20. Home
How this wasn’t a single, or at least an album track, I will never know. This song might scream ‘boyband’, but by boyband I mean the sort that has been making music together for at least a decade, not four years. You can see thus just from way their voices flow and sync together.
You can listen to the song here:
19. Fool’s Gold
Fool’s Gold is indescribable, but the closest word I can find for it is delicate. The song doesn’t have to be about a romantic relationship, this theme of betrayal, time wasting and heartbreak is prevalent in many situations. Clearly this is true seeing as every member was involved in writing the song.
You can listen to the song here:
18. Walking In The Wind
You can tell that this isn’t just a list of my twenty favourite songs in order, otherwise Walking In The Wind would be a lot higher. The production is fresh and unique whilst still allowing the vocals to take some of the spotlight, however I don’t think it would be everyone’s cup of tea and it’s uncertain how it would do as a single. People would either believe the band are trying too hard to create something a little different, or they would appreciate that they chose something less commercial as a single.
You can listen to the song here:
17. Long Way Down
Recently I saw this song on a playlist of mine and was reminded of how much I love it, in particular the pre-chorus. You’re unlikely to find the most underrated song on a list like this, but I feel like this song is truly overlooked by the fandom because of people being so upset about Zayn’s departure and not paying attention to this album’s non-singles, when really I expect the band wanted it to be a fan favourite (especially Louis and Liam who were the song’s songwriters/producers).
You can listen to the song here:
16. Something Great
Along with Right Now and Fool’s Gold, this song is in the top three most emotional 1D songs, If I could Fly following closely. Many fans would agree with this, purely for the verse at the end.
You can listen to the song here:
15. Clouds
I’m not sure if anyone knows exactly what this song means, but it’s got an undeniably fantastic chorus built up by the shameless lyric You’re gonna wish you never left me sung by first Louis then Zayn.
You can listen to the song here:
14. History
History is no where near being my favourite song, but it definitely caused the boys to be taken a lot more seriously musically. Despite this the song doesn’t bring them too outside of their comfort zone, containing familiar acoustics and ‘laddy’ harmonies.
You can listen to the song here:
13. Once In A Lifetime
This song is no longer underrated after Liam was quick to claim it as his favourite song of the band. I never really listen to the song since it has such a melancholia to it, but there is nothing I can criticise about it. And even if there was, Louis and Niall’s beautifully arranged alternating lines would make up for it.
You can listen to the song here:
12. Diana
Diana was one of the last songs I listened to by One Direction before knowing their entire discography because I put it off for ages after hearing about how sad it was and the dark, heartbreaking meaning behind it. However when I finally listened to it I saw how the members put a spin on this dark heartbreaking topic with a sweet tuneful melody and uplifting lyrics.
You can listen to the song here:
11. Ready To Run
How has this song not been used for a film yet? Just listen to the lyrics: Without you I’ll never make it out alive, but I know, yes I know we’ll be alright and Escape from the city and follow the sun.
You can listen to the song here:
10. Gotta Be You
Not many would agree with me on this, but without the lazy teen music video this song would have been taken a lot more seriously. It shouldn’t be the slower tempo shadow of What makes you beautiful when to me it sounds like a Take That comeback track that could easily fit in with the FOUR or Made in the A.M album.
You can listen to the song here:
9. Stockholm Syndrome
Before hearing Diana this was my favourite one direction song. The verses you feel like you’re walking down a never ending staircase. Then the chorus comes and you trip and jump, almost falling down those stairs. There’s no other way to describe it honestly.
You can listen to the song here:
8. Kiss You
When I was going through my anti One Direction phase from ages 5-8, this was the song that was an exception because it’s undoubtedly amazing. How this only got to number nine in the charts and the backhanded complimentary Little Things got to number one will remain a mystery to me. It’s what critics would call a true pop song.
You can listen to the song here:
7. Night Changes
Night Changes made everyone look at the British sensations a little differently, including my mum whose favourite 1D song is this. The lyrics have suddenly matured since Over Again (which I do still love, by the way) or Half A Heart (which was only an album behind Night Changes) and the band seemed to realise you don’t always need a fast tempo to make a good song.
You can listen to the song here:
6. If I could Fly
Flawless vocals are almost vital factors when creating a strong song that your fans and the public will like (I mean look at Beyoncé). The progress they had made since their Up All Night attempt to make a ballad, I wish, is phenomenal. These are sort of lyrics you would have on posters, on your lock-screen, in your bio.
You can listen to the song here:
5. Same Mistakes
Whilst they may not have been able to make a proper ballad on Up All Night, One Direction gave their fans this musical-esque piece in 2011 and it seems to have been forgotten. Just because it’s surrounded by Everything about you and Save you tonight on the track listing, that does not mean it’s bad. Was there even another song like this that year, with production not too over done and autotune toned down a little?
You can listen to the song here:
4. Fireproof
There is a constant battle between Fireproof and What a feeling as to which is my favourite song. Both embody a Fleetwood Mac atmosphere, but with Fireproof being a bit more of a romantic dedication song, that whilst is sweet and written well, we’ve seen 1D do this before, just not this good.
You can listen to the song here:
3. Right Now
Lyrical delivery is perfect here. And whilst the song sounds like it belongs on a music/dance themed show, Right Now is the realest song on this list, being the most relatable for each and every member due to the chaotic lives they led at the time. Whether it was Harry dedicating it to his mum or Liam dedicating it to his girlfriend, it captured all five of the boys’ moments when stepping up on stage.
You can listen to the song here:
2. Summer Love
Seeing this bittersweet melody so high up on another list ranking 1D songs made me realise how marvellous it really is. And like Fool’s Gold, every member was involved in writing Summer Love. The imagery here is truly incredible, and definitely one for the synesthetes.
You can listen to the song here:
1. What A Feeling
Here we have the song that paved the way for mystic, glittery production. Every time I hear this song, it has a new meaning. What a feeling is not what most people would expect them to write, and it’s not like any other song they have written either. It’s so good it’s my ringtone.
You can listen to the song here: