Harry Styles Says Dating Taylor Swift Was a Learning Experience

Harry Styles recently opened up about his short-lived relationship with Taylor Swift for the first time. During an interview with Rolling Stone, the "Sign of the Times" singer was asked what we've been dying to know since the two split in January 2013: what was it really like dating the famous pop star? "I think relationships are hard at any age," he said, reflecting on photos taken from their infamous date in Central Park. "And adding in that you don't really understand exactly how it works when you're 18, trying to navigate all that stuff didn't make it easier. I mean, you're a little bit awkward to begin with. You're on a date with someone you really like. It should be that simple, right? It was a learning experience for sure. But at the heart of it — I just wanted it to be a normal date."

Following their breakup, Taylor decided to pour her heart into her music (as she usually does) by penning tracks like "Out of the Woods" and "Style" on her 1989 album. Though the lyrics have some striking similarities to their relationship, Harry isn't exactly sure if he's the inspiration. "I mean, I don't know if they're about me or not, but the issue is, she's so good, they're bloody everywhere," he added. "I write from my experiences; everyone does that." After all, his new track "Ever Since New York" is rumored to be about their relationship. "I'm lucky if everything [we went through together] helped create those songs. That's what hits your heart. That's the stuff that's hardest to say, and it's the stuff I talk least about. That's the part that's about the two people. I'm never going to tell anybody everything."

While Harry has never told Taylor how much he admires her music, he admitted, "She doesn't need me to tell her they're great. They're great songs . . . It's the most amazing unspoken dialogue ever." The two also aren't currently friends, but the former One Direction star has nothing but nice things to say about his ex. "Certain things don't work out," he said. "There's a lot of things that can be right, and it's still wrong. In writing songs about stuff like that, I like tipping a hat to the time together. You're celebrating the fact it was powerful and made you feel something, rather than 'this didn't work out, and that's bad.' And if you run into that person, maybe it's awkward, maybe you have to get drunk . . . but you shared something. Meeting someone new, sharing those experiences, it's the best sh*t ever. So thank you."