Tim: Let’s be honest – Gonna Be You was a bit disappointing, all ballady and stuff. This, less so.
Tom: Just before we discuss the song: What are One Direction’s stylists thinking? One seems to be a proto-Jake Thackray impersonator; the rest are all in fancy shirts and suits, but… well, they look like they’re wearing their dads’ outfits. It may have worked for the stars of Inception; I’m not sure it works for them.
Tim: Well, maybe, but if we’re being honest, most of the vast number of normally-clothes-obessed teenage girls who make up their fans couldn’t care less about what they’re wearing; in fact, they’d probably be very happy if they weren’t wearing anything other than a pair of swimming shorts.
Tom: That said, I buy my t-shirts in bulk online, and I’ve worn the same hoodie for about a decade now, so what do I know?
Tim: Well, enough of the sartorial chit-chat, onto the music. And my word, it’s like they’ve re-released What Makes You Beautiful. Let’s make a list:
- First verse and bridge split up and sung by different members as soloists? Check.
- Second verse sung as a series of rotating duets? Check.
- Middle eight consisting of a fair amount of clapping? Check.
- And then drawing to a close with one of them gently singing the first half of the chorus? Check.
- Final section with Zayn doing a little bit of harmonising above the others? Check.
- Finish the song by cutting off most off the instrumentation while they sing the end of the chorus? Check.
Tom: They know what their fans like. Or, at least, their songwriters do.
Tim: The exact same three songwriters, would you believe it.
Tom: Well, yes, I would believe it.
Tim: Fair enough. But it doesn’t stop there. Let’s take a look at the video:
- Driving round in a large vehicle for a good portion of the video? Check.
- Lots of group hugging and laughing to show that they’re all mates in real life as well? Check.
- Occasional shot of Niall clutching a guitar to give the impressions they’re actual musicians? Check.
Formulaic? Oh, bloody hell yes. Good? Oh, bloody hell yes.