As we mourn the loss of Liam Payne, we thought we would take a look back at his finest moments while with One Direction. As all of his bandmates have noted in their public eulogies for Payne, he was the most experienced out of the group. When they formed as teenagers, Payne was the professional vocalist. His stunning vocal chops remained throughout his entire life, giving us many highlights to choose from. Though it’s not an exhaustive list, check out four of our favorite Payne vocal moments, below.
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[RELATED: Zayn Malik and Niall Horan Pen Heartbreaking Tributes Over Liam Payne’s Tragic Death]
4 of Liam Payne’s Best Vocal Moments From His Time With One Direction
1. “Summer Love”
“Summer Love” is a breezy mid-tempo track about fleeting love. While the band’s harmonies are the star of the show in this song, Payne has a moment in the bridge that is more than memorable. We’ve chosen a live performance from 2013 for this inclusion on our list. Payne ad-libs through the bridge, creating a vocal line that is arguably better than what he put down in the studio.
Don’t say the word that’s on your lips
Don’t look at me that way
Just promise you’ll remember when the sky is grey
‘Cause you were mine for the summer
Now we know it’s nearly over
Feels like snow in September
But I always will remember
2. “Night Changes”
Our next performance comes from when the band continued on as a foursome in the wake of Zayn Malik’s departure. Though, as all One Direction fans will tell you, Malik’s absence was certainly felt, his former bandmates did well to deliver performances that were just as rich. Payne was a huge part of that. His robust vocal range can be seen in the performance of “Night Changes,” below. His powerful runs are impossible to ignore here.
Goin’ out tonight, changes into something red
Her mother doesn’t like that kind of dress
Everything she never had, she’s showing off
Driving too fast, moon is breaking through her hair
She’s heading for something that she won’t forget
Having no regrets is all that she really wants
3. “FourFiveSeconds”
While Payne shined on his own songs, he was also adept at a cover. One Direction once covered Kanye West, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney’s “FourFiveSeconds.” The ace in their sleeve was Payne. His soulful voice carried this performance, giving it the emotion it needed.
I think I’ve had enough
I might get a little drunk
I say what’s on my mind
I might do a little time
‘Cause all of my kindness
Is taken for weakness
4. “You & I”
“You & I” isn’t an easy song to sing–especially the soaring high note that Malik typically sang in the bridge. With Malik gone during their On the Road Again Tour, Payne stepped up to the plate. You can hear his rendition of the ad-lib in the performance, below. Though it wasn’t exactly what Malik had committed to the recording of this song, Payne delivered something that was original and just as enticing.
You and I, we don’t wanna be like them
We can make it ’til the end
Nothing can come between you and I
Not even the Gods above
Can separate the two of us
(Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
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