The First Emperor
Liam Payne – Teardrops
Some artists entertain us.
Some inspire us.
And then there are those rare artists whose music quietly becomes part of our own story.
For this week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme, celebrating an artist born in August, my choice could only be Liam Payne.
Liam was born on 29 August 1993 in Wolverhampton, England. Arriving three weeks premature, he faced challenges from the very beginning. During his early childhood he spent a great deal of time in and out of hospital because one of his kidneys wasn’t functioning properly.
Yet even as a little boy, he loved to sing.
His first time performing on stage was when he was just four years old, and it was already clear that music was where his heart belonged.
As a teenager, Liam also excelled in athletics and considered pursuing sport instead of music. But life had another path waiting for him.
At fourteen, he auditioned for The X Factor. Although he impressed the judges, Simon Cowell encouraged him to return in two years.
Those years were not easy.
He was bullied at school and called “the reject.” To build confidence and learn to defend himself, he took up boxing.
In 2010 he returned to The X Factor, where he was brought together with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.
Together they became One Direction.
The band released five studio albums, completed four world tours, and became one of the biggest pop groups of their generation.
Liam also proved himself as a songwriter, co-writing 34 of the band’s songs.
When the group went on hiatus in 2016, each member followed his own path.
Liam later spoke openly about the struggles that came with fame. He described living with anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and depression, and shared how the intense pressures of life in One Direction affected his mental health.
Despite those challenges, he kept creating.
In 2017 he became the proud father of Bear. Liam often spoke about how becoming a dad changed his life and motivated him to give up alcohol so he could be the father his son deserved.
His first solo album, LP1, was released on 6 December 2019.
Then the world changed.
During the COVID lockdowns, Liam’s livestreams became something many of us looked forward to. Through his LP Shows, he created a space where people could laugh, sing, and feel a little less alone during uncertain times.
I was one of those people.
I’ve followed Liam since 2010, and over the years his music, humour, kindness, and honesty became a constant source of inspiration.
In March 2024 he released Teardrops, giving fans a glimpse of the next chapter of his musical journey.
Tragically, that chapter was cut short.
Liam died in Argentina on 16 October 2024 at the age of 31. Investigations in Argentina and the UK inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death have continued, and many questions remain unanswered.
For me, Liam will always be remembered not only as a gifted singer and songwriter, but as someone who never stopped trying to grow, to be honest about his struggles, and to bring comfort to others through music.
Some voices fade.
Others echo long after the music stops.
Liam’s is one of them.
Forever 31.
Teardrops are falling
Down your face again, ’cause
I Don’t know how to love you when
I am broken too
Maybe your words make sense I could be the problem, I’m so sorry I know we could just be friends
But I don’t know when we come down from this softly
Checking on my phone, tryna see what I did last night
Baby, I’m hating on myself ’cause I hate it when I make you cry
Teardrops are falling Down your face again, ’cause I Don’t know how to love you when I am broken too
Teardrops are falling I’ll make you love me again, but I Don’t know how to love you when I am broken too
All we do is break and bend I’m struggling to see the sunrise lately Really wish that I could mend
All the little things that make you crazy
Checking all my friends, tryna to see what I did last night Lately, I’m hating on myself ’cause I hate it when I make you cry
Teardrops are falling Down your face again ’cause I Don’t know how to love you when I am broken too
Teardrops are falling
I’ll make you love me again, I swear
I’m gonna learn how to be a better man
Tell me, is there
Any room to love you
Any room to hold you
Any room to love you
Any room to hold you
Any room to love you (love you)
Any room to hold you?
Checking on my phone just to see what I did last night Ooh, I’m hating on myself ’cause I hate it when I make you cry
Oh, teardrops are falling
Down your face again ’cause I Don’t know how to love you when I am broken too
Teardrops are falling
I’ll make you love me again but I Don’t know how to love you when
I am broken too
Source: MusixmatchSongwriters: Jamie Scott / Liam Payne / Daniel Bryer / Michael Needle / J C Chasez
This is the acoustic version :
This is my absolute favourite from One Direction ❤️🎶
With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,
— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫
My new album “Beneath The Northern Star ” is out You can play and save the songs on your streaming platforms here:
🌙 Beneath the Northern Stars – My New Album
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