Great Debate: Big Time Rush vs. One Direction
It’s been a semester-long debate between The Spectator’s managing editor and editor in chief, but which band is better?
More stories from Emilee Wentland
May 1, 2019
More stories from Nicole Bellford
Big Time Rush
When I was 15, I had a Twitter account called @BTRisAMAZINGGGGG dedicated to Big Time Rush. Five G’s. That’s how amazing they are.
Big Time Rush, commonly known as BTR, was created by producer Scott Fellows for a Nickelodeon television show of the same name. The show debuted on Nov. 28, 2009 and ran for four seasons. In that time, they recorded three albums, filmed a Christmas TV movie with Snoop Dogg and, ultimately, taught us that modern boy bands can actually sing and dance live.
As a boy band, BTR performed flawless harmonies and choreography live in concert. Even in the modern era, the band kept the boy band tradition of semi-matching outfits on stage and in-sync dance moves.
In 2012, BTR began their “Better with U Tour” where, on the North American leg, One Direction opened for them. That’s right: One Direction opened for BTR.
BTR is still the epitome of talent. Like every boy band ever, they had a way of making you (and millions of other teenage girls) feel special. BTR wrote most of the songs on their second and third albums, rehearsed original choreography and made me believe men could be good — all while filming 74 episodes of an above-average television show.
Without BTR, subsequent boy bands like One Direction would not be successful. In 2009, BTR paved the way for the comeback of the boy band. This band inadvertently gave the world an unprecedented era of skin-tight jeans, J-14 wall posters, internet fandom wars and quiffed hair.
BTR was iconic, and the fact that they aren’t a band anymore is criminal. Somehow, they made me grateful for the hours upon hours I spent obsessing over them online. One thing though is for certain, “If I Ruled the World,” I’d make sure BTR was the only relevant boy band (because they deserve to be).
-Emilee Wentland
One Direction
I have been a die-hard fan of the legendary English-Irish pop boy band, One Direction, since “What Makes You Beautiful” first graced my ears back in 2011, and have continued to love them even though they decided to take an indefinite hiatus back in 2016.
After five albums, five concerts, hundreds of dollars and endless playlists on repeat in the car (much to the dismay of my boyfriend), it is pretty evident that I am an avid “Directioner.” That being said, when Ms. Wentland had the audacity to argue that Big Time Rush was even borderline comparable to One Direction, I knew it was time to use my college education for arguably the most important task of my editorial career: constructing a well-sourced argument for the boys.
One Direction got their start back in 2010, when the original band members, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik auditioned for The X Factor UK as individual acts. However, Simon Cowell had the (genius) idea to group the boys together for the duration of the show and thus, 1D was born.
If their record setting album sales and epic social media followings don’t already speak for themselves, let’s dive into their pure talent, effortless harmonies and evolution between each album release. 1D grew with their audience, offering a more mature and unique sound with each new record. Listening to the difference between tracks on “Up All Night” versus “Made in the A.M.” clearly illustrates this. This is more than BTR can say, as they continuously offered the same stuffy, bubblegum pop, autotuned sound on each track they released.
One Direction was the definition of a boy band, as the members first formed when they were in their teenage years. They related to their audience and grew up with the fans that followed them. BTR, on the other hand, featured members that were already adults when they first debuted on the music scene. By the time the band concluded, they were more of an awkwardly-aged man band, hardly relating to their teenage audience.
Moreover, even after One Direction split, each member’s solo career has been nothing short of successful, from Harry and Niall’s iconic album releases to Louis, Liam and Zayn’s catchy singles.
Where is BTR now, you ask? I couldn’t tell you (because they’re irrelevant).
