Niall Horan has successfully carved out a notable solo career, amassing over one billion streams on Spotify and achieving high placements on the UK Albums chart. As a former member of One Direction, a band recognized as one of the best-selling of all time, Horan highlighted his exceptional singing talent and engaging stage presence.
The 32-year-old Irish artist kicked off his solo endeavors post-One Direction hiatus with tracks like “This Town”and “Slow Hands,”both of which made it into the top 20 charts across multiple countries. His album, “Heartbreak Weather,”launched in March 2020, not only topped the UK chart but also secured the fourth position in the US.
This piece delves into some of Horan’s most favored tracks.
Note: The rankings in this article are based on Spotify stream counts at the time of publication.
Must-Listen Niall Horan Tracks for 2024: This Town, Slow Hands, and More
1) This Town (1,016,298,217 Spotify streams)
“This Town,”Niall Horan’s inaugural solo single from the album “Flicker,”debuted on September 29, 2016. The song was crafted by Horan alongside Jamie Scott, Mike Needle, and Daniel Bryer.
This track features an acoustic guitar backdrop and repetitive lyrics, making it inherently catchy. The acoustic pop song achieved a peak position of number three on the Billboard Dance Club Songs, 12 on Billboard Pop Airplay, and 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In “This Town,”Horan reflects on his hometown and first love, yearning for a past romance. The opening lines capture this sentiment:
“Waking up to kiss you and nobody’s there/ The smell of your perfume still stuck in the air/ It’s hard/ Yesterday I thought I saw your shadow running round/ It’s funny how things never change in this old town/ So far from the stars.”
2) Slow Hands (981,482,685 Spotify streams)
Released on May 4, 2017, “Slow Hands”serves as the second single from Horan’s debut studio album, “Flicker.”The track was co-written by Horan, Alexander Izquierdo, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Ruth-Anne Cunningham, and Tobias Jesso Jr.
Fusing funk-pop with elements of R&B, folk-pop, and rock, “Slow Hands”achieved notable commercial success, reaching number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles chart, and has received six platinum certifications from ARIA.
The song celebrates desire and captures the passionate connection between lovers. The opening lines convey this feeling:
“‘We should take this back to my place’/ That’s what she said right to my face/ ‘Cause I want you bad/ Yeah, I want you, baby/ I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout it all day.”
It continues:
“‘And I hope you feel the same way, yeah.’”
3) Too Much to Ask (505,514,406 Spotify streams)
“Too Much to Ask”is a heartfelt ballad that contemplates the reasons behind a breakup. In this song, Horan expresses sorrow for a lost love while hoping his ex-partner shares the same feelings.
Released on September 15, 2017, this track was the third single from Horan’s debut album, “Flicker.”It topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning three platinum certifications from ARIA. The chorus poignantly captures the emotions:
“‘My shadow’s dancin’/ Without you for the first time/ My heart is hopin’/ You’ll walk right in tonight/ And tell me there are things that you regret.”
The lines continue:
“‘Cause, if I’m bein’ honest, I ain’t over you yet/ That’s all I’m askin’/ Is it too much to ask?’”
4) Nice to Meet Ya (348,191,765 Spotify streams)
“Nice to Meet Ya”kicks off with a catchy piano riff, transitioning into handclaps and a vibrant bass line that creates a lively pop-rock atmosphere. The song delves into the excitement of romantic interest and is inspired by a fleeting encounter Horan had while out one night.
The initial verse reflects this theme:
“‘I like the way you talk, I like the things you wear/ I want your number tattooed on my arm in ink, I swear/ ‘Cause when the morning comes, I know you won’t be there/ Every time I turn around, you disappear.’”
This track was co-written by Horan, Ruth-Anne Cunningham, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Julian Bunetta. “Nice to Meet Ya,”released on October 4, 2019, as the lead single from “Heartbreak Weather,”has been certified platinum in both Australia and Canada and gold in the UK.
5) Put a Little Love on Me (289,613,738 Spotify streams)
“Put a Little Love on Me”debuted on December 6, 2019, serving as the second single from Horan’s album “Heartbreak Weather.”This poignant ballad, which reflects on a past relationship, reached number nine on the Billboard Digital Song Sales and was certified platinum in Australia and Brazil.
The chorus expresses a yearning for love:
“‘Put a little love on me? Ayy/ Put a little love on me/ When the lights come up and there’s no shadows dancin’/ I look around as my heart is collapsin’/ Cause you’re the only one I need/ To put a little love on me.’”
Niall Horan recently wrapped up “The Show: Live on Tour,”promoting his studio album of the same name. The tour commenced on February 20, 2024, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and concluded in Bogota, Colombia, on October 9, 2024.
Image Credits: Sportskeeda.com
Leave a Reply