One Thing

## Singles Chronology

**One Thing** is the third single from One Direction's debut album, *Up All Night*.

It was released on January 6, 2012, in various European countries and via CD single in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2012.

It is widely considered one of their most recognizable songs, and one of the songs that helped secure the band's signature sound.

## Background

"One Thing" was written by Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk and Savan Kotecha, and produced by Rami Yacoub and Savan Kotecha . The single was released digitally in various European countries on January 6, 2012, and was released in the United Kingdom via CD single on February 13, 2012.

The songwriters revealed "One Thing" actually began as two separate songs but worked better when merged into one.

The song was a top ten hit in 5 countries including Australia and the United Kingdom. One Direction became the second act of 2012 to have two singles simultaneously occupying the Australian chart's top ten when "One Thing" was at number six and "What Makes You Beautiful" at number ten for the chart week ending on April 22, 2012.

"One Thing", is an upbeat pop rock song. The song has a "plucky" guitar riff and a "forceful" chorus with Lewis Corner of Digital Spy dubbing it "arena-ready". The song's melody has been noted for similarities between Backstreet Boys song "I Want It That Way".

## Lyrics

**[Liam]**

I've tried playing it cool

But when I'm looking at you

I can’t ever be brave

'Cause you make my heart race

**[Harry]**

Shot me out of the sky

You're my kryptonite

You keep making me weak

Yeah, frozen and can't breathe

**[Zayn]**

Something’s gotta give now

'Cause I’m dying just to make you see

That I need you here with me now

'Cause you've got that one thing

**[All]**

So get out, get out, get out of my head

And fall into my arms instead

I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

But I need that one thing

And you've got that one thing

**[Niall]**

Now I'm climbing the walls

But you don't notice at all

That I'm going out of my mind

All day and all night

**[Louis]**

Something’s gotta give now

'Cause I'm dying just to know your name

And I need you here with me now

'Cause you've got that one thing

**[All]**

So get out, get out, get out of my head

And fall into my arms instead

I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

But I need that one thing

So get out, get out, get out of my mind

And come on, come into my life

I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

But I need that one thing

And you've got that one thing

Woah-oh-oh-oh

Woah-oh-oh-oh

Woah-oh-oh-oh

**[Harry]**

You've got that one thing

**[Liam]**

Get out, get out, get out of my head

And fall into my arms instead

**[All]**

So get out, get out, get out of my head

And fall into my arms instead

I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

But I need that one thing

So get out, get out, get out of my mind

And come on, come into my life

I don't, I don't, don't know what it is

But I need that one thing

Yeah, you've got that one thing

## Music Video

### Background

The accompanying music video was directed by Declan Whitebloom in London on 28 November 2011. Whitebloom approached shooting the clip with a "what you get, is what you get" sentiment, which, as he noted, "can create some real magic." In regard to its concept, Whiteboom characterised the clip as "kind of Monkees or Beatles-esque", elaborating that it revolves around "five lads go[ing] crazy in London, it's like a big day out in London." In a December interview with Capital FM, member Harry Styles reflected that the shoot was a fun, careless romp.

### Release

Premiering on YouTube on 13 January 2012, the music video depicts the band performing in and around London. As of June 2018, the music video has garnered more than 570 million YouTube views.

 **Length**
 **Director**
 **Production Co**
 **Location**
 **VEVO views**

## Trivia

* During the beginning of the video, the marker reads "One Time", instead of "One Thing".

## Tracklisting

2. "I Should Have Kissed You"
3. "One Thing" (acoustic)
4. "One Thing" (acoustic) [video]