One Direction

Often described as forming part of a new "British Invasion" in the United States, One Direction have sold 14 million records, according to the band's management company, Modest! Management. Their achievements include two BRIT Awards and three MTV Video Music Awards. According to Nick Gatfield, the chairman and chief executive of Sony Music Entertainment UK, One Direction represented a $50 million business empire by June 2012. They were proclaimed 2012's "Top New Artist" by Billboard.

One Direction's new single, "Best Song Ever," may have thought it sounded like their best song ever growing up: the Who's "Baba O'Riley" from 1971.

Producer Julian Bunetta opened up to MTV News about the track and that sonic coincidence on Thursday, one day after it leaked prior to its official release on Monday. He said, "Well I mean it starts with a synth and 'Baba O'Riley' starts with a synth. I mean that's a huge compliment because if that can evoke that same excitement than that's amazing but that was not the... we weren't saying 'OK, let's rip off 'Baba O'Riley'.'"

So, if "Baba O'Riley" is not the best song ever that inspired the group's new single, just what was?

Well, Bunetta says that's a mystery, even to him. "That's the thing. Have you ever had a night when you were out and you were with friends and you were partying and you were dancing and you were at the height of your happiness and you woke up the next day and went 'That was so much fun... what was that song?' It's just kind of one of those [feelings]," he said. "The song is irrelevant. It's just kind of like at that moment, it's the right thing and it doesn't even matter, all elements added up to being a lasting memory."

The song, also produced by Ed Drewett, Wayne Hector and John Ryan, will get its first official radio play on Friday. On Monday, the video will be released. And, the guys have been tantalizing fans with teases for the Hollywood-themed "BSE" video. The latest, which dropped Thursday (July 18), features Harry Styles dolled up as La La Land marketing guru, Marcel.

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