Best Song Ever

2013 single by One Direction

For other uses, see Best Song Ever (disambiguation).

"Best Song Ever"

Single by One Direction
from the album  Midnight Memories
Released| 22 July 2013
Recorded| December 2012[citation needed]
Genre| Pop rock
Length| 3:22
Label|

* Syco
* Columbia

Songwriter(s)|

* Wayne Hector
* John Ryan
* Ed Drewett
* Julian Bunetta

Producer(s)|

* Julian Bunetta
* John Ryan
* Matt Rad

One Direction singles chronology
| "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)"
(2013)  | "Best Song Ever"
(2013)  | "Story of My Life"
(2013)

|
|

Music video
"Best Song Ever" on YouTube

"Best Song Ever" is a song recorded by English-Irish boy band One Direction. It was released on 22 July 2013 by Syco as the lead single from the group's third studio album, Midnight Memories. The song was written and composed by Wayne Hector, Ed Drewett, Matt Rad, along with the band's regular collaborators Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.

"Best Song Ever" debuted and peaked at number two on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, making it their highest-charting single in the United States to date.

## Composition

[edit]

The song is written in the key of C-sharp major with a tempo of 120 beats per minute. It follows a chord progression of F♯-C♯-G♯.[1]

## Critical response

[edit]

Most critics agreed that the song was good, but some claimed that the song did not live up to its title. For example, Will Hermes from Rolling Stone gave "Best Song Ever" a score of 4 out of 5 stars, describing the track as "pretty irresistible".[2] Lewis Corner at Digital Spy also awarded the song 4 out of 5 stars, writing: "Sure the lyrics are cheesier than a 6-pack of Wotsits, and yes the sentiment is cornier than a Disney Channel rom-com, but as far as boyband pop anthems go it skirts dangerously close to fulfilling its title."[3]

In the course of a debate on Twitter, it was noted the song's basic structure was similar to "Baba O'Riley" (1971) by the Who. Fans suggested the "Best Song Ever" was copied from the Who's song. Who guitarist Pete Townshend responded to the claims by denying that the Who were pursuing legal action, and stated that he was a fan of One Direction's single and was happy that One Direction appeared to have been influenced by the Who, just as he had been by his own guitar heroes such as Eddie Cochran.[4]

## Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Best Song Ever" was directed by Ben Winston and written by comedian James Corden.[5] Filmed over two days at The Temple House in Miami Beach, Florida,[6] the video was released on the band's Vevo channel on 22 July 2013.

The video is over six minutes long and features the band arguing with clueless studio executives in a battle over the band's new image. Niall Horan plays studio executive Harvey (Harvey Weinstein), Louis Tomlinson plays studio executive Jonny (modelled after Tom Cruise's character Les Grossman in the movie Tropic Thunder), and Zayn Malik plays "The Sexy Assistant", Veronica. The studio executives are stoked to take the band to the proverbial next level, but they proceed to bring in an under-qualified crew consisting of Marcel, "The Marketing Guy" (Harry Styles) and Leeroy, "The Choreographer" (Liam Payne). Interspersed with scenes from their film One Direction: This is Us, the band are shown wreaking havoc throughout the office and even throwing in a few dance moves for good measure.[7]

The music video won a British Video at the 2014 Brit Awards on 19 February 2014.

The video broke the Vevo 24-hour record with 12.3 million views, surpassing the 10.7 million views of Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" in June, although the record was later broken again by Cyrus' follow-up music video "Wrecking Ball", which garnered 19.3 million views.[8]

The video and song were previewed during the premiere for the Disney Channel Original Movie Teen Beach Movie 3 days ahead of the songs release. The band also filmed promotional videos that aired during the films commercial breaks.[9]

## Live performances

[edit]

The group performed "Best Song Ever" live for the first time on 30 July 2013 at the SAP center in San Jose, California during their Take Me Home Tour concert until their final live at Japan. The song was subsequently added to the set list to all proceeding shows of the American leg. The group's first televised performance of the single was at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards on 11 August. The group also performed the song, along with some of their other hits, on The Today Show on 23 August, on America's Got Talent on 28 August, and again on The X Factor Australia on 27 October. On 15 November, the group performed "Best Song Ever" for the first time on British television at Children in Need 2013. Since its release, the song closed out all concerts for the 2014 Where We Are Tour and the 2015 On the Road Again Tour.

