A Definitive List Of The 10 Best, 10 Worst, And 10 Most Underrated One Direction Songs

Because the quality of their music is something that we really don’t talk about enough.

PopCrush / Via popcrush.com

A few days ago, I came across this Buzzfeed article titled, “33 of the Best, Worst, And Most Underrated Taylor Swift Songs According to Me”. Being a new Taylor Swift fan, I found it very informative and I give kudos to the author for such insightful rankings. All that to say, it inspired me to write this article and inform you on a matter that I feel just as passionate about as the original poster: One Direction’s discography.

Most people write them off because they’re “just a poppy boyband”, and yes they are “no longer together” (still waiting for the end of that bogus 2-year ~hiatus~ whatever that even means) but the quality of their music is something that we really don’t talk about enough.

For those of you Directioners reading this, I know what you’re thinking and I need you to chill out. I assure you I am more than qualified to speak on this subject. We are going on 7 years of experience here. So let’s get to it, shall we? Let’s start with the worst.

10 Worst ❌

It’s hard to categorize them as “worst” because 1D truly doesn’t make bad music, but for various reasons, these songs are just not great. Do I still know all the words though? Absolutely.

1. Rock Me

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

I don’t know if it’s the fact that Harry Styles is singing about “rocking” a girl during the summer of 09 when he was literally 14 years old, or if it’s the whole spelling out of “R-O-C-K M-E” in the middle of the song that bothers me, but I just know I cannot take this song seriously when it comes on. I absolutely skip this song without fail every time and laugh as I am doing so.

Lyric that almost saves it: NONE there are no good lyrics to this song omg I can’t even pick one.

2. Over Again

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

I might honestly get hate mail over this because I think this might be an unpopular opinion but this song is just not my favorite. It’s like a sad attempt at a “Moments 2.0” but they really missed the mark. I honestly expected so much more from Ed Sheeran co-writing this song, but alas I was disappointed. It did teach me what a "polo" was though!

Lyric that almost saves it: Any of Zayn’s riffs or the bridge honestly

3. Taken

I think this might be the token hated song by all 1D fans everywhere. I’ve read so many opinions that talk about this song being their worst. For that reason alone, I feel like I have to include it, even if I don’t mind it so much.

Lyric that almost saves it: “You don’t really want my heart/ No, you just like to know you can”

4. Temporary Fix

This is another song that isn’t horrible, but it honestly isn’t good either. It feels rushed, the lyrics aren’t inherently deep, and it’s honestly just kind of a painful song to listen to. V disappointed in Niall because he wrote it, and I honestly expected better from the most flawless and unproblematic member of the band.

Lyric that almost saves it: This is another “Rock Me” situation. Cannot even justify any lyric.

5. Alive

This song might be the only blemish on the flawlessness that is Midnight Memories (that is absolutely their best album do not fight me) which is why it’s good that it’s a bonus song on the deluxe edition. I don’t really like it for the same reasons that I don’t like “Temporary Fix”. It does have this cool 80s rock feel going for it, but overall 5/10 would not recommend.

Lyric that almost saves it: Again, where’s the depth 1D? This song is as shallow as Zayn’s commitment to the band.

6. Save You Tonight

When I went back and listened to these songs for ~research~, I never realized how truly mediocre their first album was. Maybe it’s because I ordered that thing off of Amazon UK (because I couldn’t get it in the states at the time) and I waited weeks for it so when I got it, I listened to nothing else. But regardless, they’ve come a long way since then. This song is just kind of boring. Nothing wrong with it, just not notable in any way, shape, or form.

Lyric that almost saves it: "What you want, what you need has been right here/ I can see that you’re holding back those tears"

7. I Want

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

Another one of our friends from the Up All Night era. This song was written with McFly and maybe it’s just that I’m not into their sound, but this song is just honestly the worst. It’s kind of scatterbrained and it doesn’t really make any logical sense to me.

Lyric that almost saves it: "If I changed the world for you I bet you wouldn’t have a clue"

8. Stole My Heart

See what I mean about the first album? Comparatively, not great at all. 10/10 skip these songs when they come up on my 1D playlist. This song has like some techno vibes to it and I don’t really understand it.

Lyric that almost saves it: "With just one look, when I saw your face/I fell in love/It took a minute girl to steal my heart tonight"

9. What A Feeling

This song is boring as heck to me. Like full on ready to fall asleep every time I listen to it. It’s got like this 70s feel to it which is probably definitely Harry’s doing, but I just cannot get down with it.

Lyric that almost saves it: "What a feeling to be a king beside you somehow/ I wish I could be there now"

10. I Want to Write You a Song

Via youtube.com

I honestly want to like this song with everything in me because the idea of 1D wanting to write a song for a girl is beautiful, but alas, I cannot like this song. It’s boring and quite honestly the lyrics leave a lot to be desired. Super disappointing and really a missed opportunity for all parties involved.

Lyric that almost saves it: "I want to write you a song/ One that’s beautiful as you are sweet/ with just a hint of pain for the feeling that I get when you are gone"

10 Best 🏆

These are the songs that are the very essence of One Direction; their greatest hits and the best they have to offer. Most if not all of them the world can agree are their best because they are chart-topping hits and rightfully so as they are the best of the best.

