Sweet Creature

File:Kid Harpoon Glasto07.jpg (pictured in 2007) in co-wrote and co-produced "Sweet Creature".]]

Harry Styles's music career began in 2010 as a member of the boy band One Direction.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/arts/music/one-direction-and-the-wanted-boy-bands-return.html?_r=2|title=Boy Bands Are Back, Wholesome or Sexy|last=Mckinley Jr.|first=James C.|work=The New York Times|date=23 March 2012|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227235103/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/arts/music/one-direction-and-the-wanted-boy-bands-return.html?_r=2|archive-date=27 February 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/harry-styles-new-direction-119432/|title=Harry Styles' New Direction|last=Crowe|first=Cameron|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=18 April 2017|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810230312/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/harry-styles-new-direction-119432/|archive-date=10 August 2020|url-status=live}} Rumours about Styles embarking on a solo career sparked in 2015 after four new songs written and recorded by him were registered on the ASCAP online database, that were believed to be for his potential debut solo album.{{cite magazine|last1=Stutz|first1=Colin|title=Harry Styles' 4 New Solo Song Titles: What to Make of His Copyright Registrations|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6828209/harry-styles-4-solo-song-new-copyright-registrations-titles|access-date=14 April 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=30 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101065449/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6828209/harry-styles-4-solo-song-new-copyright-registrations-titles|archive-date=1 January 2016|url-status=live}} Following One Direction's indefinite hiatus in 2016,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9419436/one-direction-ten-year-anniversary-fan-interviews|title=10 Years of One Direction: The Story of the World's Biggest Boy Band, Told With the Fans Who Made It Happen|last=Paul|first=Larisha|magazine=Billboard|date=16 July 2020|access-date=15 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208192627/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9419436/one-direction-ten-year-anniversary-fan-interviews|archive-date=8 February 2021|url-status=live}} he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records as a solo artist.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6859541/harry-styles-management-jeffrey-azoff-modest|title=Harry Styles Splits With One Direction's Management, Joins Azoff|last=Schneider|first=Marc|magazine=Billboard|date=1 February 2017|access-date=18 January 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114170959/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6859541/harry-styles-management-jeffrey-azoff-modest|archive-date=14 November 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7416429/harry-styles-solo-record-deal-one-direction|title=Harry Styles Signs Recording Contract With Columbia: Exclusive|last=Halperin|first=Shirley|magazine=Billboard|date=23 June 2016|access-date=16 October 2017|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019111119/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7416429/harry-styles-solo-record-deal-one-direction|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}} In February 2017, Rob Stringer, the CEO of Columbia Records, revealed that Styles's debut album was close to being completed.{{cite magazine|last1=Halperin|first1=Shirley|title=Incoming Sony Music Head Rob Stringer on Harry Styles' 'Authentic' Solo Debut: 'We're Close'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7685155/no-5-rob-stringer-power-100-2017|access-date=15 April 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209151706/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7685155/no-5-rob-stringer-power-100-2017|archive-date=9 February 2017|url-status=live}} Styles released his debut single "Sign of the Times" in April 2017, and announced that his eponymous debut studio album would be released the following month.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7760233/harry-styles-self-titled-debut-may-12-tracklist|title=Harry Styles Self-Titled Debut Due May 12, Check Out Tracklist|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|magazine=Billboard|date=13 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623084612/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7760233/harry-styles-self-titled-debut-may-12-tracklist|archive-date=23 June 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7744377/harry-styles-solo-single-cover-art-sign-of-the-times|title=Harry Styles Debuts Cover Art for First Solo Single, 'Sign of the Times'|last=Tom|first=Lauren|magazine=Billboard|date=31 March 2017|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403070610/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7744377/harry-styles-solo-single-cover-art-sign-of-the-times|archive-date=3 April 2017|url-status=live}} For the album, he took inspiration from the music of Pink Floyd, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Fleetwood Mac to recreate a 1970s-influenced rock record.{{cite web |last1=Coscarelli |first1=Joe |title=Harry styles Opens Up, Slightly, About Going Solo With a Rock Edge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/arts/music/harry-styles-solo-album-interview.html?_r=0 |website=The New York Times |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=11 May 2017 |url-access=limited|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512031939/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/arts/music/harry-styles-solo-album-interview.html?_r=0|archive-date=12 May 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |title=Harry Styles: Harry Styles review – ticking every box on the Take Me Seriously checklist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/12/harry-styles-debut-review-homages-one-direction |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512014432/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/12/harry-styles-debut-review-homages-one-direction|archive-date=12 May 2017}} Styles enlisted producers Jeff Bhasker, Alex Salibian, Tyler Johnson, and Kid Harpoon.

