“Strong” is the seventh track from One Direction’s third album, Midnight Memories.
The song is a fan favorite and has been performed on both the Where We Are Tour and the On The Road Again Tour. However, it was removed from the On The Road Again Tour setlist during the North American leg.
Lyrically, the song expresses a desire to openly love and need someone without concern for external judgment.
Background[]
“Strong” was co-written by Louis Tomlinson and is widely speculated to be about his relationship with bandmate Harry Styles. Some fans have theorized that the first verse references several nautical-themed tattoos that both Styles and Tomlinson have.
Harry’s father, Des Styles, tweeted that this track is his favorite from the album.
Tomlinson remarked that fans’ use of the “you make me strong” lyrics on signs they hold up at concerts is a highlight of his career and serves as a reminder of the impact his songwriting has on people.
One of the songwriters involved noted that Tomlinson aimed to make a statement that challenged the stereotype of men suppressing their feelings and emotions.
In an interview with MTV News, Julian Bunetta stated, “We got into this discussion about how when you tell someone, ‘I need you, I love you, and I need you ’cause you make me strong,’ it can essentially scare someone off. It’s pressure, so people just kind of run from it. So, that’s what the lyric is.” Bunetta, who also contributed to the production of songs on the album, continued, “It’s saying, ‘I’m sorry if I say this, but f**k it.’ It was just sort of a thing that I think all guys feel: having to uphold the ‘I’m strong’ philosophy for the woman they love, and then kind of throwing that idea out the window.”
Lyrics[]
[Zayn]
My hands, your hands
Tied up like two ships
Drifting, weightless
Waves try to break it
I’d do anything to save it
Why is it so hard to save it?
[Liam]
My heart, your heart
Sit tight like bookends
Pages between us
Written with no end
So many words we’re not saying
Don’t wanna wait till it's gone
You make me strong
[Harry]
I’m sorry if I say, “I need you”
But I don’t care, I’m not scared of love
’Cause when I’m not with you, I’m weaker
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?
That you make me strong?
[Louis]
Think of how much love that’s been wasted
People always try to escape it
Move on to stop their heart breaking
But there’s nothing I’m running from
You make me strong
[All]
I’m sorry if I say, “I need you”
But I don’t care, I’m not scared of love
’Cause when I’m not with you, I’m weaker
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?
[Zayn]
So, baby, hold on to my heart, oh
Need you to keep me from fallin‘ apart
I’ll always hold on
’Cause you make me strong
[Niall]
I’m sorry if I say, “I need you”
But I don’t care, I’m not scared of love
’Cause when I’m not with you, I’m weaker
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?
[All]
I’m sorry if I say, “I need you”
But I don’t care, I’m not scared of love
’Cause when I’m not with you, I’m weaker
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?
I’m sorry if I say, “I need you”
But I don’t care, I’m not scared of love
’Cause when I’m not with you, I’m weaker
Is that so wrong?
Is it so wrong?
[Harry]
That you make me strong?
Reception[]
Michael Cragg of the Daily Mirror gave “Strong” four out of five stars, stating: “‘My hands, your hands tied up like two ships,’ sings Zayn to open ‘Strong.’ I don’t think it’s about nautical bondage, mind you, but more about love and feeling safe with someone who’s your soulmate, etc., etc., and so on. Again, it’s upbeat but quite ‘mature,’ and certainly less teenage than “What Makes You Beautiful.” This isn’t about a quick fumble; more a recently announced engagement. It’s also ridiculously catchy.”
Writing for Billboard, Chris Payne described the song as “a love song in the earnest, mid-tempo vein of previous track “Don’t Forget Where You Belong.” It’s the sort of song that plenty of boy bands and well-meaning soft rockers have pulled off before . . .”
Chart Performance[]
The song reached number one on the Official New Zealand Music Chart, marking One Direction’ third number one in New Zealand, following “Live While We’re Young” (2012) and “Story of My Life” (2013). It also charted at number 48 on the UK Singles Chart, number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 44 on the Canadian Hot 100.
Credits[]
- Louis Tomlinson — co-writer
- Jamie Scott — writer
- Julian Bunetta — writer, producer
- John Ryan — writer, producer