-Nicole Bellford
Kendalls wife • Jan 31, 2022 at 10:51 am
No shade to one direction and stuff but BTR has lots of top hit songs that flow effortlessly and can match any mood. BTR has good looking guys who have amazing voices that fit well with the music genre that they sing.Maybe i say that Gustavo Raque does an amazing job composing and putting together amazing hit albums every year.Sure 1D has lots of hits and stuff but noticed how that band broke up and NEVER got back together now BTR STAYED together and is working on performances and a concert in the furture.-from BTR fan 69420
Unknown • Sep 28, 2021 at 10:50 am
BTR FOR THE WIN YALL WHO THINK OTHERWISE CAN SUCK MY TOES
Dulya Hapugaskumbura • Jul 15, 2021 at 6:50 am
Well, I think 1D is the best band ever. Cuz they are amazayn. Thye are the world biggest band. and although they are in a hiatus since 5 or 6 years they are still the best boy band in the planet. 1D members have very high notes, their voices are so cool. and although they lost the x factor solo artists competition they didn’t give up thye tried harder to win in the group competition. So, there is a clear massage out. and i don’t even know what this Big Time Rush thing is. 1D is the best, 1DFORTHEWIN,
Directioner Forever!
louis • Jul 10, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Uhm, by calling btr irrelevant isnt really an insult because its true. even after 5 years i still heard story of my life, by one direction on the radio today. i personally have never heard any big time rush songs on the radio, and the only reason i know that they exist is because i saw their show on netflix. imagine if 1D had a show like that LOL. that sales and awards that one direction have one should speak for themselves. and dont even get me started on fanbase. directioners are some of the smartest loyal people i know. has big time rush fans ever hacked security to watch big time rush? IN REAL LIFE NOT SHOW (sorry for the all caps 😉 I know thats creepy, but its very, very true… big time rush arent exactly the best singers, and harry and liam can dance. just because 1D opened for btr in 2012, before 1D really got their start. there really is no competition, One Direction is the CLEAR winner.
Anna • Apr 20, 2021 at 3:31 pm
I love both bands but I would love it if everyone would stop saying that One Direction didn’t work hard. I get it there’s a lot of episodes in BTR, and sure it might’ve taken a week to complete one episode but they would have breaks for pretty much most of the entire summer, and half of winter, because that is how TV shows work. One Direction did world tours all year round, while writing/recording for their last three albums, doing promotional interviews, meet and greets with fans and so much more. Their is 518 days in 74 weeks, one direction was together for 5 years a total of 1,969 days and did 1470 concerts within that time. So please stop making this about who worked harder, they both did. And they both were incredibly successful in their own ways, and they both were a huge part of a lot of people’s childhoods. And they were two different types of bands one was on a tv show pretty much full time the other on world tours full time. Both bands were exceptionally talented, hard working and well loved, so please everyone stop being so toxic and hating on one band just because they prefer the other.
jaylynn • Apr 10, 2021 at 1:05 pm
Ok, first of all, this didn’t bug me until the very last sentence. BTR and 1D are two different bands. Im team BTR
Sarah • Apr 10, 2021 at 2:01 am
Also, no shade at all, but now that both bands are broken up, it seems like the BTR boys still are good friends and I haven’t heard any beef between them. One Direction on the other hand has had some drama within the boys (not a lot but there definitely has been some). I am sure the 1D boys keep in touch but they do not seem as close as BTR. I mean, Harry doesn’t even follow any of the boys on Instagram
But again, no hate to them. I love these bands. They literally were my childhood… well, my preteen-hood
Sarah • Apr 10, 2021 at 1:58 am
I love both bands so much. They both produced amazing songs and both have strong fandoms. One Direction is objectively more popular, but that doesn’t make them better. I’m not saying that BTR is better, but BTR had a lot that One Direction didn’t despite the difference in popularity. I saw someone above comment how BTR managed to film a show every week for about 4 years, plus touring, recording and everything else they had to do. I also noticed that BTR had a lot more choreography in their shows, which One Direction also lacked. I think that BTR deserves more praise and recognition because they truly deserve the same amount of fame as One Direction. But again, I love both bands so much and I really wish I could’ve seen One Direction open for BTR in 2012
jorja • Feb 1, 2021 at 5:20 pm
one direction could do “boyfriend” but btr could never do clouds. that’s all i have to say.
Crystal C. • Jan 13, 2021 at 8:03 pm
Firstly, as a fan of both bands I can say the slander in previous posts are hardly good arguments. Secondly, this debate intrigues me. I had never compared the two in my teenage years. But now in 2021, let’s look at facts.
