Back before One Direction became a global pop sensation, loyal fans may recall the crazy video diaries that inspired plenty of inside jokes, crazy dance moves, and Liam Payne as the de facto leader of the group who did most of the singing.
Once affectionately known to 1D fans as the reliable “Daddy Direction,” Liam’s talent as a singer has been undeniable since he appeared on “The X-Factor” in 2010 as a 16-year-old with a Justin Bieber haircut, looking for a second shot at fame. Liam stunned the judges with a cover of Michael Bublé’s version of “Cry Me A River” and was eventually grouped with Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles to create One Direction.
As 1D made five straight albums that dominated sales and created a worldwide fandom, the members became increasingly comfortable as songwriters. But it was Liam and Louis who did most of the writing, especially on later albums “Four” and “Made in the A.M.”
Liam died on October 16 in Argentina at the age of 31 in a tragic fall from a hotel balcony. While loyal fans like me remember his vocals and swagger, we can’t forget his songwriting. Without him, we might not have Top 10 hits like “Story of My Life” or fan favorites like “Through the Dark.”
After 1D, Liam released an EP, followed by a studio album and a number of club hits, including his 2017 track with Quavo, “Strip That Down,” and his collaboration with Zedd, “Get Low.” But it was through One Direction that most fans were introduced to Liam, also known as Payno, and he produced the bulk of his music.
In tribute to his work in the group, here are some of the most notable songs Liam co-wrote for One Direction, from a fan’s perspective.
‘Same Mistakes’ from ‘Up All Night’
Although the label let hitmakers take the helm on most of the band’s debut album, all of “the boys” (as fans affectionately called them) received writing credits on Track 11. “Same Mistakes” seemed to be inspired by the saying “Insanity is doing the same thing again and expecting different results” and applied it to a relationship that was on the rocks.
Best Lyric: “That’s what crazy is/ When it’s broke and you say there’s nothing to fix.”
‘Last First Kiss’ from ‘Take Me Home’
Performances from their Take Me Home Tour shows, captured in their 2013 concert film/documentary “This Is Us,” are so vividly etched in my memory whenever I listen to 1D’s sophomore album that I feel like I’m sitting among the screaming fans of 2013.
Although “Last First Kiss” (Liam, Louis, and Zayn share writing credits with five others) didn’t make the final cut of the film, one of my favorite scenes is a criminally underrated clip where they play along to a reggae-tinged version of the song during rehearsals, which no one ever thought would make it into the recording, but was left in as an afterthought.
Best Lyric: “Girl, what would you do?/ Would you wanna stay/ If I were to say/ I wanna be last, yeah/ Baby, let me be your, let me be your last first kiss.”
‘Story of My Life’ from ‘Midnight Memories’
“Midnight Memories” was the turning point where One Direction really got personal, and the boys’ fingerprints are all over their third album. They were young men and officially household names.
The second single from 1D’s third album, “Story of My Life” was a complete 180 from their “Best Song Ever” single — and, frankly, more in line with the ethos of “Midnight Memories.”
If I recall correctly, fans were wildly excited about how deep 1D went in their self-proclaimed rock album. Tumblr was flooded with GIFs of the “SOML” music video, which featured the boys looking back on their childhoods and taking family photos with siblings, parents, and grandparents.
Best Lyric: “I leave my heart open/ But it stays right here empty for days.”
‘Right Now’ from ‘Midnight Memories’
Zayn’s stunning vocals on “Right Now” are the key feature that makes Track 9 of “Midnight Memories” one of my most listened to songs. Just listen to the man effortlessly hit every note during one of their live performances on the Where We Are Tour.
The album delved into nostalgia on “Don’t Forget Where You Belong” and also on “Right Now,” where Niall and Harry sing, “We won’t be going home for so long, for so long.” The lyrics say the boys felt bittersweet because they had everything they could ever want on the road, but there were also people in their personal lives that they were missing.
Best lyric: “Right now/ I wish you were here with me/ ‘Cause right now/ Everything is new to me.”
‘Through the Dark’ from ‘Midnight Memories’
That One Direction chose to perform their Mumford and Sons-esque “Through the Dark” on 2013’s “Saturday Night Live” was a pleasant surprise. Liam kicks off the song, which is about supporting a loved one going through a tough time. Payne also performed the song solo with his more mature, velvety vocals on his 2021 livestream concert series, “The LP Show.”
Of “Midnight Memories,” former Facts Times reporter Brian Mansfield wrote in 2013, “One Direction still seems to be developing, with some members — notably Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne — emerging as solid songwriters.” He also noted that “Through the Dark” was one of the album’s most downloaded songs (before most people were streaming their music, of course).
Best Lyric: “I wish that I could take you to the start/ I’d never let you fall and break your heart/ And if you wanna cry or fall apart/ I’ll be there to hold
‘Fire resistant’ by ‘Vier’
In 2014, 1D released their final album with Zayn and his trademark falsetto. The “Four” era kicked off in a big way with the guitar-led “Fireproof,” a free download that convinced even my most 1D-ambivalent friends to say, “This is One Direction?”
Honestly one of my most played songs to date (even surpassing “Right Now”).
Best lyric: “I think I’m gonna win this time/ I roll, and I roll, ’til I change my luck.”