One Direction

Released: October 9, 2010

[Verse 1: Liam & Zayn & Niall]
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listened as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead, long live the king"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castle stands
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

[Chorus: Louis, Zayn and Harry]
I hear Jerusalem bells ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in the foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you go, there was never, never an honest world
But that was when I ruled the world

[Bridge: Niall, Zayn, and Liam]
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh

[Chorus: Louis, Zayn and Harry & Liam]
I hear Jerusalem bells ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, and shield
My missionaries in the foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know St. Peter won't call my name
Never an honest world
But that was when I ruled the world

One Direction was an English-Irish pop band based in London, consisting of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and previously Zayn Malik. They signed with Simon Cowell’s record label Syco Records after being formed and finishing third in the seventh series of the British televised singing competition The X Factor in 2010. Check out their journey on the competition here.

Propelled to international success by the power of social media, their two albums Up All Night and Take Me Home, released in 2011 and 2012 respectively, broke several records, topped the charts of most major markets, and generated hit singles, including “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Live While We’re Young.”

Their third album, Midnight Memories, introduced a maturing sound. Singles including “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life” became smash hits. The music video for “Best Song Ever” even broke the one-day Vevo record, racking up 10.9 million views in 24 hours.

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