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"Drag Me Down"
Single by One Direction
from the album Made in the A.M.
Released31 July 2015 (2015-07-31)[1]
GenrePop rock[2][3]
Length3:12
LabelSyco
Songwriters
ProducerJulian Bunetta
One Direction singles chronology
"Night Changes"
(2014)
"Drag Me Down"
(2015)
"Perfect"
(2015)
Music video
"Drag Me Down" on YouTube

"Drag Me Down" is a song recorded by English-Irish boy band One Direction as the lead single for their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M. (2015).[4] The song was released worldwide on 31 July 2015 and was the band's first single since Zayn Malik's departure earlier that same year. "Drag Me Down" debuted atop the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand. It became the group's first number-one single in France and Australia, as well as their fourth number-one in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the fan-voted 'Best Video Award' at the 2016 Brit Awards.[5]

Background and release

[edit]

"Drag Me Down" marked One Direction's first single since Zayn Malik's departure in March 2015.[6] The announcement of the release, with no previous promotion or marketing, was done by Liam Payne on his Twitter handle, followed by the rest of the members on 31 July 2015.[1]

Composition

[edit]

"Drag Me Down" is a midtempo pop rock track written by Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta, and John Ryan, who wrote and produced several songs on One Direction's previous two albums Midnight Memories (2013) and Four (2014).[7] According to Los Angeles Times's editor Mikael Wood, the production contains springy guitars that recall The Police or "Rude" by Magic!.[2][8] The song is written in C minor with a tempo of 138 beats per minute. It was composed in England.[9]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
BillboardStarStarStarHalf star[3]
Digital SpyStarStarStar[10]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard gave the song three and a half out of five stars and stated that the song offers a more "mature sound". He also commented "for those worried that a four-member incarnation of the group can't get the job done, "Drag Me Down" assuages those fears by keeping the overall quality level high" and "the group compensates for Malik's absence by giving each member ample time to shine, and the harmonies admirably resonate on the call-and-response portions of the pre-chorus".[3] Writing for Idolater, Robbie Daw commented that the song "comes across perhaps like the first One Direction song that might appeal to an audience outside of the band's screaming core fan base".[11]

Gaby Hernandez of Rolling Stone described the song as a "pop-rock track shifts the band's sound from the softer folk of their last album, Four, back to the more upbeat, electronic heavy elements of their first two albums".[12] Jamieson Cox of The Verge called the song "a slight departure from the music the band was making with Malik in tow" while commenting that "there's a bit of The Police in the loping, reggae-lite bass line and guitar riffs, and the song's structure is cribbed from the last few years' finest EDM-pop crossovers" and that "when you fold in the melody, the whole package reminds me of Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble", and that qualifies as praise in this space".[13] Noelle Devoe, writing for The Daily Telegraph, described the song as "rocking an even edgier, mature sound" and "a love song to their fans" while commenting on Styles' high notes.[14] The Herald wrote that "in true One Direction style, Drag Me Down is a catchy love song with a poppy beat".[15] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song three out of five stars, and stated that "Drag Me Down" is "one of their most pop-centric releases to date" and that "they may have taken a hit with the exit of Zayn, but One Direction are far from down and out".[16]

Mikael Wood with the Los Angeles Times gave a more negative review, stating that the song is "all too accurately titled" and that it is "decidedly smaller-scaled" and "carries no such charge" compared to the band's previous songs. He added "we're basically talking about a midtempo pop-rock jam with springy guitars that recall The Police" and the song is "more or less what you'd expect from a band of four good-looking white guys".[17]

Past member Zayn Malik took to social media and praised the single, describing it as "sick" and stating that "he was proud of his boys."[18]

Music video

[edit]

The video for "Drag Me Down" was directed by Ben and Gabe Turner and filmed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and premiered on Vevo alongside the song. The video includes the band being put through their paces as though they are astronauts preparing for a space mission.[19] It won the fan-voted 'Best Video Award' at the 2016 Brit Awards[20] and as of 9 May 2022, it has been viewed over 1 billion times on YouTube.

Remixes

[edit]

In Fall 2015, the Big Payno Remix was released which features American rapper Lunchmoney Lewis which appears on their Perfect EP.