Styles wrote "Sweet Creature" with Harpoon.{{cite AV media notes|title=Harry Styles|others=Harry Styles|year=2017|type=CD liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=88985436772|page=2}} It was the first song that the duo wrote for the album.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7784812/harry-styles-sweet-creature-about-someone|title=Harry Styles Says 'Sweet Creature' Is About Someone, But Won't Say Who|last=Stutz|first=Colin|magazine=Billboard|date=4 May 2017|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502164645/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7784812/harry-styles-sweet-creature-about-someone|archive-date=2 May 2021|url-status=live}} Production was handled by Harpoon, Bhasker, Salibian, and Johnson.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-harry-styles-sweeping-new-folk-song-sweet-creature-120208/|title=Hear Harry Styles' Sweeping New Folk Song 'Sweet Creature'|last=Blistein|first=Jon|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=2 May 2017|access-date=16 August 2021|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502164645/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7784812/harry-styles-sweet-creature-about-someone|archive-date=2 May 2021|url-status=live}} The recording took place in Harpoon's Barn and The Village in Los Angeles. Harpoon played bass, guitar, and güiro, as well as provided background vocals. Bhasker played the piano and served as the executive producer. Harpoon and Ryan Nasci engineered the song with Matt Dyson and Michael Freeman. The song was mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent at EastWest Studios, Los Angeles, and mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, New Jersey.

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"Sweet Creature" is an acoustic folk ballad,{{cite web |last1=Wass |first1=Mike |title=Harry Styles Charms With Acoustic Ballad 'Sweet Creature' |url=https://www.idolator.com/7662247/harry-styles-ballad-sweet-creature?chrome=1 |website=Idolator |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210816152452/https://www.idolator.com/7662247/harry-styles-ballad-sweet-creature?chrome=1|archive-date=16 August 2021}} with a length of three minutes and 45 seconds.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/73489549/track/73489550|title=Sweet Creature|publisher=Tidal|access-date=12 October 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816152346/https://listen.tidal.com/album/73489549/track/73489550|archive-date=16 August 2021}} Bernard Zuel of The Sydney Morning Herald characterised its sound as country-pop.{{cite web |last1=Zuel |first1=Bernard |title=Harry Styles solo album finds more than one direction |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/harry-styles-solo-album-finds-more-than-one-direction-20170512-gw3h0v.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513054333/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/harry-styles-solo-album-finds-more-than-one-direction-20170512-gw3h0v.html |archive-date=13 May 2017 |date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live}} The song employs fingerstyle guitar picking, bass, simple harmonies, and background runs.{{cite web |last1=Fusilli |first1=Jim |title='Harry Styles' Review: Going Off in a New Direction |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/harry-styles-review-going-off-in-a-new-direction-1494969016 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=19 August 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517093858/https://www.wsj.com/articles/harry-styles-review-going-off-in-a-new-direction-1494969016 |archive-date=17 May 2017 |date=16 May 2017 |url-status=live}} On the track, Styles croons the song's title over and over, accompanied by guitar riffs.{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=Jeremy |title=If You Didn't Already Think Harry Styles Is Serious, His New Song 'Sweet Creature' Might Sway You |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/05/harry-styles-sweet-creature-review/ |website=Spin |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502233358/https://www.spin.com/2017/05/harry-styles-sweet-creature-review/|archive-date=2 May 2017}}{{cite web |title=Every single Harry Styles song, ranked |url=https://www.insider.com/harry-styles-songs-ranked |website=Insider |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=1 February 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210816152814/https://www.insider.com/harry-styles-songs-ranked|archive-date=16 August 2021}} Sasha Geffen of MTV News noted that backing instruments and vocals get added later to the song's guitar-driven production. Geffen said that the track lowered the magnitude from Styles's sonorous debut single, "Sign of the Times", to "an intimate, acoustic level".{{cite web |last1=Geffen |first1=Sasha |title=Harry Styles gets in his feelings on new song 'Sweet Creature' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3008468/harry-styles-sweet-creature/ |publisher=MTV News |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502214113/http://www.mtv.com/news/3008468/harry-styles-sweet-creature/ |archive-date=2 May 2017 |date=2 May 2017 |url-status=dead}} According to Digital Spy's Justin Harp, the song, although not very different from the ballads of One Direction, marked a departure from the energetic pop sound of the band.{{cite web |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Harry Styles's romantic ballad 'Sweet Creature' is going to make you swoon |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a827341/harry-styles-new-song-sweet-creature-debuts-listen-now/ |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027011725/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a827341/harry-styles-new-song-sweet-creature-debuts-listen-now/|archive-date=27 October 2020}}

