Most people think of Liam Payne as just one of the five guys in One Direction who could hit the high notes. But if you actually look at the liner notes of those later albums, you'll see his name everywhere. Honestly, he was one half of the band's powerhouse writing duo along with Louis Tomlinson. While the early days were mostly controlled by big-name pop writers, Liam basically forced his way into the studio to make sure their sound evolved.
He wasn't just a singer. He was a songwriter.
By the time the band reached their third and fourth albums, Liam was co-writing over half the tracks. That’s a massive jump from the "Up All Night" era where the boys were just handed songs to record. If you're looking for the real list of liam payne songs he wrote, you have to look past the solo singles and back into the 1D deep cuts that defined an era.
The Payno-Tommo Writing Era
It’s no secret among the "Directioner" fanbase that Liam and Louis (often called "Lilo" or "Payno and Tommo") became the primary architects of the band's mature sound. They weren't just scribbling lyrics in a notebook; they were in the booth with producers like Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.
One of the most famous examples is "Midnight Memories." That song is pure chaos and energy, and Liam was right there in the thick of it. He also helped pen "Story of My Life," which remains one of the most respected songs in their catalog because of its acoustic, folk-leaning vibe. It was a huge departure from their bubblegum pop origins.
Essential One Direction tracks written by Liam:
- "History" – Basically the band's farewell letter to the fans.
- "What a Feeling" – Liam often cited this as one of his favorites. It has a heavy Fleetwood Mac influence that sounds way more sophisticated than your average boy band track.
- "Fireproof" – This was the song they gave away for free to announce their fourth album. It’s laid-back, harmonies-focused, and showed a massive growth in Liam’s writing style.
- "Better Than Words" – This one is actually super clever. The lyrics are almost entirely made up of titles of other famous songs.
- "No Control" – While Louis usually gets the credit for the fan-led project around this song, Liam was a key co-writer on this high-energy anthem.
He had this way of blending pop-rock with more soulful R&B elements, which eventually paved the way for his solo career.
Writing for other people
Kinda surprisingly, Liam didn’t just keep all the hits for himself or the band. He actually wrote for other artists too. Back in 2014, he co-penned a track called "I Won’t Break" for Cheryl's album Only Human. This was years before they were even a couple.
He also has credits on "The Night We Met" by the Irish boy band HomeTown and "How Does It Feel" by Tom Grennan. It shows that he had a "writer's ear" for different genres, not just the stuff he was performing. He even did remixes under the names "Big Payno" and "Payno," which allowed him to experiment with production in a way that didn't always fit the One Direction brand.
The Solo Years and LP1
When the band went on hiatus, everyone expected Liam to go full R&B. His debut solo single, "Strip That Down," was a massive hit, but here's a fun fact: Ed Sheeran actually co-wrote that one with him. Liam didn't just let Ed do all the work, though. He was very vocal about wanting his solo music to reflect his love for Usher and Justin Timberlake.
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On his solo album LP1, Liam has writing credits on several tracks, including "Trouble" and "Nobody Else." However, his final release before his passing, "Teardrops" (released in early 2024), was a big moment for him. He co-wrote it with JC Chasez from *NSYNC. Talk about a full-circle boy band moment. You can really hear the influence of that 90s/2000s R&B style he always loved.
Why his writing matters now
Looking back at the liam payne songs he wrote, it’s clear he was trying to build a legacy that lasted longer than just being a face on a poster. He once told The Sun that learning to write was the only way to ensure longevity and control over his career.
He wasn't always the loud one in the group, but his influence on the music was undeniable. From the pop-rock anthems of Four to the experimental sounds of Made in the A.M., his fingerprints are all over the songs that fans still stream millions of times a day.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians:
- Check the Credits: Use sites like ASCAP or BMI to look up the "Work ID" of your favorite songs. You'll often find Liam's name in places you didn't expect.
- Listen to "What a Feeling": If you want to hear the peak of his collaborative writing with Louis, this is the track. It shows a level of musicality that many critics ignored at the time.
- Study the "Lilo" Dynamic: For aspiring writers, the way Liam and Louis balanced each other—Louis with the lyrics and Liam with the melodic structure—is a great lesson in creative partnership.