Before his debut solo album LP1 was released on Friday, December 6, Liam Payne chatted with BBC News exclusively and dished on the process behind creating the record. While discussing his new songs, the 26-year-old explained the meaning behind his controversial track “Both Ways.” Upon its release, the track received major backlash from LQBTQ+ fans on social media.
After telling the news outlet that it was his “favorite song” off the album, Liam said it was all about “being open to new experiences and different sexualities.” He also explained that this is the “world of ‘love is love’ and people becoming much more understanding about the way love is — and rightly so”.
For those who missed it, the track seemingly details a sexual encounter with two women. The lyrics, which read, “My girl, she like it both ways. No, no, I don’t discriminate / Bring it back to my place,” have been criticized for adding to the harmful stereotypes about bisexual people.
Many fans took to Twitter and shared their thoughts about the lyrics, and #LiamPayneIsOverParty even trended worldwide on the social media site.
“As a bisexual woman, it was extremely uncomfortable reading the lyrics to ‘Both Ways’ by Liam Payne. He openly fetishizes the fact that a woman likes boys and girls, and he even mentions bi women in threesomes which furthers the stereotype that all bi [people] are only into that,” one fan wrote. Another added, “I’m sick and tired of people thinking my sexuality is made for threesomes.”
Despite co-writing “Both Ways,” Liam told BBC News that the idea for the song actually originated with one of the other writers.
“I don’t know who in the studio had actually been in this situation, because I certainly haven’t, but it was an interesting song to write,” he said.
The former One Direction member has yet to respond to the social media backlash.
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