Several critics compared the track's acoustic guitar arrangement to that of the Beatles's 1968 song, "Blackbird".{{NoteTag|Those who compared "Sweet Creature" to "Blackbird" included The Atlantic{{'}}s Spencer Kornhaber,{{cite web |last1=Kornhaber |first1=Spencer |title=Harry Styles Dons the Costume of Classic Rock |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/05/harry-styles-debut-review-classic-rock/526761/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517071957/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/05/harry-styles-debut-review-classic-rock/526761/ |url-access=limited|archive-date=17 May 2017 |date=16 May 2017 |url-status=live}} DIY{{'}}s Alim Kheraj,{{cite web |last1=Kheraj |first1=Alim |title=Harry Styles – Harry Styles |url=https://diymag.com/2017/05/17/harry-styles-self-titled-album-review |website=DIY |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517213846/https://diymag.com/2017/05/17/harry-styles-self-titled-album-review |archive-date=17 May 2017 |date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live}} Drowned in Sound{{'}}s Dave Hanratty,{{cite web |last1=Hanratty |first1=Dave |title=Harry Styles – Harry Styles |url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/19935/reviews/4151029 |website=Drowned in Sound |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=15 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516234254/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/19935/reviews/4151029|archive-date=16 May 2017}} Exclaim!{{'}}s Corey van den Hoogenband,{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/harry_styles-harry_styles |title=Harry Styles – Harry Styles |last=Hoogenband |first=Corey van den|date=12 May 2017 |work=Exclaim! |access-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517144444/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/harry_styles-harry_styles|archive-date=17 May 2017}} The Irish Times{{'}}s Louise Bruton,{{cite news |last1=Bruton |first1=Louise |title=If Niall Horan's solo career is a B&B in Mullingar, Harry Styles is the Chelsea Hotel |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/if-niall-horan-s-solo-career-is-a-b-b-in-mullingar-harry-styles-is-the-chelsea-hotel-1.3081023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513043113/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/if-niall-horan-s-solo-career-is-a-b-b-in-mullingar-harry-styles-is-the-chelsea-hotel-1.3081023 |archive-date=13 May 2017 |date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live}} Pitchfork{{'}}s Jamieson Cox,{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Jamieson |title=Harry Styles – Harry Styles |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23204-harry-styles/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=16 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516214128/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23204-harry-styles/|archive-date=16 May 2017}} Rolling Stone{{'}}s Rob Sheffield,{{cite magazine |last1=Sheffield |first1=Rob |author-link=Rob Sheffield|title=Review: Harry Styles Is a True Rock Star on Superb Solo Debut |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-harry-styles-is-a-true-rock-star-on-superb-solo-debut-119736/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=16 August 2021 |url-access=limited |date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027143144/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/review-harry-styles-is-a-true-rock-star-on-superb-solo-debut-119736/|archive-date=27 October 2018}} and Vox{{'}}s Bridgett Henwood.{{cite web |last1=Henwood |first1=Bridgett |title=May was a great month for music. Here are the 8 best new releases. |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/5/31/15679786/may-great-music-8-best-new-releases |website=Vox |access-date=19 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101001555/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/5/31/15679786/may-great-music-8-best-new-releases |archive-date=1 November 2017 |date=31 May 2017 |url-status=live}}}} Reviewers such as, Rick Pearson of Evening Standard and Jeremy Gordon of Spin said that it sounded like the works of the pop singer Ed Sheeran, and Pearson compared it specifically to his 2017 album ÷.{{cite web|last=Pearson|first=Rick|title=Harry Styles album review: 'A self-consciously serious and grown-up effort'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/music/harry-styles-album-review-a-selfconsciously-serious-and-grownup-effort-a3537171.html|website=Evening Standard|date=12 May 2017 |access-date=12 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515222639/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/music/harry-styles-album-review-a-selfconsciously-serious-and-grownup-effort-a3537171.html|archive-date=15 May 2017}} Variety{{'}}s Eve Barlow noted that the song attempted to emulate the guitar sound of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood", Plain White T's' "Hey There Delilah", and Fleetwood Mac's "Never Going Back Again".

