One Direction managed to score a total of 8 hits in the Top 40. Today in 2013, the British boy band started work on their third, One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks).

In 2010, five boys took part in the seventh season of X Factor. Neither of them managed to advance as a solo artist, but Simon Cowell decided to gather the boys to form a group. After two weeks of practice, One Direction was born. Harry Styles is the creator of the band’s name.

In early 2011, recording of the first album began, with RedOne hired as producer. Later that year, What Makes You Beautiful became the group’s first hit. The Netherlands only stepped in with Live While We’re Young, the first single from the second album. But big success would only come with One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks). It would be One Direction’s first and only top 10 hit. The song will be released on 17 February 2013 and was created for Comic Relief’s annual fundraising campaign. The clip for the song is also special with the role of then British Prime Minister David Cameron. The song was a number 1 hit in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, where it reached number 8 in the Top 40.

The group will appear on stage for the last time on December 31 2015. Following Zayn’s departure, the four remaining members decided to take a break. This was originally supposed to last 18 months, but in reality there has been a deafening silence around One Direction for years.

Chris Martin (1977) and James Arthur (1988) also have birthdays today.

Hit number 1 on March 2:
2002: ANYTIME ANYWHERE – Shakira
2013: GIVE ME EASON- P!nk featuring Nate Ruess
2019: SHE’S MINE – Kris Kross Amsterdam & Maan & Tabitha feat. Bizzey

(02/03/2023)