Live performances

[edit]

One Direction gave their first performance of the song on their On the Road Again Tour in Indianapolis on 31 July 2015 until the end of their concert tour. The song was then performed live as part of a series of free summer concerts in New York City for Good Morning America on 4 August 2015.[21] The band also performed the song on several television programmes including The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[22] The Jonathan Ross Show[23] and Alan Carr: Chatty Man.[24]

Usage in media

[edit]

An instrumental version of the song is heard in the television series Grey's Anatomy (season 13 episode 8).

The track is present on the soundtrack of the Brazilian soap opera Totalmente Demais (2015).[25]

Song appears in the soundtrack of the video game Madden NFL 19 ("Longshot: Homecoming" only)

A cover of the song by the Finnish-American hard rock band Santa Cruz plays in "Best Friends, For Never", the second episode of the first season of the DC Extended Universe Max series Peacemaker.

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Drag Me Down" sold 349,000 digital copies in the United States and had 17.7 million streams worldwide in its first week of release.[26] It broke the record on Spotify for most streamed track in one day, earning 4.75 million global streams (it has since been surpassed by Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill" both receiving over 6.18 million global streams).[27][28] The song also debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, the second-highest debut of the year, with 349,000 downloads sold in its first week (making it the group's third number-one hit on the Digital Songs chart and the boy band's best sales week for a song).[29][30]

Furthermore, the song topped the charts in twelve countries, including Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Drag Me Down"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[88] 5× Platinum 350,000
Belgium (BRMA)[89] Gold 10,000
Canada (Music Canada)[90] 3× Platinum 240,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[91] 2× Platinum 180,000
Germany (BVMI)[92] Gold 200,000
Italy (FIMI)[93] 2× Platinum 100,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[94] 3× Platinum+Gold 210,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[95] 3× Platinum 90,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[96] Platinum 40,000
Poland (ZPAV)[97] 4× Platinum 80,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[98] Platinum 60,000
Sweden (GLF)[99] Platinum 40,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[101] 2× Platinum 1,200,000[100]
United States 1,208,000[102]

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"Drag Me Down" is a pop song by the English-Irish , released on 31 July 2015 as the from their fifth and final studio album, Made in the A.M.. Written by , Julian Bunetta, and John Ryan, the track marked the group's first release as a following Zayn Malik's departure from the band in March 2015. The song received positive reviews for its mature sound and tropical house-influenced production, with critics noting its departure from One Direction's earlier bubblegum pop style toward a more anthemic, upbeat vibe. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's fourth number-one single and breaking the record for the highest first-week streams on the Charts with 2.03 million plays. In the United States, "Drag Me Down" entered the at number three, where it also peaked, securing the highest debut position for any song in 2015 on that . The single also topped charts in 12 countries worldwide, including and , contributing to its global commercial success. The accompanying music video, directed by Ben Turner and and released on 20 August 2015, features the band members training as astronauts at NASA's in , , incorporating zero-gravity simulations and interactions with space technology like the . Filmed in collaboration with , the video emphasizes themes of resilience and elevation, aligning with the song's lyrics about unbreakable love. As of November 2025, it has over 1.1 billion views on , making it one of the band's most-watched visuals. "Drag Me Down" was later performed live during One Direction's and won the fan-voted British Video of the Year at the 2016 , underscoring its enduring popularity among fans.

Background and recording

Development

"Drag Me Down" was written by , Julian Bunetta, and John Ryan during sessions for One Direction's fifth studio album, Made in the A.M., in 2015. The song's creation was heavily influenced by the band's transition following Zayn Malik's departure from the group in March 2015, with its themes centering on resilience and strengthened group dynamics amid uncertainty. The initial demo was developed during a writing trip in , where the collaborators worked on the track over approximately a week, channeling the emotional impact of Malik's exit to craft an uplifting track. This process marked a pivotal moment for the remaining members—, , , and Tomlinson—as they adapted their creative approach without Malik, focusing on empowerment to signal continuity for the band.

Recording

"Drag Me Down" was recorded primarily at The Hideout in and in London during mid-2015, as part of the sessions for One Direction's fifth studio album, Made in the A.M.. The track's production was handled by Julian Bunetta and John Ryan, who also served as recording engineers, overseeing the capture of the band's performances in these facilities. The vocals were tracked by the remaining One Direction members—Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson—emphasizing their signature layered harmonies to create a rich, anthemic texture. Bass lines were integrated into the arrangement, complemented by programmed drums crafted by Bunetta and Ryan to drive the song's upbeat rhythm. Electronic elements, including synth accents and dubstep-inspired production touches, were added during these sessions to enhance the track's modern pop-rock feel. In post-production, the song was mixed by at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, focusing on balancing the vocal layers and instrumental dynamics for a polished sound. Mastering was completed by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound in New York, ensuring clarity and impact across playback formats.