## In popular culture

[edit]

Musicians such as Gabrielle Aplin[10] and The Vamps[11] have covered "Best Song Ever". "Weird Al" Yankovic also covered the song as part of his polka medley "NOW That's What I Call Polka!" for his 2014 album Mandatory Fun.[12] In the 100th episode of Mad, there's a sketch where One Direction watches the show and sings a parody of "Best Song Ever" calling it the worst show ever.[13]

## Track listings

[edit]

CD single[14]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Best Song Ever"|

* Hector
* Ryan
* Bunetta
* Drewett

| 3:22
2.| "Last First Kiss" (Live Version from the Motion Picture One Direction: This Is Us)|

* Albin Nedler
* Kristoffer Fogelmark
* Rami Yacoub
* Cark Falk
* Savan Kotecha
* Zayn Malik
* Liam Payne
* Louis Tomlinson

Maxi single[15]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Best Song Ever"|

* Hector
* Ryan
* Bunetta
* Drewett

| 3:22
2.| "Best Song Ever" (Jump Smokers Remix)|

* Hector
* Ryan
* Bunetta
* Drewett

| 3:08
3.| "Best Song Ever" (Westfunk & Steve Smart Remix)|

* Hector
* Ryan
* Bunetta
* Drewett

| 3:05
4.| "Last First Kiss" (Live Version from the Motion Picture One Direction: This Is Us)|  | 4:27

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[16]

* Matt Radosevich – producer, bass, engineer, guitar, keyboards, programming, vocal
* John Ryan – producer, songwriting, background vocal, engineer
* Julian Bunetta – producer, songwriting, background vocal, engineer
* Ed Drewett – songwriting
* Wayne Hector – songwriting
* Ian Franzino – assistant engineer, background vocal
* Ruth Cunningham – background vocal
* Damon Bunetta – background vocal
* Stefan Litrownik – drums
* Petro Anastos-Prastacos – editor, vocal
* Alex Oriet – engineer
* John Hanes – engineer
* Tom Coyne – mastering engineer
* Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2013-2014)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[17] | 4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] | 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] | 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[20] | 17
Brazil (Billboard Brasil Hot 100)[21] | 59
Brazil Hot Pop Songs[21] | 19
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] | 2
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[23] | 19
Denmark (Tracklisten)[24] | 2
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[25] | 4
France (SNEP)[26] | 12
Germany (Official German Charts)[27] | 20
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)[28] | 8
Hungary (Single Top 40)[29] | 4
Ireland (IRMA)[30] | 2
Italy (FIMI)[31] | 3
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[32] | 24
Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20)[33] | 12
Mexico Inglés Airplay (Monitor Latino)[34] | 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] | 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[36] | 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[37] | 3
Norway (VG-lista)[38] | 20
Scotland (OCC)[39] | 2
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[40] | 50
Slovenia (SloTop50)[41] | 40
South Africa (EMA)[42] | 8
South Korea (Gaon Music Chart)[43] | 11
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44] | 9
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[45] | 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] | 11
UK Singles (OCC)[47] | 2
US Billboard Hot 100[48] | 2
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[49] | 40
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[50] | 16
Venezuela Pop Rock General (Record Report)[51] | 2

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2013)  | Position

|

Australia (ARIA)[52] | 97
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[53] | 96
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[54] | 97
France (SNEP)[55] | 195
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[56] | 99
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[57] | 82
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[58] | 50
US Billboard Hot 100[59] | 74

## Certifications

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[60] | 3× Platinum  | 210,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[61] | 2× Platinum  | 160,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[62] | Gold  | 15,000‡
Japan (RIAJ)[63] | Gold  | 100,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)[64] | Platinum+Gold  | 90,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[65] | Gold  | 7,500*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[66] | Gold  | 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[67] | Gold  | 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] | Platinum  | 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[70] | Platinum  | 1,275,000[69]
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[71] | Platinum  | 1,800,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Country  | Date  | Format  | Label

|
|
|

Australia[72] | 22 July 2013  | Digital download | Sony
Germany[73]
Italy[74]
United Kingdom[75] | Syco
United States[76] | Columbia
United States[77] | 23 July 2013  | Mainstream radio
Germany[78] | 16 August 2013  | Maxi single | Sony
France[79] | 19 August 2013
United Kingdom[80] | Syco
United States[14] | 20 August 2013  | CD single | Columbia
Japan[81] | 21 August 2013  | Maxi single  | Sony
Italy[82] | 27 August 2013

## Awards

[edit]

"Best Song Ever" won the award for Best Song of the Summer at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

Year  | Ceremony  | Award  | Result

|
|
|

2013  | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Song of Summer  | Won
Rockbjörnen | Best International Song  | Nominated
World Music Awards | World's Best Song
World's Best Video

## See also

[edit]

* "Tribute" by Tenacious D, another song about the greatest song
* "Baba O'Riley" by The Who