– Formation: Both bands were constructed via television shows with slight differences. BTR boys were cast for a sitcom based on their acting abilities (and singing capabilities, no doubt) while simultaneously being signed to a label. 1D was formed as a boyband based on their singing abilities and lack thereof, given they were still teenagers at that point. They weren’t chosen because of Liam’s rapping nor Zayn’s dance moves (no, definitely not Zayn’s dance moves), but how well they might sound in unison. They had to earn their spot to hopefully win and be signed by a label. Though they placed third on X-Factor, given their growing potential talent and popularity with fans 1D was then signed.
– Personas: BTR’s personas were constructed to fit the show. The four were portrayed as hockey players from MN that moved to LA to pursue music, none of which is true. I’ll debate that the 1D boys never had to play anyone other than themselves. They did not need to have matching outfits nor dance routines to make their mark as a boyband. As constructed as both bands were, I hesitantly say that 1D was a bit more organic.
– Fame: This opinion article claims, ” Without BTR, subsequent boy bands like One Direction would not be successful. In 2009, BTR paved the way for the comeback of the boy band.” I will plainly counterargue that it was the Jonas Brothers paved the way for the boyband comeback, given they sold more records than BTR prior to their conception (plus BTR being a Nick copy of JONAS and the Monkees…but that’s a debate for another time). The argument that 1D was only made successful bc of BTR is a ridiculous one for one reason: the internet. Many BTR fans already knew the 1D boys from the internet, as stated by James in an interview with BTR. More recently, Kendall admitted, it sucked for us because there would be 2,000 girls outside the show singing their songs, even though we were headlining. So BTR didn’t make 1D famous, if anything they helped make them MORE famous. Unfortunately, becoming more famous than themselves.
– Sales: BTR has sold “over 10 million records worldwide.” No number ones but peaked on Billboards Charts with Boyfriend at #72. Whereas 1D “have had an 61 number ones, 85 million sales worldwide, including 20 million singles, 11 million albums and over a million DVDs.” Keyword: WORLDWIDE. Both bands toured and had fanbases around the world but the most successful of the two is One Direction.
Without even touching on the members’ solo careers since both band’s split, it is clear One Direction is the better band.
Waldo Salinas • Jul 21, 2022 at 5:13 am
Nah
Mike • Jan 6, 2021 at 10:21 am
1D’s success in America is due to BTR’s promotions in their world together, and no one really appreciated that. Just because 1D is more popular doesn’t make them better because there are popular people who aren’t great in their craft. 1D is talented don’t get me wrong, but they aren’t all buddies with each other consistently. BTR paved the way to boy bands era and brought a lot of unprecedented trends. 1D got popular because of x Factors’ fame and Simon Cowell’s promotion. He made them famous. their record did so much to put them together and is due to Simon Cowell’s influence in Britain and BTR’s promotion in America, and that’s why rest of the people followed. But BTR is better and underrated, but those who recognize their talent are the ones who winning. I do like 1D ut I believe BTR has the edge-popularity doe not mean anything
Emma • Dec 10, 2020 at 1:34 am
Look, I’m with One direction on this one. I don’t know why people on here keep hating on 1D. Liam, Niall, Louis, Harry, and Zayn have had such a huge impact on millions of lives(including mine). I can tell you this, One Direction saved my life. Without them wouldn’t be here. They brought so so so much joy into my life when I needed it most. They are truly my everything and I think I speak for a lot of directioners when I say that. It hurts us when you hate on the people that mean so much to us for no reason. please take into consideration why we love 1D. I think it’s kind of messed up what BTR fans say even when they know nothing. Both bands were good, but I just feel that one direction had a much bigger impact on the music industry and on the whole world.
POEP • Nov 21, 2020 at 7:24 am
BTR is the best fuck 1d
Mariah Murillo • Sep 26, 2020 at 9:47 am
First of all, I knew about 1d wayyyyyy before I knew about Btr….the only reason why I know about them is because my little sister watches Nickelodeon. I’m not say btr is irrelevant, because I do know that Carlos is an actor, but other than that, where are they now….idk.