In an interview with radio host Zach Sang in May 2017, Styles revealed that "Sweet Creature" was written about a specific person.{{cite magazine |last1=Stutz |first1=Colin |title=Harry Styles Says 'Sweet Creature' Is About Someone, But Won't Say Who |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7784812/harry-styles-sweet-creature-about-someone |magazine=Billboard |access-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505024850/https://billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7784812/harry-styles-sweet-creature-about-someone |archive-date=5 May 2017 |date=5 May 2017 |url-status=live}} He said that the song was "more so than one story, it's very much a piece of me that I haven't shared or talked about before".{{cite web |last1=Britton |first1=Luke Morgan |title=Harry Styles discusses new single 'Sweet Creature' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/harry-styles-discusses-new-single-sweet-creature-2066057 |website=NME |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=4 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504233251/https://www.nme.com/news/music/harry-styles-discusses-new-single-sweet-creature-2066057|archive-date=4 May 2017}} Sung in the form of a lullaby, according to Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Leah Greenblatt,{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/05/12/harry-styles-review/ |title=Harry Styles pays tribute to his musical heroes on solo debut: EW review |last=Greenblatt |first=Leah |date=12 May 2017 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512061435/https://ew.com/music/2017/05/12/harry-styles-review/|archive-date=12 May 2017}} the track's lyrics discuss the confusion and potency of young love. In the song, Styles sings of an imaginative animal, who's not named. A guitar strum opens the track, over which Styles sings: "Sweet creature, had another talk about where it's going wrong". It leads to the chorus, which has been described by Idolator{{'}}s Mike Wass as "loved-up" and "starry-eyed": "Sweet creature, sweet creature/ When I run out of rope, you bring me home." Harp interpreted the refrain's lyrics as a declaration that "love alone is sometimes enough to bridge the divide in a rocky relationship". Annie Zaleski of The A.V. Club described it as "a simple but effective song praising the strength of a bond that endures despite turbulence".{{cite web |last1=Zaleski |first1=Annie |title=Harry Styles takes a bold step forward by leaning on the past in his solo debut |url=https://www.avclub.com/harry-styles-takes-a-bold-step-forward-by-leaning-on-th-1798191350 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=15 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908162823/https://www.avclub.com/harry-styles-takes-a-bold-step-forward-by-leaning-on-th-1798191350|archive-date=8 September 2017}}

