Rating: 7.5/10
One Direction’s sophomore album, while still struggling with issues of being a little generic, has some truly great songs on it, and it displays wiser and maturer lyrics. This album is beloved by the fanbase, and I can see why, because some of the best songs in their entire discography live on this album.
In this post I’ll be ranking all the songs from One Direction’s second studio album, Take Me Home, from worst to best. This ranking is based on my personal enjoyment and connection to the songs, so sorry if I put your favorite at the bottom.
Also quick disclaimer: If I were to put Magic, Truly Madly Deeply, and Irresistible in this ranking, they would all be towards the top of the list. THOSE ARE SOME TRUE BANGERS.
17. Change My Mind (Track 8)
I’m sorry, I just don’t like it. The guitar in the beginning is nice, but after listening to this album in full several times, I just don’t vibe with it like I do with most of the other songs.
16. I Would (Track 9)
It’s not awful, but lyrically there’s basically no depth to it, and it feels like any bubblegum pop song. Plus, the spelling of L-O-V-E in the chorus kind of makes me want to die (I’m so sorry).
15. Loved You First (Track 15)
If the whole song sounded like the verses I would actually like it a lot more, but the heavy production in the chorus makes me more or less indifferent to this song. I also think that unrequited love is such a heavy topic that could’ve been used for some great lyricism, but the lyrics in this song feel like all the other ‘I Want You But I Can’t Have You’ songs on this album.
14. Last First Kiss (Track 5)
The verses and pre-chorus sound really lovely in this song, and if the whole song sounded like them then I would really like it. The chorus isn’t bad, but it’s a lot harsher than the stripped-back verses, and I wish the whole song was stripped-back. IT WOULD SOUND SO GOOD ACOUSTIC.
13. Still the One (Track 17)
This song is really catchy and fun, and the drums/guitar are really cool. There’s not much to say about this song, really. The lyrics aren’t all that unique or meaningful, but it’s infectious and high-energy, so it gets a pass. Also, Niall’s solo is awesome.
12. Heart Attack (Track 6)
This is a nice upbeat song, and the chorus is really fun to sing along to, but it’s not the most interesting to me. It just kind of blends in with some of the other songs a bit.
11. She’s Not Afraid (Track 14)
When I first read the title I thought this song was going to be about a really courageous and inspiring woman, so I was excited. It’s not exactly that type of song, but it’s not bad. I know I say this all the time, but the pre-chorus is my favorite part of the song. The chorus is also pretty cool. I really like the guitar in the verses. Overall, this song is just a bop. It’s not deep, but it’s still good.
10. Kiss You (Track 2)
Kiss You is a song that I used to actually dislike. Like, I really didn’t understand why everyone was so crazy about it. Upon lots of relistening, I can now see the appeal. It’s catchy in the most annoying but genuine way, and it’s just fun to listen to. Plus, the music video is amazing. Like, that music video is probably in my top 3 1D music videos ever. This is a rare song on the album where I actually like the chorus better than the verses. The chorus is pretty catchy (though the hook is not my favorite), but the weird riff at the beginning of the verses gives me nightmares. The bridge is really awesome, though.
9. Live While We’re Young (Track 1)
Originally, I wasn’t a huge fan of this song, but it’s grown on me. While it doesn’t even come close to surpassing it’s Up All Night counterpart, What Makes You Beautiful, it’s still worthy of respect as a teenage recklessness anthem. Additionally, the opening guitar riff is almost identical (I don’t want to call it a ripoff) of The Clash’s ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’, so it gets brownie points for that.
8. Nobody Compares (Track 16)
This is definitely the best of the bonus tracks, and I wish it would’ve been included in the original track list, because it’s miles better than some of the original tracks. The chorus sounds really nice, and the opening guitar is pretty fun. It’s a pretty standard pop song, but as far as standard pop songs go, it’s pretty dang good.
