Harry Styles Credits Radiohead as Muse for His Music—and His First Time

Harry Styles took the stage at London's Ivor Novello Awards on Thursday night to celebrate Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, using the occasion to share how deeply the legendary band has shaped his artistic vision and personal milestones.

The 32-year-old presented Yorke with the Fellowship of the Academy award, speaking candidly about the Oxford musician's far-reaching influence. "I cannot overstate how his work has influenced my belief in the purpose of the arts in our world today. And I cannot overstate how much his work continues to influence me," Styles remarked.

During his remarks, Styles traced specific creative connections between Radiohead's catalog and his own work. He pointed to the 1997 track "Exit Music (For a Film)" as the genesis for his breakthrough hit "Watermelon Sugar," jokingly noting, "Imagine that: a world without that song."

The conversation took a more intimate turn when Styles revealed which Radiohead song marked a significant personal moment. "I lost my virginity to 'Talk Show Host,'" he announced, then clarified the specificity of the memory: "I lost my virginity to the intro of 'Talk Show Host.'" Given that the song's intro spans roughly 10 seconds, the quip drew knowing laughter from the audience.

Beyond the nostalgic anecdotes, Styles credited his encounter with Radiohead's live performance in Berlin last year as the catalyst for his decision to launch a new tour. The experience reinvigorated his touring ambitions, giving fans reason to thank the pioneering band for their role in bringing Styles back on the road.