Even if One Direction never reunites, we'll still have all of their music from the 2010s, and let's face it, these songs didn't make the band famous for nothing. And hey, when quarantine gets you down, there's nothing better than to relive the glory days by listening to some of these bangers. You'll find a playlist with these top 30 songs at the end, and here is one with all One Direction songs ever. But if you're reading this, I'm sure you have one of your own!
So let's get into the top 30 One Direction songs of all time!
30. Olivia
This song immediately gets your feet tapping because of its lively beat, and its lyrics, as with all One Direction songs, are top-notch. The fact that this awesome song just made it into my top 30 list just shows how good One Direction songs really are. 'This isn't the stain of a red wine, I'm bleeding love,' is one of this song's interesting lyrics. You can catch the full song here!
29. I Want
The music in this song is *chef's kiss*. Simple, but perfect. The lyrics basically reflect the reality of life, but this song always makes me smile. 'You've got everything you need, But you want accessories...' One Direction teaches us to be grateful for what we have with this song, which you can listen to here!
28. You & I
This song is incredible, and the transitions in the video basically inspired TikTok transitions! There's also a parody on YouTube — Pizza Pie, which is hilarious. You can find the video here! 'You and I, we don't wanna be like them' is one of my favorite lyrics from this song, which you can find here!
27. Story of My Life
This is probably my favorite 1D music video ever! The pictures, the memories, the lyrics, everything is immaculate, and never fails to impress. 'I leave my heart open but it stays right here empty for days' is one really heartbreaking lyric from this song!
26. Fool's Gold
This song's lyrics are so beautiful and poetic that, coupled with calming music in the background, it hits all the right notes. 'And I know in my heart, you're not a constant star' is one lyric we should definitely analyze in English class! Here's the full song if you want to listen to it!
25. Ready to Run
Lyrics, awesome. Music, awesome. Will you sing your heart out to it?
Yes. Can this song get better? I don't think so. It also has some life advice from One Direction themselves — 'There will always be the kind that criticize, But I know, yes I know we'll be alright' which you can hear them sing here!
24. If I Could Fly
These guys can really sing, huh? With some light piano in the background, we really get to hear the talented members of One Direction sing their hearts out with meaningful lyrics like this one — 'I've got scars, Even though they can't always be seen, And pain gets hard, But now you're here and I don't feel a thing.' Here's the full song!
23. Kiss You
This song has a super fun beat and really gets you dancing. The over-the-top outfits, the goofy actions, it's perfect. And Zayn swimming away from a shark with floaties and a terrified look on his face?
Wow. 'We could go out any day, any night' is a lyric COVID-19 didn't really like, huh? Click here for the full song!
22. One Way or Another
This music video is so incredibly goofy, it'll definitely make you laugh. Can this song raise money for charity? The answer to that would be an astounding yes. 'And if the lights are all out, I'll follow your bus downtown, See who's hanging out,' would be creepy, but it's One Direction, so it works! You can listen to the full song here!
21. Up All Night
There's a Katy Perry mention, there's an energetic beat, and the lyrics are so uplifting that even 2020 couldn't hurt them. In my personal opinion, this is the dance song of the 2010s, if only we could relive it. 'Nobody's going home tonight...' is a lyric that should be modified to 'Nobody's leaving home tonight' after the tragedy of 2020. Here's the full song if you want to pretend like the pandemic never happened.
20. Diana
By this point, you should know that when One Direction names a song after a person, it's going to be an absolute banger. And this song definitely is. I think we all want to be Diana after listening to this. 'I never would mistreat ya...' is one of the lyrics from this song, which you can find here!
19. Rock Me
The second this song starts, you're already dancing. Yelling these lyrics and stamping your feet is a whole vibe. 'Lying on the beach as the sun blew out, Playing this guitar by the fire too loud' sounds good, doesn't it? You can listen to the song here!
18. Little Things
This song is so beautiful and meaningful that it's a must-listen. I guarantee you will smile hearing these lyrics. 'Maybe you'll love yourself like I love you, oh' is one of them, and it is so sweet! Click here for the full song!
17. Where Do Broken Hearts Go
Is it even possible to turn a terrible mistake into an amazing song? Yes, and this song is proof of that. An incredible beat only makes this already good song better. 'And I wrote you a song with the words you spoke...' Well, that's one way to say you're sorry, and there's more in the full song, which you can listen to here!
16. Midnight Memories
They didn't name an album after this song for nothing. I like to think of this song as 'Up All Night' but better, somehow. A karaoke night with this song would guarantee an amazing time. 'Straight off the plane to a new hotel, Just touched down, you could never tell, A big house party with a crowded kitchen' reminds you of the good old days, which you can relive here!
