Ten years ago, the British invasion of the 21st century happened through a five-piece boy band. On 23rd July, 2010, it took only 10 minutes for Simon Cowell to form a quintet into what would be known as One Direction, one of the most successful boy bands of all time. Their circumstance was unexpected but in no way was it a regret. They took the world by storm, touched millions, broke numerous records and became indispensable to almost every teen in the world.
They were not just a band. They revolutionized the music industry and created one of the largest and the strongest fan-bases: Directioners. Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik were perhaps the greatest team the world has ever seen.
One direction inspired us to live while we’re young. They made us believe in little things. They made us dance all night to the best song ever. They made us enjoy, sing and create midnight memories. They amused us with ‘Kiss You’ and made us feel blue with ‘Story of my Life’. They emboldened us, singing nobody can drag us down. They wanted us to be loved and to be in love. They taught us just how fast the night changes and not to lose hope. Their songs never left our heads. They weren’t perfect but they had that one thing (that just can’t be described) that never failed to captivate us.
One Direction has helped shape millions of people (their fans) into who they are today. Though the five became four, then gradually disbanded and went in different directions, they are still contagious and a beacon of hope - causing smiles, laughter and happiness all over the world. We don’t know whether they will ever come back together. But in our hearts, they never left. They are a little infinity. Maybe twenty years down the line, we would still feel nostalgic when we see a graffiti, ‘This is us’ and would still sing, ‘Baby, you light my world like nobody else.’
#GrowingUpADirectioner
