If I Could Fly (One Direction song)

Last updated
"If I Could Fly"
Song by One Direction
from the album Made in the A.M.
Length3:50
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Carlsson

"If I Could Fly" is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction from their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M. (2015). It was written by Harry Styles, Johan Carlsson and Ross Golan, with production handled by Carlsson.

Contents

Following the release of Made in the A.M., "If I Could Fly" debuted at number 79 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached the Billboard Hot 100 at number 83. The song was certified silver in the United Kingdom by the BPI and gold in Mexico by the AMPROFON.

Composition and lyrics

"If I Could Fly" was written by Harry Styles, [1] Johan Carlsson and Ross Golan, while production was handled by Carlsson. [2] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, by Alfred Music Publishing, the track runs at 75 BPM and is in the key of F major. [3] Musically, the track has been described as a piano-driven ballad. [4] Lyrically, the song finds the band, "in a state of vulnerability, defenseless, and with their heart on their sleeve." [5]

In an interview with Rolling Stone , Julian Bunetta who co-wrote songs from Made in the A.M., recalled how the song came together, "I remember when Harry first played it to me. That one I didn't write, but I remember when I first heard it. We were in Westlake Studio for a week. I kept asking why he wanted to call it 'If I Could Fly'. It's a great song, so it doesn't really matter what it's called, does it?." [6]

Critical reception

Taylor Weatherby of Billboard stated, "it's possibly the best display of how talented the 1D guys are as singers [...] this track is probably the best way to prove that that label is simply discrediting them." [7] In a review for Made in the A.M. writing for The Guardian , Tshepo Mokoena called the track, "downtempo Coldplay." [8]

Cover versions

Former bassist of Panic! at the Disco, Jon Walker covered the song in January 2021. [9]

Chart performance

"If I Could Fly" debuted at number 79 on the UK Singles Chart and was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry in 2023. [10] [11] The song also reached number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100. [12] The song was certified gold by the AMPROFON in 2020. [13]

Personnel

Credits for "If I Could Fly" adapted from album's liner notes. [2]

Charts

Chart performance for "If I Could Fly"
Chart (2015)Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [14] 60
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [15] 70
Ireland (IRMA) [16] 53
Italy (FIMI) [17] 26
France (SNEP) [18] 146
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [19] 89
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [20] 58
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 79
US Billboard Hot 100 [12] 83

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Mexico (AMPROFON) [13] Gold30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [11] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Martin</span> Swedish record producer and songwriter (born 1971)

Karl Martin Sandberg, known professionally as Max Martin, is a Swedish record producer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in the late 1990s with songwriting credits on a string of hit singles, such as Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" (1998), the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way" (1999), Celine Dion's "That's the Way It Is" (1999) and NSYNC's "It's Gonna Be Me" (2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Californication (song)</span> 2000 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Californication" is a song by the American rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their seventh album, Californication (1999). Released as a single in June 2000, it reached number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want It That Way</span> 1999 single by Backstreet Boys

"I Want It That Way" is a song by American vocal group Backstreet Boys. It was released on April 12, 1999, as the lead single from their third studio album, Millennium. It was written by Max Martin and Andreas Carlsson, while Martin and Kristian Lundin produced it. The pop ballad tells of a romantic relationship strained by emotional or physical distance matters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)</span> 1985 single by Huey Lewis and the News

"The Power of Love" is a 1985 single by Huey Lewis and the News, written for the soundtrack of the 1985 blockbuster film Back to the Future. The song became the band's first number-one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and their second number-one hit on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. In the United Kingdom, it was released as a double-A side with "Do You Believe in Love," becoming the band's only top ten hit on the UK Singles Chart. The song is included alongside "Back in Time" on the film's soundtrack, and appears as a bonus track on international editions of the band's fourth studio album, Fore! The song also played at the end of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," an episode of The Really Loud House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Makes You Beautiful</span> 2011 first single of One Direction

"What Makes You Beautiful" is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction. It was their first single and also served as the lead single from their debut album, Up All Night (2011). Written by Savan Kotecha and producer Rami Yacoub, the song was released by Syco Records on 11 September 2011. The uptempo power pop track features a prominent guitar-based chorus and riff. The middle eight consists of a "na na na" hook.

<i>Up All Night</i> (One Direction album) 2011 studio album by One Direction

Up All Night is the debut studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, released by Syco Records in November 2011 in Ireland and the United Kingdom, followed by a worldwide release during 2012. Four months after finishing third in the seventh series of British reality singing contest The X Factor in December 2010, One Direction began recording the album in Sweden, the UK, and the United States, working with a variety of writers and producers. The album's lyrical content regards being young, relationships, heartbreak and empowerment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Thing (One Direction song)</span> 2012 single by One Direction

"One Thing" is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction from their debut studio album, Up All Night (2011). It was released in various countries by Syco Music on 6 January 2012, as their second single, and as their third single in the UK on 13 February 2012. Additionally, Columbia Records sent it to contemporary hit radio playlists on 22 May 2012 as their second single in the United States. Written by Savan Kotecha and its producers, Carl Falk and Rami Yacoub, initially, the upbeat pop rock number was written as two different songs. As both tracks had elusive attributes, the trio decided to merge the two into one song. The lyrical content regards the narrator's infatuation with a significant other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Direction discography</span>

English-Irish boy band One Direction have released five studio albums, ten extended plays, seventeen singles, two video albums, and seventeen music videos. They signed with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Records after being formed and finishing third in the seventh series of British television singing competition The X Factor in 2010. They subsequently signed in North America with Columbia Records. One Direction: This Is Us, a 3D documentary concert film was released on 29 August 2013 in the United Kingdom and 30 August 2013 in the United States. The film captures the band on the road during the Take Me Home Tour and documents their origins and rise to fame.

