One Direction Albums | Graphic by Bethany Althauser | The Wright State Guardian
Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall and Zayn. These five guys, now grown men, had once made up one of the biggest boy bands across the globe. From their most-known hits of “What Makes You Beautiful” to “Drag Me Down,” there is a song that everyone recognizes from the band.
During their time together, One Direction recorded a total of five albums, and they will be ranked here accordingly.
5: “Up All Night”
The album that started it all but obviously not comparable to what was yet to come. The debut album contains the familiar “What Makes You Beautiful” and “One Thing.” Despite being on the bottom of the list, the wonderful album is still one of nostalgia and bittersweet memories.
Top three songs: “Moments,” “More Than This” and “Same Mistakes.”
Best lines: “If we could only have this life for one more day / If we could only turn back time.”
4: “Take Me Home”
The second album to be released and the first album that introduced me to the band. This album reminds one of the innocence associated with youth and the freedom and carelessness that accompanies it. This album will have one reminiscing of the good times and thinking of their first love with the fan favorites of “Live While We’re Young” and “Little Things.”
Top three songs: “Last First Kiss,” “Rock Me” and “They Don’t Know About Us.”
Best lines: “People say we shouldn’t be together / We’re too young to know about forever / But I say, they don’t know.”
3: “Made in the A.M.”
Now to the final album recorded, “Made in the A.M.” This album created an emotional ending of an era, as the band decided to go on an indefinite hiatus shortly after its release. Unfortunately, the album is also missing Zayn’s distinctive vocals after his early departure from the band. This album contains a reflection of the band’s time together and the memories they created among one another and with the fans through the fan-favorites “History” and “A.M.”
Top three songs: “If I Could Fly,” “Infinity” and “Love You Goodbye.”
Best lines: “How many nights does it take to count the stars? / That’s the time it would take to fix my heart.”
2: “Four”
Next up, “Four.” The fourth album contains the fan favorites of “Steal My Girl” and “Night Changes.” The album also contains the love song “18,” which left fans asking Niall “what exactly is a chonce?” The joke that surrounds the unique pronunciation of the word ‘chance’ continues to live on, just as the admiration for the album does.
Top three songs: “Fool’s Gold,” “Stockholm Syndrome” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
Best lines: “I’m the first to admit that I’m reckless / I get lost in your beauty and I can’t see / Two feet in front of me.”
1: “Midnight Memories”
Throwing it back a whole decade to 2013, when One Direction posters littered bedroom walls, the “One Direction: This Is Us” documentary film hit theaters and the best One Direction album was released. The third album contains the fan favorites of “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life,” but those are not the only songs worth mentioning. Every song from the “Midnight Memories” album deserves to be listened to and thoroughly appreciated. There is not a single song worthy of deeming skippable, therefore making it the best album ever.
Top three songs: “Happily,” “Something Great” and “Strong.”
Best lines: “The script was written and I could not change a thing / I want to rip it all to shreds and start again.”
Regardless of which album one considers to be the best, the Directioner fandom created by the mutual admiration of the band has proven to be everlasting. The friends made, the laughs and smiles shared, the sense of belonging fulfilled and the memories created will always be worth keeping close to our hearts and cherishing throughout the remainder of our lives.
Despite the band members going their separate ways, they have each found success within their solo pursuits, as the Directioner fandom continues to support their idols.
As the One Direction fan base remains loyal listeners and even continues to gain new followers, one can only hope that a surprise reunion tour may be announced one day. Until then, may Directioners never forget where they belong or where they first felt at home.
