“It’s Not About Zayn Obviously”: Louis Tomlinson Talks About New Song ‘Drag Me Down’

3 August 2015, 09:13 | Updated: 6 December 2018, 09:19

One Direction’s first new song without Zayn Malik is number one in 82 countries, but Louis confirmed the track is not about their former band member...

One Direction surprised us all on Friday (31st July) by dropping a brand new song 'Drag Me Down' during the Capital Breakfast show.

The new single is the first track since the departure of Zayn Malik back in March and will act as the lead single from the band's fifth studio album out later this year after getting it's very first play on Capital.

Within hours of its first play on Capital Harry, Liam, Louis and Niall's latest offering topped the iTunes chart in 82 countries around the world!

One Direction's New Album: What To Expect From Their Fifth Record

To celebrate the success of their latest release the boys gave the track its live debut during their 'On The Road Again' tour date in Indianapolis - a performance which proved the fans love the new music and know all the lyrics... already!

Listen to one direction's new song below...

Speaking to Capital's Dave Berry and Lisa Snowdon, Louis Tomlinson Louis Tomlinson spoke about the HUGE success of their new single - and confirmed the song is definitely NOT about their former bandmate, Zayn Malik.

When asked whether the song was about Zayn dragging the boys down, Louis joked, "Are you trying to look for some kind of controversial answer here? You’re not getting it! The song is not about that obviously.”

Well, that's cleared that up then! When asked about what it felt like to shoot to number one in 82 countries Louis told Capital, "[We're] obviously over the moon hearing stuff like that. We’ve been working really, really hard on this album and that single in particular so to have the reaction that it’s had? We can’t complain!"

Zayn also took to Twitter to congratulate the boys on their new song, tweeting:

Proud of my boys the new single is sick. Big love. :) x
— zayn (@zaynmalik) August 1, 2015

A source also told HollywoodLife, "Zayn actually thinks the song is pretty good...He had a brotherhood with all of them for so long and he knows they are super talented and actually really likes the song."

Download One Direction - 'Drag Me Down' On iTunes Here!

HEY GUYS! So, #DragMeDown dropped earlier! Check out what the guys had to say about it. https://t.co/Z2E32BMjn1
— One Direction (@onedirection) July 31, 2015

Fans took to Twitter during the songs first ever play on Capital and it's safe to safe it was a HUGE success.

@CapitalOfficial I THINK IM CRYING THIS IS SO PERFECT
— OTRA Toronto (@this_bandd) July 31, 2015

@CapitalOfficial #New1DOnCapital #DragMeDown #BuyDragMeDownOniTunes OMG IT SOOOOO FCKING PERFEct!! I just loooooooove it already
— TACH (@tatidamm) July 31, 2015

Chatting exclusively to Capital's Dave Berry & Lisa Snowdon recently Niall also told us, "Most of the album is written and a lot of it is recorded."

Louis also addressed the rumour that the rest of their new album would have an Oasis-esque sound, explaining, "I think that’s a big statement, that’s one way of getting one of the Gallaghers on your back!

"It’s definitely got a different sound, I feel like we say this every record, thinking we have a slightly different sound. Maybe we don’t but we feel like we’ve worked on just trying to keep it fresh and keep it interesting. We’ve worked really, really hard actually. More than ever we’ve felt the pressure for this record so fingers crossed."

Louis and fellow band members Harry, Liam and Niall have been mostly working on the new release in London and LA. Niall Horan also revealed that they'll have a studio truck going around them while on tour to "finish off some bits while they're on the road".

Earlier this year Liam Payne spoke to Capital Breakfast about the new release explaining, “The songs have been coming out a bit more chilled.

"We want this to be quite a long-lasting album that you can listen to anytime, like Ed’s album,” he added.

The news comes just days after former 1D star Zayn Malik officially announced his solo career revealing he had signed to RCA records - home to the likes of Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys.

If this new 1D track is anything to go by their brand new album is going to be just as frickin' awesome as the others! #BOOM

One Direction - 'Drag Me Down' Lyrics

I've got fire for a heart, I'm not scared of the dark
You've never seen it look so easy
I got a river for a soul and baby you're a boat
Baby, you're my only reason

If I didn't have you there would be nothing left
A shell of a man that could never be his best
If I didn't have you I'd never see the sun
You taught me how to be someone, yeah

All my life you stood by me when no one else was ever behind me
All these lights that can't blind me
With your love, nobody can drag me down
All my life you stood by me when no one else was ever behind me
All these lights that can't blind me
With your love, nobody can drag me down

Nobody, nobody
Can drag me down
Nobody, nobody
Can drag me down

I've got fire for a heart, I'm not scared of the dark
You've never seen it look so easy
I got a river for a soul and baby you're a boat
And baby you're my only reason

If I didn't have you there would be nothing left
A shell of a man who could never be his best
If I didn't have you I'd never see the sun
You taught me how to be someone, yeah

All my life you stood by me when no one else was ever behind me
All these lights that can't blind me
With your love, nobody can drag me down
But you're love, nobody can drag me down

Chorus 2x