Critics complimented Styles's vocal performance, often singling out his singing as "earnest" and "honest",{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/harry-styles-solo-album-track-breakdown-1202424544/ |title=Harry Styles' Solo Album: A Track-by-Track Breakdown |last=Barlow |first=Eve |date=12 May 2017 |work=Variety |access-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512102857/https://variety.com/2017/music/news/harry-styles-solo-album-track-breakdown-1202424544/|archive-date=12 May 2017}} including Mikael Woo of the Los Angeles Times, who described Styles's vocals as "honeyed croon".{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-harry-styles-review-20170512-story.html|title=Review: Harry Styles is a young classic rocker on his dad-baiting solo debut|last=Wood|first=Mikael|work=Los Angeles Times|date=12 May 2017|access-date=13 May 2017|url-access=limited|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512202919/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-harry-styles-review-20170512-story.html|archive-date=12 May 2017}} Gordon said that as with Sheeran's best songs, "Sweet Creature" trades in fanciful words for sincere pining that awaits to captivate the listener with earnestness. Reviewers such as Billboard{{'}}s Da'Shan Smith and Rolling Stone{{'}}s Jon Blistein felt the song showcased Styles's vocal range that allowed him to perform "some pretty spectacular power notes".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7777148/harry-styles-sweet-creature-new-song-listen |title=Harry Styles Debuts New Song 'Sweet Creature' |last=Smith |first=Da'Shan |date=2 May 2017 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503025351/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7777148/harry-styles-sweet-creature-new-song-listen|archive-date=3 May 2017}} Bridgett Henwood of Vox and Jon Caramanica of The New York Times deemed "Sweet Creature" as one of the album's highlights, with the latter praising Styles's singing.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/arts/music/harry-styles-self-titled-album-review.html |title=Harry Styles Fights the Spotlight on His Debut Solo Album |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica|date=17 May 2017 |work=The New York Times |access-date=8 July 2017|url-access=limited|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517221959/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/arts/music/harry-styles-self-titled-album-review.html|archive-date=17 May 2017}} BBC News writer Mark Savage labelled it as the album's "most effective, direct song".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39883061 |title=Is Harry Styles' album worth the wait? |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=12 May 2017 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=21 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512064405/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39883061|archive-date=12 May 2017}} Greenblatt regarded the song as "delicate sketches, wistful and pretty", alongside the track "Two Ghosts". Writing for the Windsor Star, Chris Lackner viewed it as "a tear-jerking, lighter charged live concert closer".{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/505959317/|title=Pop Forecast – Music|last=Lackner|first=Chris|work=Windsor Star|page=4|date=9 May 2017|access-date=24 April 2021|via=Newspapers.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818110836/https://www.newspapers.com/image/505959317/|archive-date=18 August 2021|url-status=live}}

Reviewers felt that the song showcased Styles's strengths and signaled a maturity in his musical direction. Harp felt that the song displayed Styles's musical maturity and singled out the lyrics on the refrain to explain his viewpoint. Similarly, Jessica Hopper of MTV News noted that it signaled a musical maturity for Styles, by "sound[ing] like someone wanting the intimacy and quiet sensuality of Jeff Buckley's Grace and Ryan Adams's Heartbreaker".{{cite web |title=Harry Styles, The Album: An MTV News Reaction Roundtable |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3013371/harry-styles-album-critics-roundtable/ |publisher=MTV News |access-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517033758/http://www.mtv.com/news/3013371/harry-styles-album-critics-roundtable/ |archive-date=17 May 2017 |date=16 May 2017 |url-status=dead}} David Sackllah of Consequence asserted that the track finds Styles relaxed and that he is able to "find his strengths".{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/05/album-review-harry-styles-harry-styles/ |title=Album Review: Harry Styles – Harry Styles |last=Sackllah |first=David |date=18 May 2017 |work=Consequence |access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517052347/https://consequence.net/2017/05/album-review-harry-styles-harry-styles/|archive-date=17 May 2021}} In a similar vein, Daniel Tovar from Pretty Much Amazing commented that the song demonstrated Styles's skill as a balladeer.{{cite web |last1=Tovar |first1=Daniel |title=Review: Harry Styles, Harry Styles |url=http://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/harry-styles-harry-styles/ |website=Pretty Much Amazing |access-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531154432/http://prettymuchamazing.com/reviews/harry-styles-harry-styles/ |archive-date=31 May 2017 |date=16 May 2017 |url-status=live}}