7. They Don’t Know About Us (Track 12)
I don’t know what it is about this song, but it just gives me good vibes. I probably have it ranked too high, but between the delicate piano at the beginning and the great vocals (seriously, all the boys, especially Harry and Zayn, sound so good here) there’s a lot to love about this song. I dare you to listen to this song and not sing along. “Just one touch and I was a believer. Every kiss, it gets a little sweeter. It’s getting better, keeps getting better all the time, girl.”
6. Back For You (Track 11)
And we’ve reached my favorites from the album! The chorus of this song slaps, and I really wish I could’ve seen this song performed live. I don’t know what to say, but it’s just a nice song. I also like to think that this song is their way of saying they’ll come back for us (meaning they’ll reunite eventually). It’s just a straight bop. What else can I say?
5. Little Things (Track 3)
I used to find this song cringey (I guess I couldn’t help but feel that it was a little disingenuous), but I’m now able to look at it through a less-cynical lens, and I can appreciate it for how sweet it is. It’s basically the boys saying that no one is going to be absolutely perfect, and someone’s flaws usually end up being their most endearing qualities. Sonically, it’s beautiful. I know I said earlier that I really wanted an acoustic song on the album, and this is it. Little Things is a very sweet and simple song, and the boys all sound lovely (Louis’ solo is everything). “You can’t go to bed without a cup of tea, maybe that’s the reason that you talk in your sleep. And all those conversations are the secrets that I keep, though it makes no sense to me.“
4. C’mon, C’mon (Track 4)
I don’t even know why I like this song so much, it’s not that good objectively, but it’s such a bop. The boys sound so good, and the hook is irresistible. Plus, the bridge is amazing. It’s like the more I listen to this song the more I like it. In summation: this song is a bop and a half.
3. Rock Me (Track 7)
Okay, the lyrics are pretty scandalous for an early-years One Direction song, but putting aside the fact that I’ll never be able to listen to it in the car with my parents, Rock Me is a banger to end all bangers. This is the closest we get to a rock song on the album, and I think it’s done really well. This song is a bombastic anthem, and a great summer song. I think it’s a scientific fact that you cannot listen to this song without headbanging at least once to the chorus.
2. Over Again (Track 10)
“If you’re pretending from the start, like this, with a tight grip, then my kiss can mend your broken heart. I might miss everything you said to me. And I can lend you broken parts that might fit, like this, and I will give you all my heart so we can start it all over again.” Over Again and my top choice are pretty much tied in my mind. This song is so fricking iconic. Like, as far as non-single 1D songs go, this is probably one of the most beloved. The live performances of this song are unmatched, and I would kill to be able to see one. This song stands out because of how emotional it feels, and the harmonies in the chorus are actually stunning. The lyrics are sad but not depressing, and the boys do a great job of capturing and selling the essence of the song. Overall, this is a really beautiful song, both sonically and lyrically, and I feel like it’s impossible not to like it. “You’ll never know how to make it on your own, and you’ll never show weakness for letting go. I guess it’s still hard if the seed’s sown, but do you really want to be alone?“
1. Summer Love (Track 13)
“Don’t promise that you’re gonna write, don’t promise that you’ll call. Just promise that you won’t forget we had it all.” The original track list’s closer is honestly a perfect conclusion to the album. Soft, gentle, and a little bittersweet, it ties up Take Me Home‘s themes very well. I had low expectations for this song because I had seen people online saying that they didn’t like it, so it came as a shock to me when I found myself in love with it. I know I’ve been saying this on a lot of the songs, but the boys sound so good here (they also have a writing credit, so it makes me happy to know that they had a part in creating such a beautiful song). I really love Harry’s verse, and the bridge is great as well. I also like how Niall gets to shine the chorus. I don’t really know what else to say; this song just strikes a chord with me for some reason. It’s very beautiful, and weirdly soothing and nostalgic. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorites from 1D. “Don’t say the word that’s on your lips, don’t look at me that way. Just promise you’ll remember when the sky is gray. ‘Cause you were mine for the summer, now we know it’s nearly over. Feels like snow in September but I always will remember you were my summer love. You always will be my summer love. So please don’t make this any harder, we can’t take this any farther. And I know there’s nothing that I wanna change…”
Anna's Music World 