"You & I" is the fifth track from One Direction's third album, Midnight Memories. It served as the fourth and final single. An official music video was released on April 18, 2014.[1]
You & I was a top 20 single in the UK and a top 10 single in Ireland. The song has been performed on the Where We Are Tour and the On The Road Again Tour. The song is widely considered to feature Zayn Malik's standout vocal performance.
Lyrically, the song describes a strong love.
Background[]
One Direction announce next single
One Direction announced You & I was to be the fourth single from Midnight Memories through a seven second YouTube video[2] on April 11, 2014. The band was seen filming the video on March 24th in Somerset. The video was directed by Ben Winston ("Best Song Ever", "Story of My Life"). They also offered fans the chance to remix their own version of the track, upload it onto SoundCloud, and then Liam would be picking a few for a special 1D playlist, also on SoundCloud[3].
The official audio for the radio edit was uploaded to YouTube on April 14th ahead of the single release on April 18th[4]. A short video message by Liam announced pre-orders for "You & I" bundle on iTunes would also come with a special message from the band, as well as an exclusive "Big Payno Remix"[5].
Controversy[]
Australian band Clubfeet claimed the music video plagiarized their own video for a song called "Everything You Wanted".[6] As a result, fan opinion of the video is low, with many considering it One Direction's worst, due to the plaigiarism claims, Winston's odd direction choices and the unsettling, subpar special effects.
Lyrical Speculation[]
Some fans have speculated if the song references same sex relationships, similar to Made in the A.M. track "End of the Day". The lyrics allude to someone comparing their relationship to others and realizing they don't want to be like other couples. Fans who believe Liam and Zayn were once, or are still, a couple noted Liam's "I figured it out" tattoo, a lyric from the song, which he got before the song's release. Fans who believe Harry and Louis were/are an item, have noted they often face each other when performing the song live, and noted lyrics such as "They see things in a different light" and "Nothing can come between you and I" could be interpreted as references to discrimination.
Lyrics[]
[Niall]
I figured it out
I figured it out from black and white
Seconds and hours
Maybe they had to take some time
[Liam]
I know how it goes
I know how it goes from wrong and right
Silence and sound
Did they ever hold each other tight like us?
Did they ever fight like us?
[Harry]
You and I
We don't wanna be like them
We can make it till the end
Nothing can come between you and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
No nothing can come between you and I
Oh, you and I
[Zayn]
I figured it out
Saw the mistakes of up and down
Meet in the middle
There's always room for common ground
[Louis]
I see what it's like
I see what it's like for day and night
Never together
Cause they see things in a different light like us
Did they ever try like us?
[Harry]
You and I
We don't wanna be like them
We can make it till the end
Nothing can come between you and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
[Instrumental]
[Zayn]
'Cause you and I!
[All led by Harry]
We don't wanna be like them
We can make it till the end
Nothing can come between you and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
No nothing can come between you and I
[Zayn]
You and I…
[All led by Harry]
Oh, you and I
[Zayn]
Oh…
[All led by Harry]
You and I
[Zayn]
We could make it if we try
You and I…
[Harry]
Oh, you and I
Music Video[]
| Music Video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
|
Released | April 18, 2014 |
| Length | 4:04 | |
| Director | Ben Winston | |
| Production Co | ||
| Choreographer | ||
| Filmed | 24 March 2014 | |
| Location | Clevedon, Somerset, England[7] | |
| VEVO views | 318,661,579 (as of June 30, 2017) | |
In 2015, the music video won a BRIT Award for "Best British Video". The band did not attend the awards ceremony.
Live Performances[]
One Direction - You & I (BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend 2014)-0
Credits[]
- Writers - John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Jamie Scott
- Producers - John Ryan, Julian Bunetta
References[]
- ↑ Instagram Video by One Direction
- ↑ YouTube You & I single announcement
- ↑ onedirectionmusic.com You & I Single Release And Remix
- ↑ YouTube One Direction - You & I (Radio Edit) [Official Audio]
- ↑ YouTube.com Pre Order You & I Now!
- ↑ http://www.buzzfeed.com/bradesposito/did-one-direction-plagiarise-their-latest-music-video
- ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2588018/One-Directions-Niall-Horan-clutches-hot-water-bottle-films-Somerset-Harry-Styles-Liam-Payne.html