7 Reasons You Need To Stop Blindly Hating One Direction

Boy bands are so 2002, but you should still give One Direction a chance.

My best friend recently gifted me a floor seat to see One Direction. My first reaction was "Uhm, no thanks." After some pestering on her end, I decided that all of the worst case scenarios playing in my head were unlikely.

Although the only thing I really knew about them was that they were a boy band that prances around the beach in preppy stripes, I decided to attend the One Direction concert.

Originally, I secretly wanted to write an article about how terrible the experience was. I was even prepared to take mental notes of any small thing that annoyed me. That was my plan.

What actually happened? 25 songs later, I was running out of Soldier Field trying to find the setlist on Spotify, and cursing myself for even considering not going. Oops.

Hi, here are 7 reasons you need to pop your over-inflated ego and listen to One Direction:

1. You've only actually heard What Makes You Beautiful.

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If every artist was judged by their first popular song, there wouldn't be many great artists.

2. They are talented grown-ass men.

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The thing that struck me most about One Direction was the adult topics in their lyrics, many of which they write themselves. They sing about things you're experiencing, like dating, unrequited/hidden love, and morning wood. Yes, No Control is literally about waking up next to the person of your dreams with a boner.

3. Their fan base is more diverse than you perceive.

abdul @Advil

😎

07:55 PM - 03 Apr 2015

But what about all the screaming ten year olds?!? Just so you know, you don't have to fit the stereotype of a fanbase to enjoy their music. It's 2015. Have we not already proven time upon time that stereotypes are complete bullishit? Your doctor probably jams to Stockholm Syndrome.

FYI: there were plenty of people over the age of 18. Speaking of which, 18 is another great One Direction song.

4. You don't know why you hate them.

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I get it. Boy bands aren't supposed to be cool anymore. Put aside the fact that there are five voices (I've counted Zayn, because his vocals appear on everything thus far except latest single Drag Me Down), and enjoy the music for what it is.

5. You, and your music, taste are not actually that cool.

Pat Tomasulo @pattomasulo

I went to One Direction. I made another child cry. Perhaps I stop interviewing children? http://t.co/C0wrFMIjRa

10:23 PM - 26 Aug 2015

You are no better than anyone for not liking One Direction. As fun as you may think it is to mock people for listening to a boy band, it just makes you a jerk. Please don’t bash young girls for liking a band. What’s wrong with you?

6. A change is coming.

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Remember when it was cool to hate Taylor Swift? Remember when Miley was struggling to shake her Hannah Montana past? One Direction has grown up, and their image will soon follow. They've skyrocketed past What Makes You Beautiful, but the general public is struggling to catch up. As it happened with Taylor and Miley, it will happen with One Direction. Take this hiatus as a warning.

7. Did I mention they are grown-ass men?

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The youngest member of One Direction is 21, so it's safe to say they are no longer boys. They are living life as young adult men. They are covered in tattoos. They drink, smoke, have sex, allegedly impregnate women, and love just like any other man in his twenties would. Nothing about them is 16 anymore.

I'm going to let you in on a secret.

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You don't want to be on the tail end of this rebrand. Soon after this hiatus, One Direction will rise above their adolescent X Factor origins. Trust me, you don't want to be 4-5 albums behind like I once was. I hate to say it, but my friend was right.

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