“What Makes You Beautiful”
Writers: Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk, Savan Kotecha
Original Release Date: September 11, 2011
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past five years, you’ve probably heard at least the chorus of One Direction’s debut single, “What Makes You Beautiful”.
Whether or not you’re a Directioner, you have to admit: it’s a fun song. It’s nothing new on a technical level for a pop band (though props to them for including a cowbell) but the lyrics are cute and innocent. If 1D hadn’t exploded in popularity the way they did, I don’t know if this song would have made any lasting impression or if it would have just blended in with all the offerings from other boy bands.
I like it when The 1975 covers songs for they make them so beautiful (and are probably aware of it). During a BBC Live Lounge set in 2013, the band took 1D’s massive single and slowed it down, turning it into a plaintive ballad—backed up, of course, but their perpetual synths and a soothing piano accompaniment. Interestingly, this is the one time I’ve been able to understand Matty Healy on the first listen, but there are still words that get lost as he tackles a pure pop song with his usual panache. How much do you think we’d have to pay the band to get them to play this cover during their next tour?
