Best Song Ever
"Best Song Ever" | |
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Song | |
B-side |
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Music video | |
"Best Song Ever" on YouTube |
"Best Song Ever" is a song recorded by English-Irish boy band One Direction. It was released on 22 July 2013 by Syco as the lead single from the group's third studio album, Midnight Memories. The song was written and composed by Wayne Hector, Ed Drewett and Matt Rad, along with the band's regular collaborators Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.
"Best Song Ever" debuted and peaked at number two on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, making it their highest charting single in the United States to date. The song was kept off the top spot only by Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines".
Critical response
Will Hermes from Rolling Stone gave "Best Song Ever" a score of 4 out of 5 stars, describing the track as "pretty irresistible".[1] Lewis Corner at Digital Spy also awarded the song 4 out of 5 stars, writing: "Sure the lyrics are cheesier than a 6-pack of Wotsits, and yes the sentiment is cornier than a Disney Channel rom-com, but as far as boyband pop anthems go it skirts dangerously close to fulfilling its title."[2]
Music video
The music video for "Best Song Ever" was directed by Ben Winston and written by comedian James Corden.[3] Filmed over two days at The Temple House in Miami Beach, Florida,[4] the video was released on the band's Vevo channel on 22 July 2013.
The video is over six minutes long and features the band arguing with clueless studio executives in a battle over their new image. Niall Horan plays Harvey (a parody of film producer Harvey Weinstein) and Louis Tomlinson plays Jonny (a parody of Tom Cruise's character in Tropic Thunder), while Zayn Malik plays their sexy assistant Veronica. The duo are stoked on how to take the band to the proverbial next level but proceed to bring in an under-qualified crew consisting of Marcel, the dweeby marketing guy (Harry Styles) and Leeroy, the overzealous choreographer (Liam Payne). Interspersed with scenes from their film One Direction: This is Us, the band are shown, wreaking havoc throughout the office and even throwing in a few dance moves for good measure.[5]
The music video won a British Video at the 2014 Brit Awards in 19 February 2014
The video broke the Vevo 24-hour record with 12.3 million views, although the record was later broken by Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball", which garnered 19.3 million views.[6]
Live performances
The group performed "Best Song Ever" live for the first time on 30 July 2013 at the SAP center in San Jose, California during their Take Me Home Tour concert. The song was subsequently added to the set-list to all proceeding shows of the American leg. The group's first televised performance of the single was at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards on 11 August. The group also performed the song, along with some of their other hits, on The Today Show on 23 August, on America's Got Talent on 28 August, and again on The X Factor Australia on 27 October. On 15 November, the group performed "Best Song Ever" for the first time on British television at Children in Need 2013. Since its release, the song closed out all concerts for the 2014 Where We Are Tour and the 2015 On the Road Again Tour.
In popular culture
Musicians such as Gabrielle Aplin[7] and The Vamps[8] have covered "Best Song Ever". "Weird Al" Yankovic also covered the song as part of his polka medley "NOW That's What I Call Polka!" for his 2014 album Mandatory Fun.[9] The song is featured in the video game series Just Dance 2015. The song is also used for the commercial of Nestea in the Philippines in 2017.
Track listings
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Best Song Ever" |
| 3:22 |
2. | "Last First Kiss" (Live Version from the Motion Picture One Direction: This Is Us) |
|
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Best Song Ever" |
| 3:22 |
2. | "Best Song Ever" (Jump Smokers Remix) |
| 3:08 |
3. | "Best Song Ever" (Westfunk & Steve Smart Remix) |
| |
4. | "Last First Kiss" (Live Version from the Motion Picture One Direction: This Is Us) |
Charts
Weekly charts |
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[52] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[53] | Gold | 15,000* |
Japan (RIAJ)[54] | Gold | 100,000^ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[55] | Gold | 30,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[56] | Gold | 7,500* |
Sweden (GLF)[57] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[60] | Platinum | 1,275,000[59] |
Venezuela (APFV)[61] | Gold | 5,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
France[62] | 22 July 2013 | Digital download | Sony |
Germany[63] | |||
Italy[64] | |||
United Kingdom[65] | Syco | ||
United States[66] | Columbia | ||
United States[67] | 23 July 2013 | Mainstream radio | |
Germany[68] | 16 August 2013 | Maxi single | Sony |
France[69] | 19 August 2013 | ||
United Kingdom[70] | Syco | ||
United States[10] | 20 August 2013 | CD single | Columbia |
Japan[71] | 21 August 2013 | Maxi single | Sony |
Italy[72] | 27 August 2013 |
Awards
"Best Song Ever" won the award for Best Song of the Summer at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.
Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Song of Summer | Won |
Rockbjörnen | Best International Song | Nominated | |
World Music Awards | World's Best Song | ||
World's Best Video |
References
- ^ ""Best Song Ever"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ "One Direction: 'Best Song Ever' review". Digital Spy. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ "8 Reasons Why One Direction's Video For 'Best Song Ever' Is The Best Video Ever". HuffPost UK. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ "One Direction's "Best Song Ever" Video Filmed at World Famous Temple House". Marketwire. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "One Direction Play Dress-Up in 'Best Song'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ Alicia Adejobi. "Miley Cyrus Beats One Direction's VEVO Record After 'Wrecking Ball' Becomes Most-Viewed Video In Less Than 24 Hours". EntertainmentWise. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Gabrielle Aplin Covers One Direction's "Best Song Ever" On BBC Live Lounge: Watch - idolator". idolator. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ The Vamps (28 September 2013), One Direction - Best Song Ever (Cover By The Vamps), retrieved 13 September 2017
- ^ Mandatory Fun (liner notes). "Weird Al" Yankovic. RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. 2014.
- ^ a b "Best Song Ever (Walmart Exclusive)". Walmart.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "bol.com - Best Song Ever, One Direction - Muziek". Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ a b BPP, ed. (November–December 2013). "Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (46): 88.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 40. týden 2013 in the date selector.
- ^ "Hitlisten.NU – One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Digital Singles Charts – Greece". Billboard.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 30, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Top Digital Download.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Ingles Top 20". Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – One Direction" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Topp 20 Single uke 31, 2013 – VG-lista. Offisielle hitlister fra og med 1958" (in Norwegian). VG-lista.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201339 into search.
- ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2013-09-10". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ 8월 1주차 (2013.07.21~2013.07.27) 해외 디지털 차트 [1st Week of August (21/07/2013 – 27/07/2013) Foreign Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Chart. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever" Canciones Top 50.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "One Direction – Best Song Ever". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
- ^ "Pop Rock General". Record Report (in Spanish). R.R. Digital C.A. 28 September 2013. Archived from the original on 19 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 2013". ARIA. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Ultratop Jaaroverzichten 2013" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ "Best of 2013: Canadian Hot 100". Prometheus Gobal Media. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ^ "Year-end 2013: Singles" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ "End of Year 2013" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ^ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles Chart – 02/09/2013". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 9 January 2015. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Best Song Ever" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Japanese single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 27 January 2016. Select 2014年10月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 12 February 2014. Type One Direction in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Best Song Ever in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 21 October 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Veckolista Singlar – Vecka 40, 4 oktober 2013" (in Swedish). Hitlistan.se. Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "British single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Best Song Ever in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Trust, Gary (13 November 2013). "Chart Watch: Waiting For Gaga". Chart Watch. Billboard.
- ^ "American single certifications – One Direction – Best Song Ever". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
- ^ APFV (16 June 2014). "Certificaciones De Venezuela Del 2013" (PDF) (in Spanish). APFV. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ Best Song Ever: One Direction: Amazon.fr: Téléchargements MP3
- ^ Best Song Ever: One Direction: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads
- ^ Best Song Ever: One Direction: Amazon.it: Musica MP3
- ^ Best Song Ever (From This Is Us): One Direction: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads
- ^ Amazon.com: Best Song Ever: One Direction: MP3 Downloads
- ^ WebCite query result
- ^ Best Song Ever: Amazon.de: Musik
- ^ Best Song Ever: One Direction, Albin Nedler: Amazon.fr: Musique
- ^ Best Song Ever: Amazon.co.uk: Music
- ^ Amazon.co.jp: ベスト・ソング・エヴァー: 音楽
- ^ Best Song Ever: One Direction: Amazon.it: Musica