1. What Makes You Beautiful

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

Yes, I know that this is the most overplayed song they have, but it’s still a whole bop. If you say you didn’t become a fan of 1D because of this song, you’re lying. Everyone wants someone to say these lyrics to them and I honestly think that’s why this song took the world by storm. With this song, they blew every record out of the water, and if nothing else, that's what puts it on this list.

Iconic lyrics: "If only you saw what I can see/ You’ll understand why I want you so desperately/ Right now I’m looking at you and I can’t believe/ You don’t know you’re beautiful"

2. Perfect

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

I don’t know what it is about this song but it’s just good. For a while, I tried to say that it was overplayed, overrated, and the concept of the song was annoying, but honestly even I couldn’t deny its catchy beat. Solid jam. I absolutely max the volume every time I hear it and you should too.

Iconic Lyrics: THE BRIDGE OMG everyone knows it’s about T Swift and I’m living for it. Plus Harry Styles I mean come on.

3. Story of My Life

Sony Music Corporation / Via gfycat.com

This song is perfect and if you don’t think so you’re wrong. The lyrics are solid, the video is absolutely one of their best, and it’s a hit from when they were in their prime so honestly the nostalgia alone qualifies it. Even people who don’t like 1D can get down with this song and that’s saying something.

Iconic Lyrics: "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"

4. Drag Me Down

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

This song was their comeback song after Zayn left. It was a big F-U to every hater that said their music would be crap because this song ended up being one of their best of all time. Not to mention they dropped it without ANY warning which is a total Beyonce move. It’s said it’s dedicated to their fans and if you listen to the lyrics with that perspective one can get v emotional. The video leaves something to be desired but don't even get me started on that.

Iconic Lyrics: "All my life you stood by me/ when no one else was ever behind me/ all these lights they can’t blind me/ with your love nobody can drag me down."

5. You & I

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

Despite the crucial grammatical error in every line of the chorus (subject vs object pronouns ok? Trust me I’m an English teacher), this song is iconic. It’s deep, it’s meaningful, Zayn kills every single riff he does etc. Plus they released an entire perfume line named after this song and honestly, it smells like this song sounds: heavenly. Again, the video is not my cup of tea even though every other fan loved it, but the song still is one of their best.

Iconic Lyrics: "You and I/ We don’t want to be like them we can make it to the end/ Nothing can come between you and I"

6. One Thing

Sony Music Corporation / Via i.gifer.com

I kid you not, I listened to this song on repeat for days after I heard it. It’s absolutely my favorite song off of the first album and always will be. It’s catchy, it’s relatable, and the video is so British it hurts. I may or may not have pretended I was living in my own version of the video when I rode in the iconic double-decker buses around London. Don’t judge me you would have absolutely done the same thing.

Iconic Lyrics: "So get out, get out, get out of my head/ and fall into my arms instead"

7. Little Things

Sony Music Corporation / Via wifflegif.com

This song literally has everything do not even fight me. 5 of the world’s most sought-after guys singing about how all a girl’s imperfections make her perfect? Obviously, we have Ed Sheeran to thank for the wonderful lyrics, but 1D sings it so wonderfully well that it has to be in their top 10. Also, the video is nothing but them singing the song directly into the camera and honestly isn’t that everything you’ve ever wanted?

Iconic Lyrics: "You’ll never love yourself half as much as I love you/ You’ll never treat yourself right darling but I want you to/ If I let you know I’m here for you/ Maybe you’ll love yourself like I love you"

8. Moments

Sony Music Corporation / Via rebloggy.com

If you don’t love "Moments" are you even a One Direction fan? They showed their softer side for the first time with this song on the first album and since then it’s been a constant love affair between Ed Sheeran’s lyrics and 1D vocals. And it’s even better when they sing it live.

Iconic Lyrics: "If we could only have this life for one more day/ If we could only turn back time"

9. Night Changes

Sony Music Corporation / Via gfycat.com

Guys. I have a lot of thoughts about this song and I just cannot separate if it’s the song or the fact that I literally can see the video play in my head every time the song comes on. The writing is superb. It starts and ends with the same theme and there’s just something to be said about songs that come back around. And did I mention the video? Because that video really should come with a warning. Heart palpitations are common and to be expected.

Iconic Lyrics: "Everything that you’ve ever dreamed of disappearing when you wake up/ but there’s nothing to be afraid of even when the night changes/ it will never change me and you"

10. Kiss You

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

I LOVE THIS SONG. Could listen to it all day and never get tired of it. It’s catchy, it’s fun, and the video is the very essence of the ridiculousness of 1D so much so that it hurts. It reminds me of a simpler time where there were no baby scandals, sudden dropouts, or aggressive Larry shippers.

Iconic Lyrics: "So tell me girl if every time we touch you get this kind of rush/ Baby say yeah, yeah"

10 Underrated 💎

This is absolutely my favorite category because you’ve got to go deep into the depths of these albums to find these gems. They are why we love One Direction and it’s not for the reasons people think; these songs are truly just good, solid pieces of art. Unfortunately, they often get more overlooked than Leo at the Oscars.

