other half of his "we" is always with him, whether figuratively, physically, hidden (see aforementioned videos). Why are "we" always stuck? Why are "we" always running from the bullets? Going into their solo careers, they're facing many of the same bullets (situations, stunts, industry crap) that they faced before... when are they goig to learn to do it differently? They're being told to just stop their crying... have the time of your life while your star rises because of us... it is what it is... Do what you have to do... do what they say... they (industry executives etc) otherwise, they're gonna be over with if they don't do what they say... basically, they're no good without the powers that be and their careers will be over so this "we" should just enjoy their rise to fame despite the closeting and bullets and pitfalls and industry hell and they've been toold this crap since the beginnning...when will "we" learn... because they always find themselves back in this position of wanting to open up, be themselves, but any inch in that direction calls in the bullets. This is about "we" but it also applies to many other artists in the entertainment industry. I could keep going with the rest of the lyrics but if you listen to the rest of the song from this perspective, it's all becomes very clear. Ps... definitely not about a mother, child or physical death. I'll only add, that note how happy he is at points while "flying" high and in the upper atmousphere of his career. He does love aspects of it with a passion. It's hard to give all of that up.

Actually the birds disappear a little sooner than they should. But who’s complaining .. not me lol I was amazed watching the making of this video

HEY !:) found your channel very lately and enjoy it very much ever since 🙈 Do you take recommendations? If you do, I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts on some Panic! At The Disco videos : The trilogy (Say Amen, This Is Gospel and Emperor's New Cloths ), Halleluiah, Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time, High hopes, Ready To Go... There are so many great ones 🤣 These are just some of those I'd love to hear your thoughts of lol Anyhow, keep it up! :) love your work here. You have such a great energy about you :)

I'm going to guess that this song was likely motivated from his trip to Africa as part of 1D. There's video footage of him in a hospital with very sick babies and he was really torn up by that.

8:47 😭😭😭why harry styles

please do cardigan by taylor next !

omg you should do "Look What You Made Me Do" by taylor swift

Please do TPWK

If you really want to listen to an emotional song by Harry styles then you should listen to Matilda. No video for it though

Can you do Void by Melanie Martinez next?

Check out the BTS he was harnessed by a helicopter. Did it all himself

It’s AI 😂🤣

Thanks for this reaction🙌🏻❤️ love your channel

I love the depth that you add with your reactions. You point out things that make the videos that much more enjoyable. I look forward to more reactions.

THIS is why I love to watch your reactions to Harry's videos!!! I used to think that as for a music video this is simple and not much of a story here. The song is amazing, but not my favorite of his. You really opened my eyes to the cinematographic choices in this, I never really looked into this like that. I knew he did his own stunts, though. He is really up to anything & gives the directors a lot of freedom to make artistic choices. He also has the talent to pick the best crew to work with on whatever he's doing: music, movies, art. That's why I always expect quality stuff from him - and he never ever disappoints.

Wow, as ushhh you met expectations on your review! I was really waiting! Want to watch you see it, for the first time! Glad you were blown away! So interesting to hear all the technicals from a professional. Lots of people can do a reaction, but you really bring the technical side and it’s like seeing it again for the first time! Again, like always, there are so many things I’d like to share… but 😊

Ok so I like you and your reactions but please... don't do pauses so close together.

Although we know this is a big production number, the honest reactions that appear on your face certainly do reflect what I felt and how my little brain was touched by this powerful piece of art! Congratulations to all of your 'Creatives'...you make this so ethereal material. Sincere thanks to you. ajp

i went through all the harry's and louis' videos with you and although i know them all it was an experience on another level...thanx a lot🙂