Today (July 23, 2025), we celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of One Direction‘s formation.
Every year following their disbandment in 2015, the musical landscape has yearned for their return, unable to replicate the same magic this group of five carried throughout their career as a unit. Even though they didn’t win the season of X Factor in which they were formed, the group experienced unprecedented success with their widely loved music and the boy band mania they sparked among the masses.
Within the span of five albums, Harry, Zayn, Liam, Louis, and Niall established a legacy as one of the most influential musical groups of all time. Their music dominated the airwaves, their merchandise lined store shelves everywhere, and from 2010 to 2015, One Direction were nearly inescapable. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that there are tracks in the 1D discography that often go neglected, even though they deserve the same kind of love as their worldwide hits.
With that in mind, in celebration of their fifteenth anniversary, let’s revisit some of One Direction’s most underrated tracks — the ones every true Directioner knows by heart. Here are Billboard Philippines’ picks for the best One Direction deep cuts.
“Over Again”
Written by Alexander Gowers, Blue Bear and Ed Sheeran, “Over Again” is a certified staple for every Directioner who’ve gone through heartache. Delving into the turmoil of a messy breakup, the band don’t shy away from painting vivid imagery with lyrics like “If you’re pretending from the start / Like this, with a tight grip / Then my kiss can mend your broken heart / I might miss everything you said to me / And I could lend you broken parts.” In spite of being placed in between sweet youthful anthems in the band’s sophomore album, Take Me Home, “Over Again” was one of the first tracks to showcase the group’s versatility as a unit.
The lead track to Made in the A.M., “Hey Angel” was a revolutionary start to the group’s fifth and final album. Mixing indie pop (with hints of influence from country production) into their signature boy band sound, the song was undeniable proof of One Direction’s sonic evolution during their active years as a unit — and a hint into the growth they would later explore in their solo careers. Brimming with hopeful lyricism and a lush production, the song sets an emotionally mature tone for the rest of the album.
“Little White Lies”
As the group’s third album released in 2013, Midnight Memories marked a major shift in One Direction’s discography. While the band had previously been transparent about their rock inspirations, the influence of alternative rock became especially prominent on this record. The album’s thirteenth track, “Little White Lies,” is a perfect example of this fresh combination of bubblegum pop and alternative rock they began to explore. Even though it remains one of the more obscure tracks on the album, “Little White Lies” has proven to be a fan favorite among true Directioners.
“She’s Not Afraid”
Even as a bonus track on Take Me Home, One Direction’s “She’s Not Afraid” still cements itself as an essential song in the group’s discography. Consistently creating characters through their music, the band made “She’s Not Afraid” for the listener who isn’t afraid of the spotlight — or better yet, those who need an extra boost of courage to be their confident selves. The track’s upbeat tempo and nostalgic 2010s pop beat makes the song infectiously catchy to fans and casual listeners alike.
“Fireproof”
Spawned off the group’s 2014 album FOUR (Deluxe), “Fireproof” is certain to stir the hearts of those who’ve long missed One Direction. While other fan favorites like “Steal My Girl” and “18” were similarly born from the same album, as the record’s ninth track, “Fireproof” is certainly regarded as one of One Direction’s best but under-loved tracks. Speaking of keeping a love alive even as the its spark begins to dim, the anthem is a testament to the strength that goes into commitment and a love long lasting.