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Where to start? One Direction has been a part of my life through my formative years and makes up a considerably large fragment of my mosaic of interests. Though the band officially went on a "hiatus" at the beginning of 2016 following the release of their fifth studio album and former member Zayn Malik's departure, their music and legacy have not gone unforgotten in the hearts of the fans and in the music industry on a larger scale. Their influence was monumental. I never stopped listening to their music through early adulthood and constantly shook off judgment from others who discredited their art because they were a boy band, or because their fanbase was made up largely of girls. Music changes lives, and these five boys had the perfect blend of vocal talent, charisma, support from Simon Cowell's network of music industry giants, and maybe a little bit of luck to do just that.
Last week on October 16th, Liam Payne died from a fall during a hotel stay in Argentina. Payne was a driving force within the band, having written/co-written 34 of their songs. In a statement from former bandmate Louis Tomlinson, he says "And for the record, Liam was, in my opinion, the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam."
Here, I'd like to highlight some of my favorite lyrics from One Direction songs he has writing credits on.
"I'm like a crow on a wire
You're the shining distraction that makes me fly home.
I'm like a boat on the water,
You're the rays on the waves that calm my mind,
Oh, every time."
-"Fool's Gold," FOUR.
"Written in these walls are the stories that I can't explain,
Leave my heart open, but it stays right here empty for days.
She told me in the morning she don't feel the same about us in her bones,
It seems to me that when I die, these words will be written on my stone.
...
Written on these walls are the colors that I can't change.
Leave my heart open but it stays right here in its cage.
I know that in the morning I'll see us in the light upon the hill.
Although I am broken my heart is untamed, still."
-"Story of My Life," FOUR
"There's a lightning in your eyes I can't deny,
Then there's me inside a sinking boat, running out of time.
Without you, I'll never make it out alive,
But I know, yes I know we'll be alright.
...
There's a devil in your smile, it's chasing me,
And every time I turn around it's only gaining speed.
There's a moment when you finally realize,
There's no way you can change the rolling tide."
-"Ready to Run," FOUR
"Point of no return and now it's just too late to turn around.
I try to forgive you but I'm struggling 'cause I don't know how.
We built it up so high and now I'm falling,
It's a long way down."
-"Long Way Down," Made In The A.M.
"What a feeling to be right here beside you now.
Holding you in my arms.
When the air ran out and we both started running wild,
The sky fell down. But you've got stars, they're in your eyes,
I've got something missing tonight.
What a feeling to be a king beside you now.
I wish I could be there now."
-"What a Feeling," Made In The A.M.
Honorable mention: The verses of "Better Than Words." Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson wrote its verses solely comprised of other song titles.
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