Louis Tomlinson Opens Up About Disliking One Direction's Iconic Hit
Despite being a member of one of the world's most successful boybands, Louis Tomlinson has revealed he was never a fan of performing one of One Direction's biggest hits. In a candid new interview, the singer admitted that the group's debut single, What Makes You Beautiful, felt "corny and uncool" to sing, even though it propelled them to global fame in 2011.
Comparing Lyrics to a Disney Movie
During an interview with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2, Tomlinson was grilled about his least favourite One Direction song. He unequivocally named What Makes You Beautiful, citing two main reasons. "It's definitely our most pop and most bubble gum pop moment," he explained. When Mills insisted it was a good record, Tomlinson conceded but elaborated on his discomfort.
"Performing that always felt so eggy. At the time I was 18, and it wasn't the coolest thing to be in a boy band, and then we got really big, so it was cool... But for the first couple of years it wasn't really like that," he said. Tomlinson compared the song's lyrics to those of a Disney movie, noting, "singing, 'Baby, you light up my world like nobody else,' honestly, it wouldn't be out of place in a Disney film, so it did just feel a little corny."
Favourite Song and Band Evolution
In the same interview, Tomlinson shared his most cherished One Direction track, Story Of My Life. He described it as a "real moment" for the band, highlighting its departure from typical boyband fare. "That's not the kind of record you expect from a band like One Direction, and I think that was kind of a turning point for us," he said. Tomlinson expressed pride that the song wasn't danceable, helping the group break free from preconceived molds.
Post-Band Career and Recent Drama
Since One Direction's split in 2016, all members have pursued solo careers. Tomlinson released his third album in January, but the launch was marred by reported tensions within the band. Earlier this month, the Daily Mail revealed a secret rift among former members, adding a layer of drama to his new music release.
Tomlinson also appeared to take a subtle swipe at former bandmate Harry Styles when their albums dropped on the same day. He asked his 28.8 million X followers for help "cutting through the noise," prompting fans to speculate about underlying rivalry. Although he hasn't addressed these accusations directly, Tomlinson thanked supporters for their unwavering encouragement.
Reflections on Boyband Life
Tomlinson's comments shed light on the early challenges of being in a boyband, where perceptions of coolness were often at odds with commercial success. Despite his reservations about What Makes You Beautiful, he acknowledged its role in their journey, stating, "I'm not undermining the journey, 'cause obviously it worked out great." The song remains a cornerstone of One Direction's legacy, even if it wasn't a personal favourite for one of its key members.