15. Best Song Ever
'Never in a million years.' If you haven't watched the music video for this song, you need to go do that right now. Zayn plays a female assistant and flirts with himself, Niall and Louis play studio executives, Harry says “cute as a button, every single one of you,” Liam plays the chOreOgrapher...Not to mention the dance moves are on point. Do you even need more convincing? Here's the full song for your listening pleasure!
14. Live While We're Young
Another vibey song with lively beats and amazing lyrics. This one will get your head banging for sure. Play this song and pretend 2020 never killed the vibe. 'Let's go crazy, crazy, crazy 'til we see the sun, I know we only met, but let's pretend it's love' is one of my favorite lyrics from the song, which you can listen to here!
13. History
One less band member didn't stop the band from producing killer songs, and this is definitely one of them. Listening to this song will make you relive all the memories, all the feels... And the bridge is my absolute favorite. 'Minibars, expensive cars, Hotel rooms and new tattoos, The good champagne, and private planes, But they don't mean anything...' is an excerpt from the fantastic bridge, which you can listen to here!
12. C'mon C'mon
Your date leaves you alone? No problem, at least for One Direction in this song. It'll get you dancing as well, with or without your date! 'But you look amazing, Standing alone' is a lyric from the song, which you can find here!
11. No Control
I might have the Just Dance steps to this song memorized, and for good reason. The lyrics are superb, and the music will make you want to throw your hands up in the air and dance! You can find the Just Dance YouTube video here, and the full song here!
10. More Than This
Had to throw in a slower-paced song, and this one is one of the best! Perfect for a sad or heartbreak playlist, because even a sad One Direction song can make you happy, as we all know. 'I'm broken, do you hear me? I'm blinded, 'cause you are everything I see... I'm dancing alone...' Even the beginning of the song is perfect. Listen to the full song here!
9. Stockholm Syndrome
Never thought a song about Stockholm syndrome could be good? This song will prove you wrong! Then again, it's One Direction singing about falling in love with a girl who kidnapped them.
Can't go wrong with that, huh? 'But I fear I'm getting used to Being held by you' is one of the lyrics. Here's the full song!
8. Drag Me Down
Another one of the four-member One Direction hits, this song is poetic and will have you singing your heart out. 'You taught me how to be someone, yeah' is one of this song's superb lyrics. And One Direction as astronauts? A must-watch indeed. It's also a must-listen, so you can find the full song here!
7. Steal My Girl
This song is nothing short of fabulous. And it comes with a side of 'destroying your inhibitions'! With a feet-tapping beat, well-written lyrics, and incredible visuals, this song is a certified bop! 'I don't exist If I don't have her, The sun doesn't shine, The world doesn't turn' is certainly dramatic. Listen to the band sing it here!
6. One Thing
Basically a typical 2012 love song, which is what makes this song so amazing! Again, its lyrics and background music along with an adorable video make it a stand-out! 'You're my kryptonite...' We love a Superman reference. Here's the full song!
5. They Don't Know About Us
I don't know about you, but this 'declaring your love for someone to the world' vibe hits all the right beats! It's not in my top five 1D favorites for nothing! One Direction says 'I just wanna tell the world that you're mine, girl' and I say 'I just wanna listen to this song all the time!' And to do that, click here!
4. Perfect
This song truly embodies its name, in that it is PER-FECT, as Leeroy says. The lyrics are so beautiful, and the black-and-white video complements them perfectly. Don't tell me this lyric isn't perfect — 'But if you like causing trouble up in hotel rooms, And if you like having secret little rendezvous... If you like to do the things you know that we shouldn't do, Then baby, I'm perfect, Baby, I'm perfect for you.' You can listen to the other perfect lyrics here!
3. 18
I think we all saw this coming. Coming in at number 3, 18 is seriously one of the best songs One Direction has released, ever. It has some really nice background music and sweet lyrics, and it's one of those songs you sway to, you know? 'I have loved you since we were 18' is now a super famous lyric that you can listen to here!
2. What Makes You Beautiful
Surprised that this is second? Sorry, my taste is probably different from the usual. But, I must admit that this song always makes me smile. Jamming to this song at the highest volume is a level of happiness one cannot describe. 'You don't know you're beautiful, oh-oh, That's what makes you beautiful...' This chorus for sure is beautiful, so give it a listen by clicking here!
1. Night Changes
Yes, my absolute favorite One Direction song ever has to be Night Changes. I absolutely adore this song, maybe because of its top-notch lyrics, a hilarious music video, and, of course, immaculate background music. It also really feels like they're singing to you, doesn't it?
Then again, I really wouldn't want to be the camerawoman in this video. You can judge for yourself, but you must listen to this one (by clicking here). At least to see Niall's adorable dog :) And of course, Zayn the spaghetti head.
Maybe my choices are different from yours, but then again, it's extremely difficult to choose One Direction's best songs when they're all fantastic. Anyway, here is a playlist with these top 30 One Direction songs. Enjoy!
