Drag Me Down

This article is about the One Direction song. For The Boomtown Rats song, see In the Long Grass.
"Drag Me Down"
Single by One Direction
from the album Made in the A.M.
Released 31 July 2015[1]
Format
Genre
Label Syco
Writer(s)
Producer(s) Julian Bunetta
One Direction singles chronology
"Night Changes"
(2014)		 "Drag Me Down"
(2015)		 "Perfect"
(2015)
Music video
"Drag Me Down" on YouTube

"Drag Me Down" is a song recorded by English-Irish boy band One Direction for their fifth studio album, Made in the A.M. (2015).[4] The song was released worldwide on 31 July 2015 and marked the band's first single since Zayn Malik's departure in March 2015. "Drag Me Down" debuted atop the charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Austria, Australia, and New Zealand. It became the group's first number one single in France and Australia, as well as their fourth number one in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the fan-voted 'Best Video Award' at the 2016 Brit Awards.[5]

Background and release

"Drag Me Down" is marked as One Direction's first single since Zayn Malik's departure in March 2015.[6] The announcement of the release, with no previous promotion or marketing, was done by Liam Payne on his Twitter, followed by the rest of the members on 31 July 2015.[1]

Composition
'Drag Me Down'
An 18-second sample of "Drag Me Down"'s chorus, with Niall Horan singing the second half and Harry Styles singing the highest notes on an increasing tempo pop melody and beat.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Drag Me Down" is a midtempo pop rock track written by Julian Bunetta and John Ryan, who wrote and produced several songs on One Direction's previous two albums Midnight Memories (2013) and Four (2014).[7] According to Los Angeles Times's editor Mikael Wood, the production contains springy guitars that recall The Police or "Rude" by Magic!.[2][8] The song is written in C minor with a tempo of 138 beats per minute.[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Billboard [3]
Digital Spy [10]

Jason Lipshutz of Billboard gave the song three and a half out of five stars and commented "For those worried that a four-member incarnation of the group can't get the job done, "Drag Me Down" assuages those fears by keeping the overall quality level high".[3] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song three out of five stars review and stated that "Drag Me Down" is "one of their most pop-centric releases to date".[11] Past member Zayn Malik took to social media and praised the single, describing it as "sick" and stating that "he was proud of his boys."[12]

Music video

The video for "Drag Me Down" was directed by Ben and Gabe Turner and filmed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and premiered on Vevo on 21 August 2015. The video includes the band being put through their paces as though they are astronauts prepping for a space mission.[13] It won the fan-voted 'Best Video Award' at the 2016 Brit Awards[14] and as of November 2016, it has been viewed over 560 million times on YouTube.[15]

Live performances

One Direction gave their first performance of the song on their On the Road Again Tour in Indianapolis on 31 July 2015. The song was then performed live as part of a series of free summer concerts in New York City for Good Morning America on 4 August 2015.[16] The band also performed the song on several television programmes including The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[17] The Jonathan Ross Show[18] and Alan Carr: Chatty Man.[19]

Usage in media

An instrumental version of the song is heard in the television series Grey's Anatomy (season 13 episode 8).

Commercial performance

"Drag Me Down" sold 349,000 digital copies in the United States and had 17.7 million streams worldwide in its first week of release.[20] It broke the record on Spotify for most streamed track in one day, earning 4.75 million global streams.[21] The song also debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, the second-highest debut of the year, with 349,000 downloads sold in its first week (making it the group's third number-one hit on the Digital Songs chart and the boy band's best sales week for a song).[22][23]

Furthermore, the song topped the charts in twelve countries, including Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[24] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[25] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[27] 4
Brazil Billboard Hot 100[28] 97
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29] 4
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[30] 4
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[31] 1
Denmark (Tracklisten)[32] 5
Dominican Republic Anglo (Monitor Latino)[33] 10
Europe (Euro Digital Songs)[34] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[35] 3
France (SNEP)[36] 1
Germany (Official German Charts)[37] 10
Greece Digital Songs (Billboard)[38] 1
Hungary (Single Top 40)[39] 1
Ireland (IRMA)[40] 1
Italy (FIMI)[41] 4
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[42] 22
Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard)[43] 3
Mexico Anglo Chart (Monitor Latino)[44] 17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[45] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[46] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[47] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[48] 20
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[49] 5
Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard)[50] 1
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[51] 1
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[52] 18
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[53] 1
South Africa (EMA)[54] 2
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[55] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[56] 6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[57] 2
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[58] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[59] 3
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[60] 26
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[61] 17
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[62] 6

Year-end charts

Chart (2015) Position
Australia (ARIA)[63] 50
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[64] 52
Italy (FIMI)[65] 51
Poland (ZPAV)[66] 41
US Billboard Hot 100[67] 65

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[68] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Belgium (BEA)[69] Gold 15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[70] Gold 40,000^
Italy (FIMI)[71] Platinum 50,000double-dagger
Mexico (AMPROFON)[72] Gold 30,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[73] Platinum 0*
Poland (ZPAV)[74] 3× Platinum 60,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[75] Platinum 600,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[76] None 1,390,000^double-dagger

