IN THE SPOTLIGHT: How Liam Payne stood as the backbone of One Direction

Liam Payne of the musical group One Direction performs on stage at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. Image: John Shearer/Invision/AP

Lovingly referred to as “Daddy Direction” by fans, Liam Payne stood as the backbone of One Direction, from their formation in “The X Factor” until he, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik went their separate ways to pursue their respective solo careers.

The late star entered the talent show as a soloist, like his bandmates, where his “potential” was showcased in his 2008 audition where he performed his own rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon.” While he made it through the next round, he was cut off during the judges’ houses round but was encouraged to return two years later.

His return marked the beginning of history as it eventually led to the formation of One Direction. Payne often stood as the ringleader of the quintet, usually taking on the first lines or climactic portions of their songs and setting the groundwork for their harmony, proving his perfect pitch among his bandmates.

(From left) Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Liam Payne arrive for the World Premiere of “One Direction: This Is Us,” at the Empire Leicester Square, in London, Aug. 20, 2013. Image: Ian West/PA via AP, File

In a tribute by Tomlinson, Payne was described as the “most vital part of One Direction,” noting his stage presence and experience. Apart from his vocal prowess, he also contributed largely to the group’s songwriting catalog, where he also helped steer the quintet’s cookie-cutter teen boyband image into the indie rock-inspired route in their final days.

One of the biggest factors behind One Direction’s timeless legacy was Payne, and his gift as a vocalist and songwriter will be remembered by fans who grew up with him. As we celebrate his life, let us revisit the teen quintet’s songs that showed the best of his voice.

‘What Makes You Beautiful’ (2011)

Payne set the tone for teenhood fantasy with the song’s opening line, “You’re insecure / Don’t know what for / You’re turning heads when you walk through the door / Don’t need makeup to cover up / Being the way that you are is enough,” solidifying his role as the group’s defining pillar early on. The 2011 track is the first single and arguably, one of their most popular songs — thanks to the late star giving its needed boost.

‘Moments’ (2011)

This pop ballad was Ed Sheeran’s gift to One Direction when the group “didn’t have enough songs” for their album, which portrayed a heartbroken man mourning his lost love. The first verse was entirely taken over by Payne, whose baritone voice gracefully flowed through guitar strums, narrating the beginning of the persona’s pain.

‘Story of My Life’ (2013)

The year 2013 marked One Direction’s switch from boyband pop to the indie-inspired route. And “Story of My Life” is one of the group’s offerings that introduced this shift to listeners. While Payne took over the second verse, it was his lines “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” that steered the song into the pre-chorus, which ultimately showed listeners the change in the quintet’s music.

‘Same Mistakes’ (2011)

One of the songs where One Direction contributed to its writing, “Same Mistakes” showcased the abilities of Payne, Malik, and Styles — and each of their roles as the group’s vocal trifecta. Malik brought out the emotion with his belts, Styles’ full tone cuts deep with the song’s meaning, while Payne stood as the foundation of its rise, climax, and final note, particularly with the lines “Don’t look back / But if we don’t look back / We’re only learning then / How to make all same mistakes / Same mistakes again.”

‘Little Things’ (2012)

There are singers whose voices shine with minimal instruments, which was shown by Payne in “Little Things.” A folk-inspired acoustic ballad about convincing a lover to love themselves for their imperfections, Payne’s versatile tone was on the sweeter side, with his harmonies heard in the chorus and background.

‘Through the Dark’ (2013)

With songwriting credits with Tomlinson, “Through the Dark” is about someone helping a loved one brave through their struggle with depression. While Malik and Styles took over the folk song’s high notes, Payne sets the tone of the persona hoping to help someone fight through their inner demons despite being “sad and [losing their] way,” allowing his tone to act as sort of a friend offering comfort.

Eight years after the song’s release, Payne — with a fuller and raspier tone — performed a solo rendition of “Through the Dark” in his concert series, “The LP Show.”

‘What A Feeling’ (2015)

“What A Feeling” is one of Payne’s favorite songs in One Direction’s final album “Made in the A.M.,” which talks about the desire of wanting to be with someone and the willingness to brave “through the wire” to do so. With its thumping bass line and a touch of 80s synth, the song is a shift from the group’s signature sound, but Payne proved his ability as the group’s backbone, setting the needed canvas while showing off his maturity as a vocalist.

‘Half a Heart’ (2013)

Another song that proved Payne’s role as One Direction’s backbone, “Half a Heart” showed him taking the first verse, “So your friend’s been telling me / You’ve been sleeping with my sweater / And that you can’t stop missing me / Bet my friend’s been telling you / I’m not doing much better / Because I’m missing half of me” before shifting into singing the central harmonies all throughout. The final chorus then allowed Payne to show off his full voice, with Horan standing as the needed boost to make the late singer shine.

‘More Than This’ (2012)

As soon as Payne opened the song with “I’m broken, do you hear me? / I’m blinded ‘cause you are everything I see / I’m dancing alone, I’m praying / That your heart will just turn around,” it’s more than enough to send any listener swooning and aww-ing throughout the song’s portrayal of unrequited love. While this track wasn’t immediately successful in its release, it eventually made its way into fans’ hearts, with many sharing clips of the late singer’s flawless opening on social media.

‘Fool’s Gold’ (2014)

While the members of One Direction often took turns in their songs, “Fool’s Gold” showed Payne and Styles joining forces to portray the persona’s regret of falling for someone’s false hopes. The “Watermelon Sugar” singer might’ve sung most of the parts in this track but the “Strip That Down” crooner’s voice can be heard in the background vocals, allowing Styles’ full voice to be showcased in all its glory.

‘History’ (2015)

The third single of One Direction’s final album, “History” is a prelude to the group’s farewell to fans, in hopes of reminding them that they will “live forever” no matter what. One of its noteworthy verses, “All of the rumors / All of the fights / But we always find a way to make it out alive,” was sung by Payne — in what seemed to be a glimpse of the group’s behind-the-scenes hardships — noting how they manage to survive through it all.