| "Night Changes" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by One Direction | ||||
| from the album Four | ||||
| Released | 14 November 2014[1] | |||
| Recorded | 2014 | |||
| Length | 3:47 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
| |||
| One Direction singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Night Changes" on YouTube | ||||
"Night Changes" is a song recorded by British-Irish boy band One Direction. It was written by the band alongside Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta, and John Ryan, while the production was handled by Bunetta and Ryan. The song was released on 14 November 2014 as the second and final single from their fourth studio album Four. It also marked their last single with member Zayn Malik.
Background and release
"Night Changes" was revealed as the album's second single in an interview with radio host Scott Mills.[2] The track was released on 14 November 2014, three days before the album's release.[3]
Composition and lyrics
Developing on the themes of "Live While We're Young" and "Story of My Life", the song explores the rapid passage of time, seizing the moment in life, and gaining love along the way. The harmonies in the chorus, backed by rounds of "Oohs", give the song added depth and a "big contemplative feel."[4] The song runs for 3 minutes and 47 seconds and begins in the key of A♭ major; 2 minutes and 28 seconds into the song, the key changes to B♭ major.
Music video
The official music video was released on 21 November 2014 and directed by Ben Winston.[5] This was One Direction's last video with Zayn Malik, as he departed from the band on 25 March 2015. Liam Payne's real-life girlfriend Sophia Smith was involved in the shoot, but did not appear on-screen.[6]
The video is a point of view of going on a date with all 5 members of One Direction. The five dates take place in five different locations: a date with Zayn Malik at a restaurant (which he appears to own as he greets some chefs and introduces his date to a waiter), a drive with Louis Tomlinson in his vintage car, a night in playing Monopoly and Jenga with Niall Horan at his house next to a fireplace, ice skating with Harry Styles and at a funfair with Liam Payne.[7]
As their dates progress, things end up going horribly wrong for all 5 members. Zayn's date's ex-boyfriend comes in, yells at her, then dumps water and spaghetti on Zayn, which prompts the date to leave Zayn as he looks on in disbelief.[8] Harry spots another couple doing a very complicated trick on the ice rink and attempts to do it with his date, causing both of them to fall and get injured. Liam takes his date on the Waltzer at the funfair, but becomes nauseated while on the ride and proceeds to vomit in his date's hat as they exit. Niall tends to his fireplace, but the sleeve of his shirt catches fire and he grabs a towel to put out the fire, which accidentally tips over a jug that spills the contents on his date's dress. Louis gets pulled over by the police presumably for speeding and tries to joke with the policeman to impress his date, which results in him getting arrested, and the date watches as Louis is driven away from her in the back of the police car.[7][9]
Commercial performance
A moderate commercial success, the track is one of the band's most critically acclaimed, receiving praise for contemplating the fleeting nature of life with depth and maturity. As of October 2024, "Night Changes" is the most-streamed song by the band on Spotify, with over 2 billion streams.
Following the death of Liam Payne in October 2024, the song saw a surge in sales and streams, rising to 6th place on Spotify's daily global song chart,[10] and the Official Charts Company showed "Night Changes" place at number 16 on the UK Midweek Singles Chart.[11] It re-entered the UK Singles Chart Top 100, on 25 October 2024, at a new peak of number 6.[12]
Track listing
- Digital EP[13]
- "Night Changes" (Afterhrs Remix) – 3:40
- "Night Changes" (live acoustic session) – 3:40
- "Steal My Girl" (live acoustic session) – 3:46
- CD single
- "Night Changes" (Afterhrs Remix) – 3:40
- "Night Changes" (live acoustic session) – 3:40
- Music Video
- "Night Changes" - 4:00
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[62] | 6× Platinum | 420,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[63] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[64] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| Germany (BVMI)[65] | Gold | 300,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[66] | Platinum | 100,000‡ |
| Mexico (AMPROFON)[67] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[68] | 4× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
| Spain (Promusicae)[69] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[70] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[72] | Platinum | 1,010,000[71] |
| Streaming | ||
| Greece (IFPI Greece)[41] | Platinum | 2,000,000† |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Peters, Mitchell (16 November 2014). "One Direction Performs New Single 'Night Changes'". Billboard. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ "One Direction Songwriter Reveals The Story Behind Their Next Single, 'Night Changes'". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014.