1. If I Could Fly

I will absolutely go out on a limb and say that this is One Direction’s best song ever made. Why didn’t I put it in the best category then? I’m so glad you asked. Because…no one knows about it outside of the fandom. It’s truly underrated and honestly still waiting for the Grammy it deserves.

Lyrics that we honestly don’t deserve: "If I could fly I’d be coming right back home to you/ I think I might give up everything just ask me to"

2. Happily

One time someone told me that Harry wrote this song while in the middle of a field and regardless of if it's true or not I cannot help but picture it every single time. This song is fun, catchy, and I feel like people forget about how good it is because it’s overshadowed by the likes of “Story of My Life” and “You & I” from the same era. Truly a travesty.

Lyrics that we honestly don’t deserve: "And if he feels my traces in your hair/ Sorry love but I don’t really care"

3. Ready to Run

Sony Music Corporation / Via giphy.com

I feel like the Four album doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves. This song is the second song on the album after their single, “Steal My Girl,” and it sets the tone for the whole thing. Keeps it going with a bang. I don’t run and I know this song isn’t really about running per se, but nonetheless this song makes me want to run it gets me so hype.

Lyrics that we honestly don’t deserve: "This time I’m ready to run/ Wherever you are is the place I belong/ cause I wanna be free and I wanna be young/ I’ll never look back now I’m ready to run"

4. Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Sony Music Corporation / Via aysabaw.com

To add to my case about Four, the next exhibit is this song. Again, it keeps the momentum moving and I love the lyrics. What’s better than a guy realizing he screwed up and doing everything he can to get his girl back? This song is the music equivalent of the rom-com scene where the hero is running through the airport to stop the heroine from getting on the plane.

Lyrics that we honestly don’t deserve: "Counted all my mistakes and there’s only one standing out from the list of the things I’ve done/ All the rest of my crimes don’t come close to the look on your face when I let you go"

5. Through the Dark

Sony Music Corporation

The guys performed this song one time on SNL and yes it was disappointing, but the SONG Y’ALL. It’s got that folk style that was for real the thing back in 2012 (shoutout to Mumford) and the lyrics are just phenomenal. People don’t talk about it enough and I honestly think about that tragedy a lot still.

Lyrics that we honestly don’t deserve: "Oh I will carry you over fire and water for your love/ and I will hold you closer hope your heart is strong enough/ when the night is coming down we will find a way through the dark"

6. Last First Kiss

Sony Music Corporation / Via zaynical.tumblr.com

This song is the quintessential “friends but more than friends” song. It’s the, “Do you want to kiss me as bad as I want to kiss you because if so let’s be together forever,” and it’s phenomenal. It’s got all the makings of a good rom-com in a short 3-minute package and if you want to just bask in the innocence of what love should be like, then this song is it.

Lyrics that we honestly don’t deserve: "I wanna be last, yeah, baby let me be your last first kiss/ I wanna be first, yeah, wanna be the first to take it all the way like this"

7. Better Than Words

Sony Music Corporation / Via weheartit.com

Really the reason this song made the list is because yes it’s catchy, but the concept for the song is so freaking clever. Every line in the song is the title of a popular song except for the chorus and it’s honestly the coolest thing. Your faves could never.

Lyrics we honestly don’t deserve: the whole thing honestly. Don’t @ me.

8. Spaces

Sony Music Corporation / Via gifer.com

Another gem from the forgotten Four era. Honestly, one of the saddest songs on the album but also one of the best. I mean can’t you just feel the push and pull of the relationship that inspired this song? It’s heartbreaking and it makes you feel all the feels, but if you don’t sing it at the top of your lungs at max volume when it comes on, then you’re doing it wrong. Go back and try it again. Plus there’s a vine floating around out there on the internet somewhere (that I cannot find for the life of me) that someone posted after Zayn left with this song in the background and a visual of a Zayn vigil and that alone should keep this in the top 10.

Lyrics we honestly don’t deserve: Who’s gonna be the first one to compromise?/ Who’s gonna be the first one to set it all on fire?/ Who’s gonna be the last one to drive away?/ Forgetting every single promise we ever made?

9. Tell Me A Lie

This song gets me so hype. I have no idea why it didn’t get more credit when the first album came out because I love it so much. Kelly Clarkson wrote it and it’s absolutely got her fire to it. I will still go hard when this song comes on don’t even try me.

Lyrics we honestly don’t deserve: THE CHORUS

10. Clouds

I didn’t even give this song the credit it deserved for the longest time but it’s a true gem. Again from the Four album, this song comes in strong with the beat, lyrics, and overall feel. It’s a fun song but it’s also a “hey you’re gonna regret leaving me” type of song and who can’t relate to that?!

Lyrics we honestly don’t deserve: "Someday you’re gonna see the things that I see/ you’re gonna want the air that I breathe/ you’re gonna wish you never left me"

Well, there you have it, friends. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Agree/disagree? Leave a comment and let's discuss. Maybe it will make us forget the hiatus ever existed in the first place 😭.

Associated Press