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Anthony, Hector, Wayne; Edward, Drewett; John, Ryan; Julian, Bunetta; Direction, One (23 July 2013). "Best Song Ever". Musicnotes.com.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. ^ "Best Song Ever". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 10 August 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
3. ^ "One Direction: 'Best Song Ever' review". Digital Spy. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
4. ^ Reed, Ryan (16 August 2013). "Pete Townshend Responds to Furious One Direction Fans". Rolling Stone.
5. ^ "8 Reasons Why One Direction's Video For 'Best Song Ever' Is The Best Video Ever". HuffPost UK. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
6. ^ "One Direction's "Best Song Ever" Video Filmed at World Famous Temple House". Marketwire. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
7. ^ "One Direction Play Dress-Up in 'Best Song'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
8. ^ Alicia Adejobi. "Miley Cyrus Beats One Direction's VEVO Record After 'Wrecking Ball' Becomes Most-Viewed Video In Less Than 24 Hours". EntertainmentWise. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
9. ^ "One Direction plus Disney Channel's 'Teen Beach Movie'". EW.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
10. ^ "Gabrielle Aplin Covers One Direction's "Best Song Ever" On BBC Live Lounge: Watch - idolator". idolator. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
11. ^ The Vamps (28 September 2013), One Direction - Best Song Ever (Cover By The Vamps), retrieved 13 September 2017
12. ^ Mandatory Fun (March 2020), Mandatory Fun
13. ^ "Cartoon Network's MAD Doubles the Funny for 100th Episode Celebration".
14. ^ a b "Best Song Ever (Walmart Exclusive)". Walmart.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
15. ^ "bol.com - Best Song Ever, One Direction - Muziek". Retrieved 27 October 2014.
16. ^ "Credits / Best Song Ever (From THIS IS US) / One Direction". Tidal. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
17. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
18. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
19. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
20. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in French). Ultratop 50.
21. ^ a b BPP, ed. (November–December 2013). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (46): 88.
22. ^ "One Direction Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
23. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 40. týden 2013 in the date selector.
24. ^ "Hitlisten.NU – One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
25. ^ "One Direction Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
26. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in French). Les classement single.
27. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
28. ^ "Digital Singles Charts – Greece". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
29. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
30. ^ "Chart Track: Week 30, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
31. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Top Digital Download.
32. ^ "One Direction Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
33. ^ "One Direction". The Official Lebanese Top 20. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
34. ^ "Ingles Top 20". Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013.
35. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – One Direction" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
36. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
37. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Top 40 Singles.
38. ^ "Topp 20 Single uke 31, 2013 – VG-lista. Offisielle hitlister fra og med 1958" (in Norwegian). VG-lista.
39. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
40. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201339 into search.
41. ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
42. ^ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2013-09-10". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
43. ^ 8월 1주차 (2013.07.21~2013.07.27) 해외 디지털 차트 [1st Week of August (21/07/2013 – 27/07/2013) Foreign Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Chart. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
44. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" Canciones Top 50.
45. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Singles Top 100.
46. ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Swiss Singles Chart.
47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
48. ^ "One Direction Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
49. ^ "One Direction Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
50. ^ "One Direction Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
51. ^ "Pop Rock General". Record Report (in Spanish). R.R. Digital C.A. 28 September 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
52. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2013". ARIA. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
53. ^ "Ultratop Jaaroverzichten 2013" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
54. ^ "Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 22 December 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
55. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
56. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2013" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
57. ^ "Year-end 2013: Singles" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
58. ^ "End of Year 2013" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
59. ^ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
60. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
61. ^ "Canadian single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". Music Canada. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
62. ^ "Italian single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
63. ^ "Japanese digital single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 27 January 2016. Select 2014年10月 on the drop-down menu
64. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 7 October 2020. Type One Direction in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Best Song Ever in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
65. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
66. ^ "Spanish single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
67. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 40, 2013 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 23 August 2022. Scroll to position 47 to view certification.
68. ^ "British single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". British Phonographic Industry.
69. ^ Trust, Gary (13 November 2013). "Chart Watch: Waiting For Gaga". Chart Watch. Billboard.
70. ^ "American single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
71. ^ "Danish single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
72. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.
73. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.
74. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.
75. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.
76. ^ Amazon.com: Best Song Ever: One Direction: MP3 Downloads
77. ^ "WebCite query result". www.webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. `{{cite web}}`: Cite uses generic title (help)
78. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.
79. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.
80. ^ "Best Song Ever". 15 November 2013 - via Amazon.
81. ^ "ベスト・ソング・エヴァー" - via Amazon.
82. ^ "Best Song Ever" - via Amazon.

* v
* t
* e

One Direction

* Niall Horan
* Liam Payne
* Harry Styles
* Louis Tomlinson

* Zayn Malik

Studio albums|

* Up All Night
* Take Me Home
* Midnight Memories
* Four
* Made in the A.M.

Video albums|

* Up All Night: The Live Tour

EPs|

* iTunes Festival: London 2012

Singles|

* "What Makes You Beautiful"
* "Gotta Be You"
* "One Thing"
* "More than This"
* "Live While We're Young"
* "Little Things"
* "Kiss You"
* "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)"
* "Best Song Ever"
* "Story of My Life"
* "Midnight Memories"
* "You & I"
* "Steal My Girl"
* "Night Changes"
* "Drag Me Down"
* "Perfect"
* "History"

Promotional singles|

* "Diana"
* "Strong"
* "Fireproof"
* "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"
* "18"
* "Fool's Gold"
* "Infinity"
* "Home"
* "Love You Goodbye"
* "What a Feeling"

Other songs|

* "Moments"
* "No Control"
* "If I Could Fly"

Concert tours|

* Up All Night Tour
* Take Me Home Tour
* Where We Are Tour
* On the Road Again Tour

TV and film|

* This Is Us
* Where We Are – The Concert Film

Related|

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* Songs
* Our Moment
* John Ryan

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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