What a Feeling (One Direction song) explained

What a Feeling
Type:Promotional single
Artist:One Direction
Album:Made in the A.M.
Released:11 November 2015
Recorded:2015
Genre:Alternative rock[1]
Label:Syco
Producer:Jamie Scott

"What a Feeling" is a song recorded by English-Irish boy band One Direction for their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M. (2015). The song was released as the album's second promotional single on iTunes Store and Spotify on 11 November 2015.[2] [3]

Background

Tomlinson stated that "What a Feeling" is "one of the songs that just does give you kind of a completely different flavor to maybe what you're used to... the whole feel of the song is 'feel good'."[4] Payne also added that it was one of his favorites from Made in the A.M.[5] He later told the fans on an Instagram live video that the song was made to be played in a stadium.

Fans of the band held a so-called streaming party on October 25, 2020, where they all listened to the track during the whole day. The goal was to get the song on the top 100 charts.[6] Thanks to it, the song got over 50 million streams on that day alone.

Composition

It was written and produced by Jamie Scott and co-written by band members Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson along with Daniel Bryer and Mike Needle.[5] According to Tomlinson, the track has a "Fleetwood Mac influence."[7] The song has been described as funk and upbeat.[8]

Reception

While writing for Billboard, Erin Strecker described the song as having "a sweetly thumping bass line and light harmonies," and added, "the tune would feel perfectly at home in the easy, breezy '70s."[9] Hardeep Phull of New York Post stated that the track "blends Fleetwood Mac-style harmonies with a silky smooth, '80s pop sheen."[10] Maggie Malach of Bustle felt that the lyrics were "all over the place, but it's still all sorts of fantastic." She also added, "the hazy vibe of the song more than makes up for it."[4] In Rolling Stone's special Reader's Poll, "What a Feeling" topped #1 as one of the best songs One Direction ever released.[11]

Notes and References

  1. What a Coincidence: Justin Bieber and One Direction Both Have New Songs About Feelings. Teen Vogue. Ella Ceron. 11 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  2. Web site: One Direction Channel Fleetwood Mac In 'What A Feeling'. https://web.archive.org/web/20231122023354/https://www.mtv.com/news/jyxdwp/one-direction-what-a-feeling. dead. November 22, 2023. MTV. Emilee Lindner. 11 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Pehanick. Maggie. Listen to One Direction's Retro New Song, "What a Feeling". PopSugar. 11 November 2015. 23 June 2016.
  4. 1D's "What A Feeling" Is Dreamy Perfection. Bustle. Maggie Malach. 11 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  5. Hear One Direction's Plaintive New Song 'What a Feeling'. Rolling Stone. Kory Grow. 11 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  6. Web site: One Direction fans start campaign to get What a Feeling to Number 1. Popbuzz. Sam Prance. 5 October 2020. 4 April 2024.
  7. Web site: One Direction 'Made In The A.M.' Album Review: Their Most Diverse Album Yet. Hollywood Life. Shira Benozilio. 13 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151115005729/https://hollywoodlife.com/2015/11/13/made-in-the-am-album-review-one-direction-new-songs/. 15 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  8. One Direction Channel Their Inner Fleetwood Mac on 'What a Feeling'. Spin. Brennan Carley. 11 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  9. Strecker. Erin. Listen to One Direction's Breezy New Song 'What A Feeling'. Billboard. 11 November 2015. 23 June 2016.
  10. Web site: The new One Direction album doesn't suck. New York Post. Hardeep Phull. 13 November 2015. 4 April 2024.
  11. Spannos. Brittany. Readers' Poll: The 10 Best One Direction Songs. Rolling Stone. 23 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20151212031026/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/readers-poll-the-10-best-one-direction-songs-20151125. 12 December 2015. 25 November 2015.
  12. Web site: ARIA Singles: Adele 'Hello' Stays at No 1 For 4th Week . Noise11 . Ryan . Gavin . 21 November 2015 . 21 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151122013610/http://www.noise11.com/news/music-news-aria-singles-adele-hello-stays-at-no-1-for-4th-week-20151121 . 22 November 2015 . live .