Liam Payne, the late singer and former member of One Direction, tragically passed away at the age of 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. His journey saw him transform from the “ringleader” of One Direction to a solo artist navigating personal challenges, including mental health issues following the band’s indefinite hiatus.
Beyond his vocal talent, Payne played a crucial role as one of the core songwriters for One Direction, collaborating closely with Louis Tomlinson. This partnership is highlighted in the band’s later albums, ‘Four’ (2014) and ‘Made in the A.M.’ (2015), where they contributed to some of the group’s most beloved tracks.
‘Teardrops‘
Just seven months before his death, Liam Payne released one of his final songs, titled ‘Teardrops’. Announcing the track on Instagram, he explained that it addresses the emotional experiences of heartbroken individuals. He expressed his hopes for listeners, saying, “This song is born from many tears, not all mine. I hope you love it like I do and not too many of you can relate.”
Throughout his career, both as a member of One Direction and as a solo artist, Payne significantly impacted the pop scene in the 2010s. His contributions to music resonated with fans and showcased his evolution as an artist.
‘Strip That Down‘
Liam Payne’s solo career gained momentum with the release of ‘Strip That Down’ following One Direction’s hiatus. The track, featuring Migos’ Quavo and co-written by Ed Sheeran, marked a notable shift from the band’s pop image, allowing Payne to explore more mature themes as a solo artist.
‘Strip That Down’ achieved commercial success, becoming Payne’s only Top 40 hit in the USA. The song reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying his status as a formidable solo artist in the music industry.
‘Familiar’ with J Balvin
Liam Payne teamed up with popular Latin artist J Balvin for the energetic track ‘Familiar’, which infused Latin elements into his pop music, creating a vibrant hit perfect for the dance floor.
The song was well-received, charting within the Top 20 in the UK, and showcased Payne’s vocal range as he seamlessly explored different musical styles. ‘Familiar’ highlighted his potential to connect with a diverse, global fanbase, expanding his artistic reach beyond traditional pop boundaries.
‘For You’ featuring Rita Ora
One of the highlights of Liam Payne’s solo career was his collaboration with Rita Ora on the song ‘For You’, featured in the soundtrack for ‘Fifty Shades Freed’. This track showcased Payne’s vocal talents and marked a significant moment in his transition to a solo artist.
‘For You’ was later included in his debut album, LP1 (2019), further solidifying its importance in his discography. The collaboration not only highlighted Payne’s gift for singing but also connected him with a broader audience through its association with the popular film franchise.
‘Get Low’ with Zedd
‘Get Low’, featuring German EDM artist Zedd, was released in 2017 and showcased an upbeat collaboration that combined Liam Payne’s sultry vocals with the dance-pop genre. The single reached No. 26 on the UK pop chart.
Additionally, ‘Get Low’ climbed into the top 20 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, marking it as a commercial success and further solidifying Payne’s versatility as a solo artist in the music scene.
-Sushmita Sarkar