Release Date and Artist Details
The single As It Was was released on March 31, 2022, by Columbia Records, under the ownership of Sony Music Entertainment. The track is credited to Harry Styles, whose full name is Harry Edward Styles, and the primary songwriter is also Harry Styles, with production handled by Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. The official audio and music video were distributed through major digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, and the release is documented in the Sony Music catalog and press materials Sony Music.
As It Was is classified as a synth-pop and pop rock track with a runtime of 2 minutes and 47 seconds. The song marked a stylistic shift for Harry Styles, emphasizing minimalist production, prominent synthesizers, and a driving beat. The release was accompanied by a cinematic music video directed by Tanu Muino, which features surreal imagery and choreography that quickly became a cultural reference point across social media platforms.
Chart Performance and Commercial Metrics
As It Was debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for multiple weeks, with documented tracking data published by Billboard and Luminate. The song also reached the top position on the UK Singles Chart and achieved similar number-one placements in over 20 countries, according to official chart bodies and aggregated industry reports Billboard.
On streaming platforms, As It Was surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, a milestone tracked by the platform's public charts and official artist pages. The track also generated substantial radio airplay, contributing to its sustained chart presence and high audience reach metrics reported by industry monitoring services.
Production Credits and Label Information
The production team for As It Was includes Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, both of whom have extensive credits in pop and rock production. The song was recorded at specific studios in Los Angeles and the United Kingdom, with mixing and mastering handled by engineers associated with major label workflows at Columbia Records and its parent company Sony Music Entertainment SEC Filings.
Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, managed the global distribution of As It Was across physical, digital, and streaming formats. The release strategy included coordinated marketing campaigns, playlist placements on major streaming services, and partnerships with media outlets to maximize reach and audience engagement.