List of songs written by Louis Tomlinson

English singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson has writing credits on over 90 songs,[1] seven of which have appeared in the top 10 of the UK singles chart.[a] He has written tracks on both of his studio albums, Walls (2020) and Faith in the Future (2022), and for his former band One Direction.[1]
After co-writing songs on the One Direction albums Up All Night (2011) and Take Me Home (2012),[1] Tomlinson became more prominent as a writer for Midnight Memories (2013). He has credits on 9 tracks out of the 14 on the standard edition and 3 of 4 in the deluxe version.[4][5] "Story of My Life", the album's second single, peaked at number 2 on the UK singles chart[6] and sold over 3 million copies in the United States.[7] "Diana" topped iTunes charts worldwide upon release and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8][9]
For the album Four (2014), Tomlinson co-wrote the lead single "Steal My Girl", which peaked at number 3 on the UK singles chart.[10] He was a principal writer of "No Control", which became the subject of a fan campaign to be released as a single and to reach number 1 on the UK single charts.[11][12] Fans started the campaign to show support for Tomlinson after a feud with producer Naughty Boy on Twitter,[11] with the song being chosen because Tomlinson was a primary writer alongside band member Liam Payne.[12] "Night Changes" was written by Tomlinson with all four other original band members, as well as Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta, and John Ryan.[13] Following Payne's death in October 2024, the song, along with the rest of One Direction's discography, experienced a surge in streams.[14] The song eventually peaked at number 6 on the UK singles chart.[15] Tomlinson has writing credits on more than half of the tracks on the group's final album Made in the A.M. (2015), including "Perfect", "What a Feeling", "Love You Goodbye", and "History".[16] "History" was the band's final single before going on an indefinite hiatus.[17]
Tomlinson co-wrote his first solo single "Just Hold On" with Steve Aoki, Eric Rosse, Sasha Alex Sloan, and Nolan Lambroza.[18][19] The song peaked at number 2 on the UK singles chart, becoming Tomlinson's highest-charting song as of August 2025.[2] "Back to You", his second solo single,[20] was also co-written by him and peaked at number 8 on the UK singles chart.[21] Tomlinson has credits on every track from both his debut studio album[22] and his second studio album,[23] the latter of which debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[24] Other than One Direction and himself, Tomlinson co-wrote "Changes" by musician Blackbear from his 2019 album Anonymous,[25][26] "Love Shot" by Chinese-South Korean boy band Exo from their 2018 album Don't Mess Up My Tempo,[27][28] and the 2023 single "POS" by musician Sueco.[29][30]
Of the band members, Tomlinson has the most writing credits for One Direction's discography.[31][32][33] He has said that this made him feel "ownership" in his career for the first time, adding that within the first two and a half years of the band, he felt as though he lacked influence.[31] He and Payne are considered the main songwriters for One Direction, with Payne having the second-most credits.[34] Critics for several publications have praised Tomlinson's songwriting, including Rania Aniftos for Billboard,[35] Alex Hopper for American Songwriter,[34] Brian Mansfield for USA Today,[36] and Alim Kheraj for The Guardian.[37]
Songs
| † | Indicates single release |
| # | Indicates promotional single release |
See also
Notes
- ^ As a solo artist:
- "Just Hold On" and "Back to You"[2]
- "Story of My Life", "Steal My Girl", "Night Changes", "Perfect", and "History"[3]
- ^ Released as track 2 on the "Bigger Than Me" CD single[76]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Louis William Tomlinson". Broadcast Music, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Louis Tomlinson". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "One Direction". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Midnight Memories (Media notes). One Direction. Columbia Records / Syco Music. 2013.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Midnight Memories (Deluxe Edition)". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart: 8 December 2013 - 14 December 2013". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Story of My Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 25 April 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "One Direction get hit with Diana". Irish Independent. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Week of December 7, 2013". Billboard Hot 100. Archived from the original on 5 May 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart: 19 October 2014 - 25 October 2014". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Why One Direction fans want No Control as a single". BBC News. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b Corner, Lewis (14 May 2015). "Why are One Direction fans trying to get 'No Control' to No.1?". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Four (Media notes). One Direction. Columbia Records / Syco Music. 2014.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "All five One Direction albums back in UK top 40 after death of Liam Payne". Sky News. 25 October 2024. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 October 2024 - 31 October 2024". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Made in the A.M. (Media notes). One Direction. Columbia Records / Syco Music. 2015.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Roth, Madeline (13 November 2015). "One Direction's 'History' Is The Perfect Goodbye To Their Fans". MTV News. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Just Hold On". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ a b Iasimone, Ashley (10 December 2016). "Louis Tomlinson & Steve Aoki Premiere 'Just Hold On' on 'The X Factor UK': Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Louis Tomlinson reveals details of new single, Back to You". BBC News. 21 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart: 18 August 2017 - 24 August 2017". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 20 February 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Walls (Media notes). Louis Tomlinson. Arista / Syco. 2020.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Faith in the Future (Media notes). Louis Tomlinson. BMG. 2022.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Official Albums Chart: 18 November 2022 - 24 November 2022". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Changes". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "ANONYMOUS". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Love Shot". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b Melendez, Monique (26 December 2018). "EXO's 'Love Shot' Album: The Producers & Songwriters Break Down Every Song". Billboard. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "POS". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "POS - Single". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b Aniftos, Rania (14 March 2023). "Louis Tomlinson Says He's 'Proud' of Having the Most One Direction Writing Credits: 'That Makes Me Feel Important to the Band'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Graye, Megan (15 March 2023). "Louis Tomlinson says having the most writing credits in One Direction made him feel 'important'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Savage, Mark (17 September 2022). "Louis Tomlinson: Will Radio Stations Play My Songs Again? I Have No Idea". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ a b Hopper, Alex (18 October 2024). "Behind the Duo: How Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson Became the Songwriting Force in One Direction". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (3 September 2024). "Why Louis Tomlinson Is One Direction's Unsung Solo Star". Billboard. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Robinson, KiMi (17 October 2024). "Liam Payne Was a Prolific One Direction Songwriter: Discover His Most Underrated Songs". USA Today. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ Kheraj, Alim (11 November 2022). "Louis Tomlinson: Faith in the Future Review – ex-One Direction Star Gets Lost in a Sea of Influences". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ^ "A.M." American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ Strecker, Erin (12 October 2015). "Check Out One Direction's 'Made In the A.M.' Tracklist". Billboard. Archived from the original on 23 April 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Adeline". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Alive". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "All This Time". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Take Me Home (Media notes). One Direction. Columbia Records / Syco Music. 2012.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Back To You". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (31 August 2022). "Louis Tomlinson's New Single 'Bigger Than Me' Is Coming Very, Very Soon". Billboard. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Can We Talk?". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Faith in the Future (Digital Deluxe Bonus Edition)". Louis Tomlinson. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Louis Tomlinson – Faith in the Future (Target Exclusive, CD)". Target Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Der Allererste Kuss (The Very First Kiss)". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Don't Forget to Remember Me". GEMA Repertoire. GEMA (German organization). GEMA Work #12390634-002.
- ^ Sinha, Charu (23 November 2019). "Louis Tomlinson Moves in a New Direction on 'Don't Let It Break Your Heart'". Vulture. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Up All Night (Media notes). One Direction. Columbia Records / Syco Music. 2011.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Lipshutz, Jason (14 November 2014). "One Direction Dominates Trending 140 with New Song 'Fool's Gold'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Halfway Home". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ Wang, Lucy (6 November 2015). "One Direction Drops New Single 'History,' Featuring Fans in the Chorus". Time. Archived from the original on 7 November 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Home". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "In N Out". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Just Like You". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ Armstrong, Megan (12 October 2017). "Louis Tomlinson Feels Your Pain in Surprise Song 'Just Like You': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Keep Rolling". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Rowley, Glenn (5 September 2019). "Louis Tomlinson Brings New Rock-Tinged Sound On 'Kill My Mind': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Lemonade". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 28 September 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (30 September 2025). "Louis Tomlinson Sets Third Solo Album for January 2026: Hear Lead Single 'Lemonade'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 October 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Love and Devotion". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Renshaw, David (11 November 2015). "One Direction reveal 'most personal' song 'Love You Goodbye' – listen". NME. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (31 January 2014). "One Direction Makes Some Crazy 'Midnight Memories' In New Video: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Miss You". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Louis Tomlinson's fear of swearing in front of the Royal Family". BBC Radio. 4 December 2017. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Muse". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Dunham, Jess (21 November 2014). "One Direction 'Night Changes' music video: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and co go all soppy on us for Christmas". The Independent. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Palaces". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Paradise". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Vain, Madison (9 October 2015). "One Direction Reveals New Single, 'Perfect'". Time. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Pick Your Poison". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Louis Tomlinson". Broadcast Music, Inc. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Bigger Than Me CD Single". Louis Tomlinson. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Saved By A Stranger". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Secret Heart". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Some Guitar". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b Payne, Chris (25 November 2013). "One Direction, 'Midnight Memories': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Take It Back". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Rosney, Daniel (7 March 2019). "Louis Tomlinson: New song Two Of Us helped me grieve for mum". BBC News. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ Weatherby, Taylor (24 October 2019). "How Louis Tomlinson Combined His Love Story With a Thank-You to Fans on New Single 'We Made It'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 January 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Why So Cold". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.