Composition and lyrics

Musical composition

"Drag Me Down" is classified as a song incorporating electro-pop and subtle elements, characteristic of mid-2010s music. The track runs for 3 minutes and 12 seconds, is composed in the key of , and maintains a of 138 beats per minute, contributing to its energetic and anthemic drive. The song follows a conventional verse-chorus structure typical of contemporary , beginning with verses that build tension through pre-choruses before exploding into expansive choruses. This format includes two verses, pre-choruses leading into , a bridge for variation, and repeated choruses that amplify the song's uplifting momentum. The arrangement transitions from restrained verses to fuller, layered choruses, creating dynamic shifts that enhance the anthemic quality. Instrumentation features a prominent and electronic beats that underpin the rhythm, with synth elements driving drop-like builds reminiscent of influences adapted for pop. harmonies in the vocals add emotional depth. Production by Julian Bunetta and John Ryan employs on the vocals for a polished, radio-ready sheen, aligning with pop production trends that blend organic rock elements with electronic polish.

Lyrical content

The lyrics of "Drag Me Down" center on a theme of derived from and mutual support, where the narrator asserts resilience against external pressures and insecurities, declaring that the presence of a devoted partner or loved one renders them unbreakable. This portrays as a stabilizing force that elevates the individual, preventing any attempt to "drag [them] down" amid life's challenges, symbolizing a profound that fosters strength and perseverance. Key lines in the chorus, such as "All my life, you stood by me / When no one else was ever behind me / All these lights, they can't blind me / With your love, nobody can drag me down," underscore the theme of unwavering and , highlighting how the loved one's support acts as an against isolation or adversity. The pre-chorus further reinforces this emotional core with phrases like "If I didn't have you, there would be nothing left / The shell of a man that could never be found," illustrating without the relationship and the transformative power of mutual reliance. In the bridge, which reprises the chorus elements, the repetition builds a sense of defiant resolve, emphasizing the narrator's unyielding confidence bolstered by this bond. Louis Tomlinson has clarified that the song is not a veiled reference to band dynamics but rather a broader message of resilience, stating it is about affirming that "no-one can drag you down, you'll be alright, don't worry about it," which adds a layer of genuine encouragement. The employ poetic devices such as repetition to amplify emotional impact, with the phrase "Nobody, nobody / Nobody can drag me down" echoed multiple times across the post-chorus and bridge to instill a rhythmic of and catchiness. Complementing this, a simple —primarily AABB patterns in verses (e.g., "heart/dark," "easy/reason")—enhances accessibility and memorability, allowing the message of defiance and support to resonate straightforwardly without complex structures. Metaphors like "I've got fire for a heart" and "I got a river for a soul / And baby, you are a " further evoke inner passion and navigability through turmoil, reinforcing the song's supportive motif.

Release and promotion

Single release

"Drag Me Down" was released on 31 July 2015 as the lead single from One Direction's fifth studio album, Made in the A.M., through Syco Music and Columbia Records. The single was made available in digital download and streaming formats via platforms such as iTunes and Spotify, with no physical single issued at the time of launch; promotional CD versions were later distributed in select markets in 2015. The rollout adopted a surprise strategy, with a global simultaneous digital drop at 6:30 a.m. time, bypassing traditional pre-release announcements or marketing campaigns. This approach proved highly effective, as the track debuted at number one on the iTunes chart without any prior radio promotion—a first for the band—and topped iTunes charts in 82 countries worldwide within hours of release.

