Here’s a masterlist of everything I’ve found that points to William Bowery being Harry Styles! As I become aware of more information, I’ll add it to the post.
So as we all know, Taylor wrote with someone named William Bowery on “exile” and “betty” from folklore. Well here is all the evidence that I have found so far pointing to that person being the one, the only, Harry Styles.
We know that Harry was written under a pseudonym before (Mick Greenberg), so it’s not that far-fetched of an idea that he’d write under one again.
Here’s a masterlist of everything I’ve found that points to William Bowery being Harry Styles! As I become aware of more information, I’ll add it to the post.
So as we all know, Taylor wrote with someone named William Bowery on “exile” and “betty” from folklore. Well here is all the evidence that I have found so far pointing to that person being the one, the only, Harry Styles.
We know that Harry was written under a pseudonym before (Mick Greenberg), so it’s not that far-fetched of an idea that he’d write under one again.
But wait, what about the theories that William is Joe or Lorde?
Joe: there’s no way that Joe, a man who is not a songwriter, wrote two songs as amazing as exile and betty (sorry Joe)
Lorde: fans have been wanting Taylor and Lorde to write together for years so why would Lorde write under a pseudonym?Â
Onto the name William Bowery:
One of Harry’s last performances before everything went into lockdown was at the BOWERY Ballroom (thank you Rosie @ paintedmegclden)
In March 2012, Harry and Taylor both stayed at the BOWERY Hotel while in New York City (thank you to @ paperthinplans for reminding me of this)
Now, onto the lyrics:
It sounds like a conversation between them reminiscing where they went wrong
So if we assume Justin Vernon (Bon Iver’s) lines are Harry’s side of the conversation:
“I can see you standing, honey; With his arms around your body; Laughin’, but the joke’s not funny at all”
This refers to the 2015 Billboard Music awards when Harry was on stage and watched Taylor and Calvin laughing front row
And if we assume Taylor’s lines are her side of the conversation:
“I can see you starin’, honey; Like he’s just your understudy; Like you’d get your knuckles bloody for me”
This also refers to the BBMAs when Harry couldn’t take his eyes off Taylor
“Second, third, and hundredth chances; Balancin’ on breaking branches; Those eyes add insult to injury”
This refers to Haylor going back to each other after they had broken up (see the 2013 VMA’s)
“Those eyes add insult to injury” one of Harry’s most famous defining features are his eyes and Taylor has mentioned them in many songs
2015 BBMAs:
2013 VMAs:
Lines they both sing:
“I think I’ve seen this film before; And I didn’t like the ending”
When they started dating, it was Harry’s real first major public relationship whereas Taylor had may public relationships up to that point, meaning she was familiar with what would happen and how it would end
“I’m not your problem anymore; So who am I offending now?”
This is saying “We’re not together anymore so why are you acting like we are?” aka Harry’s jealousy
“We always walked a very thin line” just say fine line lmao
“You didn’t even hear me out” the lack of communication between the two of them
“You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)” again, the lack of communication, but this is again referring to it being Harry’s first major public relationship but not Taylor’s. She thought the warning signs were obvious and knew they were doomed but he wasn’t picking up on it
“I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)” again, just like above, Taylor thought the issues were obvious but Harry just couldn’t see it
“I couldn’t turn things around (You never turned things around)” Harry tried to make this relationship different for her but no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t
It’s been compared to “The Last Time”
Who wrote “The Last Time”? Taylor, Gary Lightbody, and Jacknife Lee
Who wrote “Something Great” by One Direction? Jacknife Lee, Gary Lightbody, and Harry
The vertical video for “exile” is a clip from the “cardigan” music video where she’s clinging to the piano in the water
This scene mirror’s Harry’s music video for “Falling”
But what about Betty? William Bowery wrote on that song too!
We all know that Harry is a fan of Friends, that’s no secret. Just watch this video from @ taylenarareÂ
Betty is very similar to a Bob Dylan song and Harry is a known fan of his (again, thank you Rosie @ paintedmegclden )
Lyric parallels to Harry’s other songs:
The most obvious: “We always walked a very thin line”
“I got splinters in my knuckles crawling cross the floor” from “Only Angel” and “Like you’d get your knuckles bloody for me” (thank you Nouf @ prayingwickedly)Â
“I’m selfish, I know; But I don’t ever want to see you with him; I’m selfish, I know; I told you, but I know you never listen; I hope you can see, the shape that I’m in; While he’s touching your skin; He’s right where I should, where I should be; But you’re making me bleed” from “Woman” references the 2015 BBMAs and their lack of communication
“I’m empty, I know; And promises are broken like a stitch is” from “Woman” again references how Harry tried to make this relationship different but failed
And that’s all I have so far! If I come across anything else, I’ll be sure to add it below!
