One Direction: Official Top 20 biggest songs ever in UK revealed

Can you believe it's been more than seven years since One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus? Since then, all five band members – Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Niall Horan – have launched successful solo careers, continuing the group's legacy as a global pop phenomenon.

Looking back, it's incredible to witness just how much 1D packed in during their initial six-year run. They released five albums – Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014) and Made in the A.M. (2015) – embarked on four headline tours, and racked up 28 Top 75 singles in the UK. Four of those singles, beginning with their 2011 debut What Makes You Beautiful, made it to Number 1.

As Niall heads for another Number 1 with – this time on the Official Albums Chart, with his third solo effort The Show – we're taking the opportunity to unveil the era-defining boyband's Official Top 20 biggest songs in the UK.

Warning: you will end up wanting to revisit their gleaming back catalogue after reading this.

MORE: See where every One Direction song and album charted in the UK

5. Drag Me Down

Released: 2015

UK chart units: 1.18m

UK streams: 108m

Official Singles Chart peak: 1

Released in July 2015, Made in the A.M.'s lead single was the band's first without Zayn, who had departed that March. One of the band's rockiest singles, it became their fourth Number 1 in the UK, confirming that One Direction were very much still viable as a four-piece.

4. Little Things

Released: 2012

UK chart units: 1.25m

UK streams: 83m

Official Singles Chart peak: 1

Co-written by Ed Sheeran, this folky ballad became One Direction's second Number 1 hit when it was released as Take Me Home's second single. Its sensitive and empathetic lyrics about embracing your flaws have made it a firm and enduring favourite with the band's fans.

3. History

Released: 2015

UK chart units: 1.3m

UK streams: 110m

Official Singles Chart peak: 6

Co-written by Liam and Louis, this singalong bop is – sob! – the group's final single to date. The wistful music video features clips from the band's many highlights over the years, encouraging fans to take a look back as they braced themselves for the upcoming hiatus.

2. Story of My Life

Released: 2013

UK chart units: 1.43m

UK streams: 111m

Official Singles Chart peak: 2

All five band members had a hand in writing this folktronica tune, which was released as the second single from Midnight Memories. One of 1D's best-known songs, it's since been covered by everyone from The Offspring to Natalie Imbruglia.

1. What Makes You Beautiful

Released: 2012

UK chart units: 1.94m

UK streams: 116m

Official Singles Chart peak: 2

Na, na-na-na, na-na-na, na, na, na! The group's ebullient debut single was an instant classic that debuted at Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart. It remains such a crowd-pleaser that Harry included it in his setlist for his first two solo tours.

One Direction's Official Top 20 biggest songs in the UK:

POS	TITLE	ARTIST	YEAR	PEAK
1	WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL	ONE DIRECTION	2011	1
2	STORY OF MY LIFE	ONE DIRECTION	2013	2
3	HISTORY	ONE DIRECTION	2015	6
4	LITTLE THINGS	ONE DIRECTION	2012	1
5	DRAG ME DOWN	ONE DIRECTION	2015	1
6	STEAL MY GIRL	ONE DIRECTION	2014	3
7	NIGHT CHANGES	ONE DIRECTION	2014	7
8	BEST SONG EVER	ONE DIRECTION	2013	2
9	PERFECT	ONE DIRECTION	2015	2
10	KISS YOU	ONE DIRECTION	2012	9
11	LIVE WHILE WE'RE YOUNG	ONE DIRECTION	2012	3
12	ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (TEENAGE KICKS)	ONE DIRECTION	2013	1
13	YOU & I	ONE DIRECTION	2013	19
14	ONE THING	ONE DIRECTION	2012	9
15	18	ONE DIRECTION	2014	45
16	MIDNIGHT MEMORIES	ONE DIRECTION	2013	39
17	THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US	ONE DIRECTION	2012
18	GOTTA BE YOU	ONE DIRECTION	2011	3
19	OLIVIA	ONE DIRECTION	2015	72
20	NO CONTROL	ONE DIRECTION	2014

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