Treat People with Kindness

Harry Styles was first spotted in 2017 with a 'Treat People With Kindness' badge on his guitar strap during a concert for his debut, self-titled album, which sparked interest amongst the artist's fanbase.[7] Styles revealed that as he "saw a lot of t-shirts around" with the phrase, referring to it as a "mantra", he became inspired to write the song.[7] Harry Styles released a line of merchandise with the phrase, in celebration of Pride Month. This consisted of t-shirts, hats, and hoodies.[8] Through 'Treat People with Kindness', he began with his first merchandise release in relation to the song in June 2018, through which he collaborated with the US organisation GLSEN.[9] Styles release t-shirts, hats and hoodies with the slogan to raise awareness for the organisation[10] with all profits being donated.[11]

In October 2019, fans of Harry Styles noticed billboards around London and New York with 'Do You Know Who You Are', which was quickly linked to 'Treat People with Kindness' by the singer's fans.[12] Following these promotions and the eventual 2019 release of 'Fine Line', Harry Styles continued to promote 'Treat People With Kindness' through regular merchandise releases with the phrase.[13]

As part of the 'Treat People with Kindness' slogan, Harry Styles released a t-shirt with "Stay home. Stay safe. Protect each other", on the front, and "This T-shirt fights COVID-19 treat people with kindness". Styles revealed that all profits made from the shirt would be donated to the World Health Organization's Solidarity Response Fund, a UN foundation.[14] In October 2020, Harry Styles released limited edition 'Treat People with Kindness' socks.[15] The socks were available for fans to purchase for 24 hours, with a portion of proceeds being donated to Choose Love, a charity which supports refugees.

The music video is directed by Gabe and Ben Turner, who have previously worked with Harry Styles for past music videos, and was released on 1 January 2021, and features actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge.[16] Turner reveals that this idea led Harry Styles to personally asking Waller-Bridge to feature in the video. Turner states that the influence for the dance was inspired by a 1940s Nicholas Brothers dance scene from Stormy Weather, which led to the idea of having Harry Styles perform with a dance partner.[16] The music video choreographer, Paul Roberts, explained that he also had gained inspiration for the dance from Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.[17]

Critical response to "Treat People with Kindness" was generally mixed. Claire Biddles from The Line of Best Fit found the song's beginning "enigmatic" but felt that it ultimately proves "meaningless".[18] Graham Reid regarded it as "feel-good" but obligatory and guilty of virtue signalling.[19] In Consequence, Bryan Rolli accused Styles of "sleepwalking" throughout the song and leaving the "heavy-lifting to the gospel singers",[20] while Ellen Johnson of Paste said that the "Queen-indebted anthem" features "off-pitch singers".[21]

More critical was Pitchfork reviewer Jeremy D. Larson, who pointed to "Treat People with Kindess" as an example of Styles' superficial use of his studio musicians on Fine Line. "An awful chimera of Jesus Christ Superstar and Edgar Winter Group's 'Free Ride' that confuses hand-claps with happiness", Larson called the song.[22] Laura Snapes of The Guardian referred to it as an "unnecessary" and "toothless" take on gospel.[1]

Some critics were more positive. NME writer Hannah Myrleah referred to the song as "another banging pop tune",[2] while Gregory Robinson from The Guardian found it "jolly" and called it "old school rock'n'roll".[3] Emma Swan of DIY described it as a "wonderfully kitsch '70s Motown stomp".[23]