One direction owned the music industry for a hot minute, look at their careers now, I bet if you turned on the radio and waited about 20 minutes, you’d hear Adore you, by who? Not Kendall, not Carlos, not James, not Logan….Harry, Harry Styles, former One direction member….so yeah, the girl saying Btr is irrelevant isn’t wrong she’s just rude.
kadie young • Aug 24, 2020 at 3:02 am
to all you small minded stupid people saying btr is better than one direction. let me correct you first of all one direction is not all looks and voice. there are well respected boys also we did not fall in love with them for there but more so the behavior and how respectful the are. also i don’t see btr giving money to charity . my boy went to Africa first hand and say what was happening. they also saved money from a video shoot to give to comic relief. they also treat there fans with the utmost respect. and before you say it was also a publicity stunt it was not, why because harry also bought a butt load of pizza and when around delivering it to the less fortunate and his whole platform is treat people with kindness. and i am sure btr is an amazing band. but that does not give you the right to call a band irrelevant. also a true one directioner would never hate on someone. so imagine what you all btr fans are saying the comment say a lot about the band it self. also one direction did not need btr to popularize them they were already popular. they look and voice was an added bonus, also thanks for admitting how handsome and how spectacular there voice are.
Rusher • Jul 14, 2020 at 2:07 pm
How dare you say BTR is irrelevant and btw Logan and James are solo now and very talented FYI. Logan’s music is amazing. Kendall is working on his band Heffron Drive with Dustin Belt and their music will BLOW YOUR SPEAKERS OUT. Carlos has a family and he is a very talented actor.
So don’t tell me your nonsense of 1D and all, because no one outside the UK would know 1D if it weren’t for BTR.
So don’t go talking like a GIANT TURD because BTR is the best boyband ever and I’LL BE THINKING ABOUT THEM WORLDWIDE!
Muhammad Irfan Baig • Jun 17, 2020 at 10:23 pm
One Direction vs Big Time Rush Battle Buttkicker Action Fighting Celebrities Knockouts Entertainment Tournament Of The Boy Band 1D (The X Factor UK) & BTR (Nickelodeon) Perfect Blood Bleed Vampire Bite GRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLL!?. Suck Your Blood One Direction Win Round 1 Fight 1D Attacks BTR Win 1D With Round 2 Fight Get Ready 1D Attacks BTR Win 1D & Round 3 Final Round Fight Go 1D Attacks BTR Win 1D (3 Wins 1D) (0 Killer Killing Died BTR).
Sofia • Jun 16, 2020 at 1:55 pm
BTR set the bar and restarted the boy band thing
Big Time Rush is so underrated and One direction is way to OVERRATED. AND THATS ON FACTS PERIOD.
Che Moraira • Jun 15, 2020 at 7:17 pm
Big Time Rush is, was, and always will be better than One Direction (which btw owe almost everything to BTR) they wouldn’t have half as many fans without BTR making Big Time Rush better in every way also NO ONE from BTR is “annoying “
Naiya • Jun 10, 2020 at 5:07 pm
In my opinion btr is better than one direction. after one directions song, ” What Makes You Beautiful” you didnt hear much about them after that. and they had complaints in ther band according to Zayn he said he did not make one friend in that group and he did not like the music they made and Liam also said that he was forced to do things. Also Zayn left the group. now on the other haand with btr i think they made better music and they got along better and was more succesful. They never complaint about making friends or with the music and yes they are not a bandn anymore nut they are still close and still sing and last year carlos and kendall sang some songs and so as james and kendall. And the 4 members were on a call together to tell their fans to stay safe. Btr in my opinion wasn the better band
Reevs • May 22, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Honestly speaking BTR made a statement and that still stands till today. They support one another whenever. If one thing I’ve learnt from those guys is that. It doesn’t matter where they came from. They’ll stand together and support one another with no feuds. And without BTR there wouldn’t be a 1D.
