One Direction is one of the most popular and successful boy bands of all time. Formed in 2010 on The X Factor UK, the group consisted of members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson. During their five years together, One Direction released five smash hit albums, embarked on four massive world tours, and racked up countless awards. They took the world by storm and amassed a loyal, dedicated fandom. When examining their discography, One Direction had many hugely popular and successful singles. However, their biggest hit song is undoubtedly “What Makes You Beautiful.”
Background on “What Makes You Beautiful”
“What Makes You Beautiful” was released in September 2011 as One Direction’s debut single. It served as the lead single from their first studio album, Up All Night. The upbeat pop track was an immediate success, debuting at number one on the UK Singles Chart and remaining there for four consecutive weeks. It also reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. To date, it has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, making it among the best-selling singles of all time.
The song was written by Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub, and Savan Kotecha. Its production team included Yacoub and Falk. Lyrically, “What Makes You Beautiful” sends a message of self-acceptance and empowerment. The chorus contains the famous line, “You don’t know you’re beautiful, that’s what makes you beautiful.” This struck a chord with fans and listeners everywhere.
“What Makes You Beautiful” was animmediate commercial and critical success. In 2012, it won a BRIT Award for British Single of the Year. It also received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammy Awards. The fun, flirty music video showcased One Direction’s personalities and cemented their star status. It currently has over 1 billion views on YouTube.
Chart Performance and Certifications
Here is a look at “What Makes You Beautiful’s” peak chart positions and certifications:
Peak Chart Positions
- UK Singles Chart: #1
- US Billboard Hot 100: #4
- Australian Singles Chart: #1
- Canadian Hot 100: #2
- Irish Singles Chart: #1
Certifications
- 5x Platinum (US)
- 3x Platinum (Australia)
- Platinum (UK)
- Gold (Switzerland)
It topped the charts in countries all across the globe, cementing itself as a true international smash hit. The multiple platinum and gold certifications attest to its massive commercial success and popularity.
Legacy and Impact
“What Makes You Beautiful” is regarded as One Direction’s breakthrough, signature hit. It kickstarted the launch of their careers and introduced them to a mainstream audience. The song put them on the map and allowed them to gain a dedicated fanbase that propelled their success for years to come. It paved the way for them to become one of the world’s biggest boy bands.
The song itself became a pop culture phenomenon. Its highly anticipated music video broke Vevo viewer records with over 8.2 million views in just 24 hours. The song is also considered one of the best-selling singles of all time. It remains One Direction’s most streamed and certified song.
“What Makes You Beautiful” won several high-profile awards and nominations, including a BRIT Award for British Single of the Year. This cemented its impact. It is alsoOne Direction’s only single to reach the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song’s widespread commercial success and cultural impact make it undoubtedly their biggest hit.
Why It Became Their Biggest Hit
There are several key reasons why “What Makes You Beautiful” stood out as One Direction’s biggest hit song:
- It was their debut single, allowing it to have high anticipation and impact.
- The fun, bubbly sound was catchy, upbeat, and radio friendly.
- The empowering lyrics had a universal message that resonated with their young audience.
- It showcased their personalities and image perfectly as a new boyband.
- The music video generated immense buzz and attention.
- It crossed over multiple radio formats like pop, adult contemporary, and contemporary hit radio.
- Major TV performances and promotions further drove its success.
In many ways, it was the perfect storm of factors that allowed “What Makes You Beautiful” to rise above their other singles commercially and become One Direction’s signature hit song.
Charts and Sales
Here is a more detailed look at “What Makes You Beautiful’s” sales and peak chart positions:
Weekly Charts
| Chart | Peak Position | Number of Weeks at #1 |
|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | #1 | 4 weeks |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #4 | N/A |
| Australian Singles Chart | #1 | 2 weeks |
| Canadian Hot 100 | #2 | N/A |
| Irish Singles Chart | #1 | 4 weeks |
As shown, “What Makes You Beautiful” reached #1 and remained there for multiple weeks in three major markets – the UK, Australia, and Ireland. It had incredible staying power at the top.
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA) | 5x Platinum | Over 5 million copies |
| Australia (ARIA) | 3x Platinum | Over 210,000 copies |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | Over 600,000 copies |
| Canada (Music Canada) | 2x Platinum | Over 160,000 copies |
| Denmark (IFPI) | 2x Platinum | Over 120,000 copies |
| Italy (FIMI) | Platinum | Over 30,000 copies |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Platinum | Over 15,000 copies |
| Switzerland (IFPI) | Gold | Over 10,000 copies |
In total, “What Makes You Beautiful” sold over 6 million copies worldwide. The multiple platinum and gold certifications showcase its impressive commercial impact.
Music Video Viewership
The music video for “What Makes You Beautiful” on One Direction’s official Vevo channel has over 1 billion views. Here is a look at its view count milestones:
- 50 million views: April 2012
- 100 million views: December 2012
- 500 million views: November 2015
- 1 billion views: September 2019
The video racked up views at a rapid pace, averaging over 2 million new views per day at its peak. It holds the record for the most views on Vevo in 24 hours, with 8.24 million. The video’s viewership and longevity highlight the song’s lasting popularity and impact.
Cover Versions
“What Makes You Beautiful” has been covered by various artists who were inspired by its catchy melody and empowering message:
- Justin Bieber performed an acoustic cover during a radio appearance.
- Ed Sheeran covered it on his YouTube channel.
- Boyce Avenue recorded a popular acoustic version.
- The cast of Glee did a cover for an episode.
- Fifth Harmony sang an a capella version as a tribute.
These covers testify to other musicians’ appreciation of the song. They help expand its reach and introduction to new audiences.
Impact on One Direction’s Career
“What Makes You Beautiful” had an enormous impact in launching One Direction to global stardom. Here are some of the key effects it had on their career trajectory:
- It instantly made them household names and boosted their profile internationally.
- Helped their debut album Up All Night achieve global success.
- Established their style and personalities as a bubbly, charming boyband.
- Earned them credibility and awards like their BRIT.
- Created an eager anticipation for their follow-up singles and albums.
- Propelled their fame to allow for sold-out world tours and appearances.
- Garnered them dedicated fan support that continued throughout their career.
Overall, “What Makes You Beautiful” was the perfect launching pad to catapult One Direction into the stratosphere and turn them into a world-renowned boy band.
Conclusion
With its irresistible melody, positive message, and perfectly suited image for One Direction, “What Makes You Beautiful” has clearly emerged as their biggest hit song. It topped charts globally, sold millions of copies, smashed records, and won prestigious awards. Most importantly, it propelled them from reality show contestants to one of the planet’s biggest pop acts. The song’s widespread commercial success, lasting popularity and its role in making One Direction a household name cement its status as their signature hit. Nearly a decade after its release, “What Makes You Beautiful” remains the crown jewel of the band’s discography.