Harry Styles' 'Watermelon Sugar' became a defining hit of the summer of 2020, but its origins date back to 2017. Styles wrote the song at The Village Studios in Los Angeles after seeing a copy of the Richard Brautigan book 'In Watermelon Sugar' on the table. The track is a blend of 1970s nostalgia, funk, and indie-pop, featuring a prominent brass section that gives it its euphoric feel. While it was released as a single in late 2019, it didn't reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 until August 2020, propelled by a vibrant, beach-themed music video that celebrated 'touch' during a time of global social distancing. The song earned Styles his first Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance. Musicologists have noted that the song’s 'hook' is built on a Mixolydian scale, which contributes to its bright, slightly bluesy, and summery atmosphere.