Kevin • May 17, 2020 at 6:09 am
This is so funny. How tf could u be so rude with BTR when thanks to them 1D got promoted. I like the songs of both bands. They sound great. But if u r gonna argument saying that BTR is irrelevant, u r just as irrelevant as ur commentary because it seems that u don’t know anything. Sorry not sorry.
Tanayia • Feb 29, 2020 at 8:01 am
BTR is WAY better, and I can tell you that with satisfaction that they are way better. After growing up watch BTR and just not only can they act but their show went on for four seasons and they went on tour. So until 1D can get a show that runs like BTR then yall can talk. And i know they had a movie which was horrible anyway.
alexi • Dec 15, 2019 at 7:13 pm
🤡 imagine thinking that one direction is better.
kidRapz • Nov 17, 2019 at 2:45 pm
I say btr was n still r legendary the boys we’re real mature n humble n their songs ohhh godddí ½í´¥í ½í´¥í ½í´¥
colby • Nov 11, 2019 at 11:20 am
although i love both bands and will forever be fans, the impact one direction has is much greater. One direction brought together so many people and they continue to do so. Technically it isn’t a solid debate because where the members stand now says it all, they are all successful and have a large loyal following. BTR was talented but if you focus on them now you see their downfall I will not name names, but one of the members is incredibly annoying now and jesus christ its awful. I would say the only truly successful ones are carlos and kendall.
Anna • Nov 8, 2019 at 1:15 pm
BTR is the Best
Ur mom • Sep 7, 2019 at 8:48 am
Um who tf is that girl saying one direction is better than btr. U wouldn’t f*cking know abt 1d without BTR. U might wanna bow down to btr’s greatness. The only reason u kmow abt one direction is because BTR promoted them so u shud stfu and thank BTR for promoting 1d. Also Big Time Rush were GREAT role models, didn’t ask for any drama or attention, none of em left the band, and they are still great friends. Autotune? Tf are u talking abt girl. All i see is oure talent. Their voices harmonize PERFECTLY and they are extremely talented. Now im not saying one direction aint but at least btr didn’t become famous bc they used another boy band. 1d’s career was successful bc of MARKETING periodt.
Sarahi • Jun 20, 2019 at 10:48 pm
There is a huge difference with the way the first person gave their opinion versus the second.
The first didn’t insult 1D yet the other person couldn’t help but be rude.
Sorry not sorry but Btr could rap, sing, dance go on world tours, practice constantly and make a tv show.
1D was just looks and voices.
They might have been talented in that area but they couldn’t do it like Btr.
That’s the exact reason why they have so many fans left because they were the ones who brought back the boy bands.
Rebecca • May 23, 2019 at 7:46 pm
BTR for sure! I love carlos SO MUCH!!!!! <3
gavin • May 4, 2019 at 7:56 pm
btr is way better
Brent Dickerson • Mar 20, 2019 at 9:21 pm
I think that btr should get back together and have a battle with one direction and see who will win because i think big time rush will crush one direction so im gonna say this kendall and logan and james and carlos whoop that butt because yall are the best boy band in the world and everyone misses yall alot can yall plz come back together guys
Nick • Feb 7, 2019 at 10:58 pm
IMO I believe Big Time Rush was a better band. I the band desverses a lot more credit they were very hard working. I mean four seasons that overall had 74 episodes plus a movie and world tours. One Direction has never had that kind of work. One of the band members of BTR said an episode took a while week to film. And none of the members of Big Time Rush left the band *cough (Zayn). The members of BTR were more mature and great role models for their younger audience. They never gotten into Twitter feuds or get into any drama cause they knew better One Direction couldn’t handle the hate they were given by othe artists being successful as these bands there is definitely gonna be haters and One Direction couldn’t handle it aswell as BTR did. Big Time Rush gave me an amazing childhood that I won’t forget and I will stand by them
BTR Wins
julian reveiws • Jan 3, 2019 at 2:48 am
Big time rush for the win
Noelle • Jul 23, 2018 at 9:15 pm
this really didn’t bother me until I saw the last sentence.. big time rush is irrelevant??? are you freaking kidding me???? they’re not gonna be so unimportant when Kendalls new band takes over the world with their music and when the other band members do the same. fuck you. bye!