"History," the third single off of the UK band's fifth album, Made in the AM, was recorded explicitly in tribute to their expansive fandom. Some fans even provided backing vocals for the track. It has also been interpreted as a sort of post mortem for the band's relationship with former member Zayn Malik, who left One Direction last March to pursue a solo career and build a fort.

The music video, released on this, the 44th day of One Direction's first extended break in five years, is clearly meant as a life raft for fans. It tells the history (what else!) of the band, starting with their fateful individual X Factor auditions in 2010 and ending with a big old group hug at the last stop on their 2015 world tour. There is plenty of Zayn, minimal Simon Cowell, and naturally, oodles of screaming fans. Is it the greatest story ever told? Probably!

My top five moments (if you can handle it):

Liam Payne is wearing a horribly unflattering wide brimmed hat, as is his way. I will remember him as he is, and no different. Do not romanticize your loved ones.

A brief glimpse of Zayn in his "Yeah, I'm in a boy band. But it's a cool boy band" phase. Those were the days.

Ni-eye-all brow.

All of the hugs, but especially this hug. It looks so unwanted, yet wanted.

Me.

If someone wanted to make me a scrapbook, that would be fine.

The chorus of this song, let's all remember, is an explicit promise that One Direction will remain a band forever:

You and me got a whole lot of history
We could be the greatest team that the world has ever seen
You and me got a whole lot of history
So don't let it go, we can make some more, we can live forever

I will not survive if this is untrue.

Zayn Malik's debut single is due out this Friday.