Promotional efforts

The promotional efforts for "Drag Me Down" leveraged a surprise digital release to generate immediate buzz following Zayn Malik's departure from the band in March 2015. This unannounced strategy capitalized on fan anticipation, resulting in rapid chart success and widespread media attention. The digital push extended to streaming platforms, where "Drag Me Down" shattered 's record for the most global streams in a single day, accumulating 4.75 million plays on launch day alone. This achievement underscored the song's viral momentum and the band's strong streaming presence, further amplified by inclusions on popular playlists to sustain listener engagement. Radio promotion commenced shortly after the release, with the track sent to US pop radio outlets as part of a broader international airplay campaign to expand its reach beyond digital downloads. Complementing this, the band participated in interviews to frame the single as emblematic of their evolving sound and renewed energy, such as during their August 4, 2015, appearance on , where described the lineup shift as "different" but affirmed that "it’s still going great." Tie-ins with Made in the A.M. pre-order campaigns integrated "Drag Me Down" as an anchor track, encouraging fans to bundle the single with upcoming album content for immediate digital access and heightened pre-release excitement. The efforts culminated in the music video premiere on August 20, 2015, which drew millions of views and reinforced the song's thematic narrative of resilience. The music video for "Drag Me Down" was directed by Ben Turner and and produced by Fulwell 73. It premiered on and on 20 August 2015. Filmed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in collaboration with NASA, the video depicts the band members—Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson—undergoing astronaut training. It features zero-gravity simulations, interactions with the Robonaut humanoid robot, and scenes inside mockups of the International Space Station and the Orion spacecraft. Niall Horan is shown on the Partial Gravity Simulator, Harry Styles shares a moment with Robonaut, Liam Payne enters an ISS replica, and Louis Tomlinson drives a Space Exploration Vehicle rover. The video emphasizes themes of ambition, resilience, and upliftment, tying into the song's lyrics about enduring love. As of November 2025, the video has accumulated over 1.1 billion views on , making it one of One Direction's most viewed videos.

Critical reception

"Drag Me Down" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its mature production and energetic vibe as a sign of the band's evolution post-Zayn Malik. described it as a "triumphant return" that blends One Direction's pop sound with a more mature edge, noting intriguing sonic textures while assuring fans of the quartet's capability, awarding it a score of 70 out of 100. The highlighted the song's midtempo pop-rock style with springy guitars reminiscent of , observing a grown-up vibe in its lyrics about steadfast , though suggesting it might lack the excitement of prior releases. Plugged In commended its uplifting message of and encouragement, calling it a mid-tempo with R&B and EDM influences that debuted strongly on charts. Renowned for Sound appreciated the track's fresh reggae-influenced and explosive chorus, viewing it as a successful despite repetitive , and predicted widespread popularity.

Other versions

Remixes

A digital of "Drag Me Down" was released on , 2015, as part of promotional efforts for One Direction's fifth studio album, Made in the A.M.. Titled the Big Payno x AFTERHRS , it was produced by band member under his DJ alias Big Payno, alongside Afterhrs. This version features an additional verse by American rapper and introduces a trap-inspired electronic production, incorporating heavier synth layers, pulsating bass, and a more dynamic compared to the original's mid-tempo pop structure. The stylistic shift aimed to target and club audiences, enhancing the track's appeal for radio and play while maintaining the core vocal hooks. The runs for 3:08, slightly trimming the original's 3:12 length for tighter pacing. The remix was bundled as a B-side on the digital EP for the follow-up single "Perfect," released the same month, to broaden the song's market reach across pop and electronic genres. It later appeared on the band's Remixes EP in July 2020, commemorating their tenth anniversary with a collection of club-oriented reworks.

Cover versions

"Drag Me Down" has inspired a range of cover versions by independent artists and fans, highlighting the song's enduring appeal and its adaptability for acoustic and emotional reinterpretations. In 2015, Canadian singer released an acoustic cover, emphasizing a stripped-down guitar . That same year, American singer-songwriter released an acoustic cover as a single on , presenting a stripped-down with guitar that emphasizes her vocal performance. Also in 2015, post-hardcore band released a rock cover featuring , incorporating heavier instrumentation and vocal harmonies. Italian musician Michele Grandinetti shared a piano rendition on in October, featuring a slowed tempo and a focus on intimate, emotional delivery to convey the song's themes of resilience. Following the song's initial release, various fan covers emerged on video-sharing platforms such as and , particularly after 2020, though none achieved significant chart success. In 2025, marking the 10th anniversary of the track's release on July 31, 2015, additional fan covers appeared online, including a studio version by Cassara in August and a lofi reinterpretation in , reflecting ongoing interest in the song's themes of unbreakable support.

