RIP Liam Payne: A Look Back At The Best Songs From His Solo Career

English singer Liam Payne skyrocketed to fame as part of the boy band One Direction. After the group went on hiatus in 2016, Payne embarked on a solo career, blending pop, R&B, and dance influences into his music. Over the years, the 31-year-old released one studio album, two EPs, and 14 singles. Tragically, Liam passed away on October 16 after reportedly falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. Here are some of the best songs he released as a solo artist.

STRIP THAT DOWN

Liam’s most popular solo songs include his debut single Strip That Down featuring American rapper Quavo. Released in May 2017, it features a sleek R&B and pop sound with a catchy beat. The English singer wrote the song with Ed Sheeran and was influenced by his desire to break free from his boy band image.

GET LOW

Get Low remains one of Liam’s standout EDM tracks. He produced it alongside the German DJ and record producer Zedd. The fun, danceable track, with tropical and electronic influences, is a perfect summer anthem. The song was released in July 2017.

BEDROOM FLOOR

Bedroom Floor was released in October 2017 as a part of Liam’s debut studio album, LP1. It is an R&B-influenced pop track with an emotional and vulnerable edge. Liam’s falsetto shines as he sings about a complicated relationship in this breakup song.

FOR YOU

A collaboration with Rita Ora, For You, was the lead single of the film Fifty Shades Freed’s soundtrack. Released in 2018, the song became a part of Rita’s second studio album, Phoenix and Liam’s debut studio album, LP1. The song was the singer’s other biggest hit since his debut as a solo artist.

FAMILIAR

Familiar became a standout track which showcased Liam’s versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres. The song, released in April 2018, was a collaboration with Colombian singer J Balvin. The song features a fusion of Latin beats and pop melodies.

POLAROID

The 31-year-old English singer teamed up with DJ and producer Jonas Blue and singer-songwriter Lennon Stella for this breezy, dance-pop track, released in 2018. The song proved Liam’s ability to create infectious hits once again. It revolves around the concept of finding love at first sight.

STACK IT UP

Stack It Up marked Liam’s return to the urban-pop genre, with which he began his career as a solo artist. Released in September 2019, the song featured rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Through a social media post, the English singer stated that the song is about “working hard, being inspired and achieving your dreams."

LIVE FOREVER

Live Forever, a collaboration with EDM trio Cheat Codes, blends emotional lyrics with an upbeat, festival-ready sound. The romantic soundtrack finds Payne singing about how “the person he loves makes him want to ‘live forever.'"

MIDNIGHT

Released in 2020, Midnight is a collaboration between Liam Payne and Swedish DJ and record producer Alesso. This track featured uplifting and emotional undertones and was a bonus track on Liam’s debut studio album.

HEART MEET BREAK

Heart Meet Break is the third and lesser-known song from his debut studio album, LP1.

The song is about dealing with heartbreak and rejection, with Payne delivering an emotional performance over a mid-tempo beat.