The track's sound, described by The Straits Times as a "modern-day take" on "Blackbird",{{cite web |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/soft-rock-with-an-edge |title=Soft rock with an edge |date=17 May 2017 |work=The Straits Times |first=Anjali |last=Raguraman |access-date=25 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530173543/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/soft-rock-with-an-edge|archive-date=30 May 2017}} and noted approvingly by Exclaim!, was criticised by Drowned in Sound as "the latest futile attempt at a 'Blackbird' reworking". Leonie Coope, writing for NME, felt the song rendered a "country-indebted Laurel Canyon sound" that "could have as easily have been written about Joni Mitchell as much as his ex Taylor Swift".{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Leonie|title=Harry Styles – Harry Styles review|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/harry-styles-harry-styles-album-review-nme|website=NME|date=11 May 2017 |access-date=12 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512060619/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/harry-styles-harry-styles-album-review-nme|archive-date=12 May 2017}} In a less enthusiastic review, music critic Greg Kot dismissed the song as trivial, although he discerned that Styles's vocals and the guitar arrangement made him "appear older than his years".{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-music-harry-styles-one-direction-ent-0515-20170512-column.html |title=Harry's solo style derivative, lacking One Direction hook power |last=Kot |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot|date=14 May 2017 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=8 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515043556/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-music-harry-styles-one-direction-ent-0515-20170512-column.html|archive-date=15 May 2017}}

File:180612_Harry_Styles_Live_On_Tour_in_Nashville.png in 2018]]

Harry Styles premiered "Sweet Creature" on Zane Lowe's radio show on Apple Music 1, on 2 May 2017.{{cite web |last1=Britton |first1=Luke Morgan |title=Listen to Harry Styles' new single 'Sweet Creature' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/harry-styles-new-single-sweet-creature-2064218 |work=NME |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502181633/https://www.nme.com/news/music/harry-styles-new-single-sweet-creature-2064218|archive-date=2 May 2017}} Columbia Records simultaneously released the song for digital download and streaming as a promotional single from Harry Styles.{{NoteTag|While some sources refer to "Sweet Creature" as the second single,{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Emma|date=2 May 2017|title=Harry Styles leaves fans in tears as he drops 'Grammy deserving' single Sweet Creature|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/harry-styles-leaves-fans-in-tears-as-he-drops-grammy-deserving-single-sweet-creature-a3528771.html|work=Evening Standard|access-date=13 October 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502214600/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/harry-styles-leaves-fans-in-tears-as-he-drops-grammy-deserving-single-sweet-creature-a3528771.html|archive-date=2 May 2017}} Columbia Records noted that "Sign of the Times" was the current single when "Sweet Creature" was released,{{cite web|date=2 May 2017|title=Harry Styles Shares New Track 'Sweet Creature'|url=https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/harry-styles-shares-new-track-sweet-creature|publisher=Sony Music|access-date=13 October 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927174458/https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/harry-styles-shares-new-track-sweet-creature|archive-date=27 September 2020}} and an insider report indicates that "Two Ghosts" is Harry Style's second single.{{cite web|date=3 October 2017|title=Q4 Week: Inside Sony's Q4 schedule|url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/q4-week-inside-sony-s-q4-schedule/070013|work=Music Week|access-date=13 October 2020|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007074736/https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/q4-week-inside-sony-s-q4-schedule/070013|archive-date=7 October 2017}}}} Upon its release, the song reached the top of the Billboard Twitter Real-Time chart.{{cite magazine |last1=Zellner |first1=Xander |title=Harry Styles' New Song 'Sweet Creature' Tops Billboard + Twitter Trending 140 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7783462/harry-styles-sweet-creature-billboard-twitter-trending-chart |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502232531/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7783462/harry-styles-sweet-creature-billboard-twitter-trending-chart|archive-date=2 May 2017}}

The song debuted at number 74 on the UK Singles Chart dated 12 May 2017.{{cite web |title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 (12 May 2017 – 18 May 2017) |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20170512/7501/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=16 August 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525180637/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20170512/7501/|archive-date=25 May 2017}} The following week, it reached number 46, which became its peak. The song received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which denotes track-equivalent sales of 600,000 units. The single peaked within the top 40 at number 21 in Spain, number 37 in Ireland and Scotland, and number 39 in Australia and New Zealand. Elsewhere, it reached number 52 in France, number 55 in Slovakia, number 57 in Czech Republic and Portugal, number 69 in Canada, number 78 in Netherlands, number 85 in Italy, number 93 in the United States, and number 95 in Sweden. The single also received gold certifications in Denmark and Italy, platinum certifications in Brazil, Canada, and the United States and double platinum in Australia.

