Is Benson Boone Copying Harry Styles? A Comparison Of Their Styles

Mei Lin

5 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

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Vocal Similarities and Differences

Vocal Tone and Timbre

Both Benson Boone and Harry Styles possess distinct vocal tones that contribute significantly to their individual styles. However, while both possess a certain warmth and vulnerability in their voices, there are noticeable differences in timbre and range.

• Similar: The richness and emotive quality in their voices share similarities, particularly in their ability to convey vulnerability and intimacy. Consider Boone's "In the Stars" and Styles' "Watermelon Sugar" – both showcase a capacity for soft, emotive delivery.
• Contrasting: Styles' vocal range often incorporates a more falsetto-heavy approach, showcasing a wider range than Boone, whose voice tends to stay within a more consistent register. Boone's voice, while smooth, sometimes displays a slightly rawer, more textured quality compared to Styles' more polished vocal tone. Listen to Boone's "Ghost Town" and compare it to Styles' "Adore You" to appreciate these differences.

Analysis: While both artists exhibit a capacity for emotional resonance in their vocals, their unique timbres and range distinguish them.

Vocal Delivery and Performance Style

The way an artist delivers their vocals shapes their overall performance. Both Boone and Styles excel at captivating audiences, but their approaches diverge.

• Similar: Both artists employ dynamic vocal phrasing, building intensity and emotion throughout their songs. They skillfully utilize pauses and subtle changes in tempo to enhance the impact of their vocals.
• Contrasting: Styles' stage presence tends to be more flamboyant and theatrical, employing greater physical movement and audience interaction. Boone, while engaging, often maintains a more restrained and introspective on-stage demeanor. Observe their live performances on YouTube; the contrast in stage presence is readily apparent.

Analysis: While both employ skillful vocal techniques, their delivery styles reflect differing artistic personalities and stagecraft preferences. Boone’s performances are often more intimate and subdued, while Styles embraces a more theatrical and energetic approach.

Musical Style Comparisons: Genre, Instrumentation, and Songwriting

Genre Overlap and Divergence

Both artists primarily reside within the pop music umbrella, but their subgenres and stylistic nuances differ.

• Similar: Both incorporate elements of indie-pop and soft rock into their music, creating catchy melodies and relatable lyrics. This overlap is evident in many of their hit songs.
• Contrasting: While Styles experiments with various genres, incorporating funk, disco, and even hints of folk into his music (see "As It Was" versus "Golden"), Boone's work predominantly leans towards a more consistently polished pop sound, with a hint of emotional vulnerability common in alternative pop.

Analysis: The core genre of their work is similar, but the stylistic exploration and breadth of genres explored are different.

Instrumentation and Production

The instrumental arrangements and production styles employed in their respective catalogs also reveal distinctions.

• Similar: Both frequently utilize rich layers of instrumentation, including prominent bass lines, subtle percussion, and layered vocals, to create full and immersive soundscapes.
• Contrasting: Styles’ music often features more experimental and diverse instrumentation, incorporating unique sounds and textures. Boone's production tends to be slightly more polished and mainstream, focusing on a cleaner, radio-friendly sound. Consider the contrasting production styles in Styles' "Kiwi" and Boone's "Heartbreak Anniversary."

Analysis: Both artists utilize high-quality production, but Styles showcases a bolder experimental streak in his instrumentation and sonic textures.

Songwriting Style and Themes

The lyrical content and storytelling in their music also present both similarities and contrasts.

• Similar: Both artists frequently explore themes of love, loss, and self-discovery in their lyrics. They often opt for relatable and emotionally resonant themes.
• Contrasting: Styles’ songwriting sometimes explores more mature and complex themes, delving into social commentary and personal reflection. Boone's lyrics, while heartfelt and emotionally charged, generally remain more straightforward and focused on personal experiences. Comparing the lyrical themes in Styles' "Sign of the Times" and Boone's "In the Stars" highlights this distinction.

Analysis: While both artists write emotionally resonant lyrics, Styles’ songwriting displays a greater thematic scope and complexity.

Influence vs. Imitation: Distinguishing Inspiration from Copying

Identifying Potential Influences

Both artists undoubtedly draw inspiration from a range of musical influences.

• Similar: Both artists likely have been influenced by classic rock, 70s pop, and contemporary pop artists; their sounds show echoes of this influence.
• Contrasting: While pinpointing specific influences can be difficult, further research into their individual musical backgrounds could uncover artists who had more specific impacts on each artist’s sound.

Analysis: While some broad influences might be shared, a deeper dive into their individual musical journeys is necessary to truly understand the origin of their respective styles.

Assessing Originality

Ultimately, the question of originality hinges on the balance between shared influences and individual contributions.

• Similar: Some similar elements in their vocal techniques and melodic phrasing do exist. However, they are not exact duplicates, indicating shared influence rather than direct imitation.
• Contrasting: Boone's restrained stage presence and slightly rawer vocal texture, paired with his more consistently polished pop sound, set him apart from Styles’ more flamboyant stage presence and diverse genre exploration.

Analysis: While undeniable similarities exist, especially in their initial work, Benson Boone demonstrably develops his unique vocal style and artistic voice, creating a distinguishable brand of pop music. The similarities stem more from shared influences within the broader pop landscape than from direct imitation.

Conclusion: The Verdict – Is Benson Boone Copying Harry Styles?

In conclusion, while undeniable similarities exist between Benson Boone and Harry Styles' vocal styles and musical approaches, particularly in their early work, a closer examination reveals distinct differences. Both artists operate within the pop genre but showcase individual approaches in vocal delivery, instrumentation, production, and songwriting. Shared influences likely explain many similarities, but Boone's developing artistic voice and unique characteristics ultimately establish him as a distinct artist rather than a mere copycat. The evidence suggests shared influence within a genre rather than outright copying. Let us know your thoughts on whether Benson Boone is copying Harry Styles in the comments below! Continue the conversation about Benson Boone’s musical style and influences, and explore the evolution of both artists' sounds.