<i>Made in the A.M.</i> 2015 studio album by One Direction

Made In the A.M. is the fifth and most recent studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, released on 13 November 2015, by Columbia Records and Syco Music. This album is also the group's first album following the departure of Zayn Malik, who left the group on 25 March 2015, and the group's last album before they entered their indefinite hiatus in January 2016. The album was preceded by the three singles "Drag Me Down", released on 31 July 2015; "Perfect", released on 16 October 2015 and "History", released on 6 November 2015. These three singles reached the top 10 in a number of national charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infinity (One Direction song)</span> 2015 promotional single by One Direction

"Infinity" is a song by Irish-British boy band One Direction from their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M. (2015). It was released as a single on iTunes and Apple Music on 22 September 2015. The song was at first announced as the third official single from the album, but was eventually scrapped in favour of "History".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perfect (One Direction song)</span> 2015 single by One Direction

"Perfect" is a song by British-Irish boy band One Direction. Released on 16 October 2015 as the second single from their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M., it debuted at number one in Ireland, and reached the top 10 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, France, New Zealand and Australia. The song was written by members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, along with the band's regular collaborators, Julian Bunetta and John Ryan among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maluma discography</span>

Colombian singer Maluma has released six studio albums, one mixtape, three extended play, ninety-one singles, and ten promotional singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home (One Direction song)</span> 2015 promotional single by One Direction

"Home" is a song by English-Irish boy band One Direction from their EP Perfect. It was released as part of the digital EP on iTunes and Apple Music on 16 October 2015. The song is included as a bonus track on the Japanese version of Made in the A.M.. This song was written by Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Jamie Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History (One Direction song)</span> 2015 single by One Direction

"History" is a song by British-Irish boy band One Direction. It was released on 6 November 2015 as the third and final single from their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M. (2015). It was also the final single released by the group before their hiatus began in January 2016, with members of the band focusing on their solo projects. "History" peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dangerous Woman (song)</span> 2016 single by Ariana Grande

"Dangerous Woman" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on March 11, 2016 by Republic Records as the lead single from her third studio album of the same name (2016). It was written by Johan Carlsson, Ross Golan, and Max Martin, produced by Martin and Carlsson. "Dangerous Woman" is a mid-tempo pop and R&B song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sign of the Times (Harry Styles song)</span> 2017 single by Harry Styles

"Sign of the Times" is the debut solo single by British singer-songwriter Harry Styles from his self-titled debut studio album. Released on 7 April 2017 by Columbia Records, it was first written by Jeff Bhasker, Mitch Rowland, Ryan Nasci, Alex Salibian, while Styles gets writing credits for contributing. It was produced by Bhasker and co produced by Salibian and Johnson. Musically, it was described by critics as a pop rock and soft rock ballad. Its accompanying music video was released on 8 May 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Ghosts</span> 2017 single by Harry Styles

"Two Ghosts" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Harry Styles for his self-titled debut studio album. The song was written by Styles, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Mitch Rowland and Tyler Johnson and its production was handled by Jeff Bhasker, Alex Salibian and Johnson. It was released as the second single from the album to US adult contemporary radio by Columbia Records on 7 August 2017, and to pop radio the next day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slow Hands (Niall Horan song)</span> 2017 single by Niall Horan

"Slow Hands" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, released as a single on 4 May 2017 by Capitol Records. The song was written by Horan, Alexander Izquierdo, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Ruth Anne Cunningham and Tobias Jesso Jr., while the production was handled by Bunetta. It was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on 9 May 2017 as the second single from Horan's debut solo album Flicker (2017).

<i>Voicenotes</i> 2018 studio album by Charlie Puth

Voicenotes is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. Almost entirely produced by Puth himself, the album was released by Artist Partner Group and Atlantic Records on May 11, 2018. Five singles have been released from the album, including "Attention" and "How Long". "Attention" peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "How Long" peaked at number 21.

References

  1. ↑ Alex Hopper (3 December 2023). "The 4 Best Songs Harry Styles Wrote for One Direction". American Songwriter . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  2. 1 2 Made in the A.M. (CD liner). One Direction. Columbia Records. 2015. 8-88751-30792-6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ "If I Could Fly by One Direction - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Music Publishing . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  4. ↑ Madeline Roth (14 November 2015). "21 Fans Respond To One Direction's Saddest Song Ever". MTV . Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  5. ↑ Cillea Houghton (1 December 2023). "6 Times Harry Styles Songs Made Us Cry". American Songwriter . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ↑ Brittany Spanos (11 November 2015). "One Direction Collaborator Breaks Down Group's New Songs". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Taylor Weatherby (13 November 2016). "Every Song on One Direction's 'Made in the A.M.,' Ranked". Billboard . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  8. ↑ Tshepo Mokoena (12 November 2015). "One Direction: Made in the AM review – a playful but reflective goodbye (for now)". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Jennifer Dill (15 January 2021). "Jon Walker Releases Intimate One Direction Cover". Second Society Report. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  10. 1 2 "One Direction: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  11. 1 2 "British single certifications – One Direction – If I Could Fly". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  12. 1 2 "One Direction Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas . Retrieved 21 January 2024.Type One Direction in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and If I Could Fly in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  14. ↑ "One Direction – If I Could Fly" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "One Direction Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – If I Could Fly". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "One Direction – If I Could Fly". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "One Direction – If I Could Fly" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "One Direction – If I Could Fly" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  20. ↑ "One Direction – If I Could Fly". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.