- ^ "One Direction Performs New Single 'Night Changes' - Billboard". Billboard.
- ^ "One Direction "Night Changes" Review: "Steal My Girl" Follow Up Gets Contemplative Ahead of 'FOUR' Release [LISTEN]". Music Times. 14 November 2014.
- ^ "One Direction - Night Changes". YouTube. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ Linds Foley. "Liam Payne's mystery date in One Direction's 'Night Changes' music video is revealed to be girlfriend Sophia Smith?". Sugarscape.
- ^ a b "Watch One Direction Seduce The Viewer in Their 'Night Changes' Video - Billboard". Billboard.
- ^ "One Direction releases new music video 'Night Changes'". NY Daily News. 21 November 2014.
- ^ "One Direction Takes You on Five Dates in Night Changes Music Video—Watch It Now! - E! Online". E! Online. 21 November 2014.
- ^ Murray, Connor (18 October 2024). "One Direction Hits No. 2 Artist On Global Spotify Chart After Liam Payne's Death". Forbes. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ Griffiths, George (20 October 2024). "One Direction songs set to re-enter Official Singles Chart following Liam Payne's death". Official Charts. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 on 25/10/2024 25 October 2024 - 31 October 2024". Official Charts. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Night Changes - One Direction". iTunes Store (GB). Apple. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ a b "One Direction – Night Changes" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ a b "One Direction Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Singles Digital – Top 100 – 3. týden 2015" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 51, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "Classifica settiminale WK 3 (12/01/2015 - 18/01/2015)". FIMI. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Mexico Ingles Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20154 into search. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 20155 into search. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ^ a b "One Direction – Night Changes". Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ a b "One Direction – Night Changes". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 20/12/2014 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 43, 2024". Hitlisten. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 43/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 November 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 28th October 2024 | Week 43 of 52". IMIcharts. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "ASIRI Top 50 Mixed Chart minggu ke – 51 2024" [ASIRI TOP 50 Mixed Chart Week of 51, 2024.] (in Indonesian). ASIRI. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Indonesia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart on 25/10/2024 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 43 (18/10/2024-24/10/2024)". RIM. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Singel 2024 uke 43". VG-lista. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ "One Direction Chart History (Philippines Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "One Direction – Night Changes". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 43 (18 - 24 Oct 2024)". RIAS. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 43". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 25/10/2024 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Digital Song Sales: Week of November 2, 2024". Billboard. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "Hot 100: Year End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Pop Songs - Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ^ "IMI International Top 20 Singles Annual Chart 2024". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on 13 February 2025.
- ^ "Philippines Hot 100 – Year of 2024". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes". Music Canada. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (One Direction; 'Night Changes')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 7 October 2020. Type One Direction in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Night Changes in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes". Radioscope. Retrieved 10 November 2024. Type Night Changes in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 October 2024. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Night Changes One Direction in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "Billboard: One Direction's Career Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – One Direction – Night Changes". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Video albums | |
| EPs | |
| Singles | |
| Promotional singles |
|
| Other songs |
|
| Concert tours | |
| TV and film | |
| Related | |
- 2014 songs
- 2014 singles
- One Direction songs
- Syco Music singles
- Columbia Records singles
- Pop ballads
- Songs about nights
- Songs written by Julian Bunetta
- Songs written by Jamie Scott
- Songs written by John Ryan (musician)
- Songs written by Louis Tomlinson
- Songs written by Niall Horan
- Songs written by Zayn Malik
- Songs written by Harry Styles
- Songs written by Liam Payne
- 2010s ballads
- Song recordings produced by John Ryan (songwriter)
- Songs about romance