Live performances and media use

Live performances

"Drag Me Down" received its live debut during One Direction's concert at in on July 31, 2015, just hours after the single's release, marking the song's addition to the setlist of the . The band's first televised performance followed on August 4, 2015, during in New York City's Central Park, where they delivered the track to a large outdoor crowd as part of the show's Summer Concert Series. The song became a staple of the , One Direction's final headlining outing, performed a total of 54 times live in 2015, including 40 times across stadiums and arenas worldwide, often closing shows with layered band harmonies and accompanied by pyrotechnics that heightened the energetic atmosphere. Variations included stripped-down renditions at events like KIIS FM's Jingle Ball on December 4, 2015, at Staples Center in , emphasizing vocal dynamics without full production. Post-hiatus, incorporated the track into his solo tours, delivering emotive solo interpretations that highlighted its themes of resilience. A notable rendition occurred during the band's final concert on October 31, 2015, at Motorpoint Arena in , , where "Drag Me Down" served as an emotional closer, underscoring the group's impending hiatus with powerful, heartfelt delivery amid and fan chants.

Usage in media

"Drag Me Down" has been prominently featured in various media through sync licensing deals coordinated by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which helped amplify its reach beyond music platforms. In advertising, the song served as the soundtrack for the 2016 television commercial titled "One Direction Approved," in which the band members evaluate the vehicle's performance during a test drive. The track also appeared in video games, debuting as downloadable content for on December 29, 2015, allowing players to perform it on virtual instruments. It was later included in the soundtrack of (2018), specifically within the story mode ": ," enhancing the game's sports simulation experience. On digital platforms, "Drag Me Down" experienced a resurgence in the 2020s via trends, including dance challenges on that drew millions of user-generated videos. In 2024, it was curated into popular summer playlists such as Hot Girl Summer 2024, underscoring its enduring appeal in upbeat, seasonal compilations. These placements contributed to sustained streaming growth, with anniversary content marking the song's 10th release in 2025 further boosting engagement on platforms like and .

Commercial performance

Weekly charts

"Drag Me Down" achieved significant success on weekly music charts globally, driven primarily by strong digital download sales following its surprise digital release. In the United States, the song debuted at number three on the dated August 15, 2015, marking the highest debut of the year at that point and One Direction's biggest first-week sales for a single with 349,000 downloads. It peaked at number three the following week and spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart. Additionally, it topped the Billboard Digital Songs chart in its debut week. In the , "Drag Me Down" entered the Official Singles Chart at number one on August 7, 2015, holding the top position for one week and totaling 31 weeks on the chart. The debut set a record for the highest first-week for a single at the time, with 2.03 million streams. The song reached number one on official weekly charts in six countries, including , , , , , and the , reflecting its digital dominance on platforms like where it topped charts in over 80 countries upon release. Below is a table summarizing peak positions, entry dates, and durations on major weekly charts in select top markets:
CountryChart NamePeak PositionEntry DateWeeks on Chart
ARIA Singles Chart1August 10, 201522
1August 7, 201519
Billboard Canadian Hot 1004August 15, 201520
SNEP Singles Chart1August 7, 201515
10August 7, 201519
IRMA Singles Chart1August 6, 201525
FIMI Singles Chart4August 6, 201512
5August 15, 201519
1August 10, 201523
6August 7, 201518
Official Singles Chart1August 7, 201531
3August 15, 201520
The track's performance was bolstered by its immediate availability for digital purchase, leading to robust initial download figures across markets, though streaming contributions grew in subsequent weeks.

Year-end charts

"Drag Me Down" performed strongly on year-end charts in 2015, underscoring its popularity as One Direction's from . The track ranked within the top 100 in multiple major markets, driven by robust digital downloads and streaming activity that contributed to its sustained presence on weekly charts throughout the latter half of the year.
Chart (2015)Position
Australia (ARIA)50
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)52
UK Singles (OCC)37
US Billboard Hot 10065
In 2016, the song continued to garner streams, demonstrating longevity in the digital era, though it did not achieve a prominent year-end ranking on the Hot 100. Globally, it bolstered One Direction's digital sales performance, surpassing prior singles like "Story of My Life" in annual metrics for several territories.

Certifications

"Drag Me Down" has received numerous certifications from associations worldwide, reflecting its strong commercial performance through sales and streaming equivalents. In the United States, the song was certified 5× Platinum by the (RIAA) in 2016, denoting 5 million units sold or streamed. This certification accounts for 2.5 million digital sales in 2015 combined with streaming equivalents post-2016, with further updates applied by the RIAA as of November 2025 to incorporate ongoing streaming data. In the , it earned 2× Platinum certification from the (BPI), equivalent to 1.2 million units. In , the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awarded it 5× Platinum status. Globally, the track has achieved significant certified units across various territories.

References

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