On 12 May 2017, Styles first performed "Sweet Creature" on The One Show.{{cite web |last1=Hegarty |first1=Tasha |title=Harry Styles sends fans into meltdown with his performance on The One Show |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a828203/harry-styles-fans-meltdown-after-a-performance-on-the-one-show/ |publisher=Digital Spy |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=12 May 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816150106/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a828203/harry-styles-fans-meltdown-after-a-performance-on-the-one-show/|archive-date=16 August 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Pike |first1=Naomi |title=Harry Styles's Big Week: A Timeline |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/harry-styles-album-may-12 |website=Vogue |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=19 May 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519022923/https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/harry-styles-album-may-12|archive-date=19 May 2017}} The following day, he sang it on his one-night concert at the Garage, London to promote the release of Harry Styles. Styles included it on the setlist for Harry Styles: Live on Tour, which ran from September 2017 to July 2018.{{cite magazine|last1=Spanos|first1=Brittany |title=Harry Styles Bridges Past and Present at Stirring Tour Kickoff Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/harry-styles-bridges-past-and-present-at-stirring-tour-kickoff-show-197766/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=20 September 2017|access-date=21 September 2017|url-access=limited|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522010953/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/harry-styles-bridges-past-and-present-at-stirring-tour-kickoff-show-197766/|archive-date=22 May 2019}} While reviewing his concert at the Forum on 14 July 2018, August Brown of Los Angeles Times said that Styles's performance of "Sweet Creature" showcased his "big range and comfort in the most intimate of arrangements".{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-harry-styles-kacey-musgraves-20180713-story.html|title=Ending a year-long classic arena tour, Harry Styles proves he is the future of rock 'n' roll|last=Brown|first=August|work=Los Angeles Times|date=15 July 2018|access-date=11 October 2019|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717155111/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-harry-styles-kacey-musgraves-20180713-story.html|archive-date=17 July 2018|url-status=live}}

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Harry Styles.

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Harry Styles – lead vocals, writer, background vocals
• Kid Harpoon – producer, writer, bass, guitar, güiro, background vocals, engineering
• Jeff Bhasker – producer, piano
• Alex Salibian – producer
• Tyler Johnson – producer
• Ryan Nasci – engineering
• Matt Dyson – assistant engineering
• Michael Freeman – assistant engineering
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
• Chris Gehringer – mastering

{{div end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Sweet Creature"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|refname="ausplatinum"|access-date=7 July 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|type=single|award=Platinum|relmonth=5|relyear=2017|certyear=2020|date=12 November 2020|access-date=13 November 2020|refname=brazilplatinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|certyear=2020|date=2 January 2020|access-date=14 January 2021|refname=canadaplatinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|type=single|award=Gold|relmonth=5|relyear=2017|certyear=2020|date=1 December 2020|id=9797|access-date=10 December 2020|refname=denmarkgold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|type=single|award=Gold|relmonth=5|relyear=2017|certyear=2021|id=8318|access-date=10 December 2020|refname=italygold}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|type=single|award=Platinum+Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|access-date=26 December 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=13 April 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=19 April 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|date=30 June 2023|id=15459-4394-1|access-date=30 June 2023|refname=ukplatinum}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Harry Styles|title=Sweet Creature|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|date=21 June 2023|access-date=21 June 2023|refname=usplatinum}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Harry Styles|source=artist|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=26 October 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}

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{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{YouTube|8uD6s-X3590|Audio}}

{{Harry Styles}}

Category:2010s ballads

Category:2017 songs

Category:English folk songs

Category:Harry Styles songs

Category:Songs written by Harry Styles

Category:Songs written by Kid Harpoon

Category:Song recordings produced by Jeff Bhasker

Category:Folk ballads