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2 Bradle, Lars (31 July 2015). "One Direction Shares First Track Without Zayn Malik, 'Drag Me Down'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 Spanos, Brittany. "One Direction Plot Post-Zayn Future With New Song 'Drag Me Down'". Rolling Stone Magazine. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Lipshutz, Jason (31 July 2015). "One Direction, 'Drag Me Down' Single Review: 1D Becomes Larger Than Life". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Goodman, Jessica (22 September 2015). "One Direction announce album name, Made In The A.M.". Entertainment Weekly. United States. Time Inc. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  5. ↑ "One Direction win Best Video at Brits in fans vote". ITV News. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  6. ↑ Anderson, Trevor (31 July 2015). "One Direction's 'Drag Me Down' Tops Trending 140 There are many fictional stories on Wattpad, describing fictionally how the members of this band wrote the album, Made in the Am, in every fictional way. For example, 'Another Whisper in the Wind' and 'I'd lie' ! Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "One Direction Releases Drag Me Down, Its First Single Since Zayn Malik Quit the Boy Band—Listen Now!". E! News. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  8. ↑ "Is One Direction's 'Drag Me Down' all too accurately titled?". Los Angeles Times. 3 August 2015.
  9. ↑ One Direction "Drag Me Down" Sheet Music musicnotes.com
  10. ↑ Corner, Lewis (22 July 2013). One Direction: 'Best Song Ever' – Single review. Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  11. ↑ Corner, Lewis (31 July 2015). "One Direction's new single 'Drag Me Down' first review – Signals a glossier output". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "Zayn Malik on One Direction's 'Drag Me Down': 'The New Single Is Sick'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  13. ↑ "One Direction Are Made of the Right Stuff in Their 'Drag Me Down' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  14. ↑ "One Direction win best video for Drag Me Down - but only Louis and Liam collect it as other members snub the Brits". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  15. ↑ "One Direction YouTube Statistics and History". kworb.net. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  16. ↑ "One Direction Delivers 'Drag Me Down' Debut TV Performance on 'Good Morning America'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  17. ↑ "One Direction Performs "Drag Me Down" On 'The Ellen Degeneres Show': Watch | Idolator". Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com. 2015-11-18. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  18. ↑ "The Jonathan Ross Show Episode 6". "ITV Press Centre". Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  19. ↑ "One Direction Drag Me Down Live on Alan Carr Chatty Man's Christmas". Lyrics Songs, Latest Music and Concert. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  20. ↑ Brandle, Lars (9 August 2015). "One Direction Earns First No. 1 Single in Australia With 'Drag Me Down'". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  21. ↑ Brandel, Lars (9 August 2015). "One Direction's 'Drag Me Down' Cruising to U.K. No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  22. ↑ Trust, Gary. "Can't Feel My Face" tops Hot 100, One Direction debuts at number 3". Billboard.
  23. ↑ "The Hot 100 - the week of August 29, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – One Direction – Drag Me Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – One Direction – Drag Me Down" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – One Direction – Drag Me Down" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  28. ↑ http://www.billboard.com.br/tipo_lista/top-100/#9
  29. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for One Direction. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  30. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201551 into search.
  31. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201532 into search.
  32. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down". Tracklisten. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Top 20 Ingles" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino.RadioNotas. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  34. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Euro Digital Songs for One Direction. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  35. ↑ "One Direction: Drag Me Down" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  36. ↑ "Lescharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  37. ↑ "Musicline.de – One Direction Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  38. ↑ "Digital Singles Charts – Greece". Billboard.
  39. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  40. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 32, 2015". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  41. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  42. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for One Direction. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  43. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Luxembourg Digital Songs for One Direction. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  44. ↑ "Top 20 Ingles" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. RadioNotas. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  45. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – One Direction search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – One Direction – Drag Me Down" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  47. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – One Direction – Drag Me Down". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  48. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down". VG-lista. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  49. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  50. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Portugal Digital Songs for One Direction. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  51. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2015-08-08". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  52. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201543 into search.
  53. ↑ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201532 into search.
  54. ↑ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2015-09-15". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  55. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  56. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  57. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – One Direction – Drag Me Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  58. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2015-08-08" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  59. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for One Direction. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  60. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for One Direction. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  61. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for One Direction. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  62. ↑ "One Direction – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for One Direction. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  63. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  64. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  65. ↑ "Classifiche "Top of the Music" 2015 FIMI-GfK: La musica italiana in vetta negli album e nei singoli digitali" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  66. ↑ "Airplay – podsumowanie 2015 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  67. ↑ "Hot 100: Year End 2015". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  68. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (26 September 2015). "ARIA Singles: Justin Bieber Maintains Top Spot After Four Weeks". Noise11. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  69. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2016". Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  70. ↑ "Canadian certifications – One Direction". Music Canada. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  71. ↑ "FIMI: One Direction - Drag Me Down single certification". FIMI. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  72. ↑ "Certificaciones –" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas.
  73. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  74. ↑ "Polish single certifications – One Direction – Drag Me Down" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  75. ↑ "British single certifications – One Direction – Drag Me Down". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 August 2016. Enter Drag Me Down in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  76. ↑ "American single certifications – One Direction – Drag Me Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 December 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
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