On the Loose (Niall Horan song)

{{Infobox song

| name = On the Loose

| cover = Niall Horan On the Loose.png

| type = single

| released = {{start date|2018|2|16|df=y}}

| genre = * Pop{{cite news|last=Laguaite|first=Madeline|title=Review: Niall Horan establishes new sound in first solo album 'Flicker'|url=https://www.redandblack.com/culture/review-niall-horan-establishes-new-sound-in-first-solo-album/article_19d4c098-b830-11e7-bd47-7fe7ad67f308.html|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=The Red & Black|date=24 October 2017}}

pop rock{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Nick|title=Niall Horan – 'Flicker' Review|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/niall-horan-flicker-album-review|accessdate=13 April 2020|work=NME|date=20 October 2017}}

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=43}}

| label = Capitol

| writer = * John Ryan

Niall Horan
Julian Bunetta

| producer = Julian Bunetta

| prev_title = Too Much to Ask

| prev_year = 2017

| next_title = Seeing Blind

| next_year = 2018

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|wk99OKNE_Ro|"On the Loose"}}}}

}}

"On the Loose" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan from his debut studio album Flicker. It was written by Horan, John Ryan, and its producer Julian Bunetta. The song was released to the US Mainstream Top 40 radio on 20 February 2018 as the album's fourth single. The radio version was released commercially on 16 February 2018 and was labeled as the "alternative version".{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Keisha|title=Niall Horan drops a surprise 'alternative version' of his new single On The Loose|url=http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/16/niall-horan-drops-surprise-alternative-version-new-single-loose-7318000/|accessdate=20 February 2018|work=Metro|date=16 February 2018}}

Background

Horan debuted the song on 13 May 2017 during his performance at Channel 93.3's Summer Kick Off concert in San Diego.{{cite news|last=Reilly|first=Nicholas|title=Niall Horan's new song is giving off serious Fleetwood Mac vibes|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/13/niall-horans-new-song-is-giving-off-serious-fleetwood-mac-vibes-6635106/|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=Metro|date=13 May 2017}} On 29 May 2017, Horan performed on The Today Show's Citi Concert Series, closing the show with a live TV debut of "On the Loose".{{cite magazine|last=Weatherby|first=Taylor|title=Watch Niall Horan's 'On the Loose' TV Debut, One Direction Sing-Along on 'Today'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7809650/niall-horan-today-show-performance-videos-recap|accessdate=8 February 2018|magazine=Billboard|date=29 May 2017}}

Horan admitted in an interview with Herald Sun that he channelled Fleetwood Mac for the song. "You can hear the 'Mac in that. Everyone's always trying to write their own Dreams. I'm only 24, Fleetwood Mac is the music I've listened to since I was four years old. I listen to a lot of other types of music but that's the stuff that always stuck around with me. I was going through a punk rock phase when I was 15, I like punk rock now but I wouldn't pick up my iPod and go straight to it, I'd probably go to the 'Mac and Crosby Stills and Nash and Jackson Browne and Tom Petty. They're the artists in my head, you can hear that on the album I think."{{cite news|last=Adams|first=Cameron|title=Niall Horan didn't see fan defacing of his album title Flicker coming|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/melbourne/niall-horan-didnt-see-fan-defacing-of-his-album-title-flicker-coming/news-story/3fbdd5f54097cca50538409845535214|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=Herald Sun|date=7 February 2018}}

He announced on 5 February 2018 via social media that the song would be the fourth single from the album. The accompanying single artwork, illustrated by Kyler Martz, features a drawing of a woman holding a heart, surrounded by flowers, some of which have legs and eyes on them.{{cite news|last=Macke|first=Johnni|title=Niall Horan Makes A Major Announcement|url=http://peopleschoice.com/2018/02/05/niall-horan-makes-a-major-announcement/|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=People's Choice Awards|date=5 February 2018}}{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Alex|title=Niall Horan announces brand new single|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/hits/entertainment/music/niall-horan-on-the-loose-single/|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=Key 103|date=6 February 2018}} An animated lyric video for the song was released on 12 February 2018, after Horan posted a 20-second teaser the day before.{{cite magazine|last=Braca|first=Nina|title=Niall Horan Teases Lyric Video for 'On The Loose'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8099127/niall-horan-lyric-video-on-the-loose|accessdate=20 February 2018|magazine=Billboard|date=12 February 2018}}{{cite news|last=Macke|first=Johnni|title=Niall Horan 'Can't Wait' For Fans To See His Latest Project|url=http://peopleschoice.com/2018/02/12/niall-horan-cant-wait-for-fans-to-see-his-latest-project/|accessdate=20 February 2018|work=People's Choice|date=12 February 2018}} It features a lady seducing multiple men,{{cite magazine|last=Braca|first=Nina|title=Niall Horan Drops Colorful Lyric Video for 'On the Loose'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8099216/niall-horan-on-the-loose-lyric-video|accessdate=20 February 2018|magazine=Billboard|date=12 February 2018}} while cruising through a city in a convertible.{{cite news|last=Sterling|first=Scott|title=Niall Horan Gets Animated in 'On The Loose' Lyric Video: Watch|url=http://news.radio.com/2018/02/12/niall-horan-animated-on-the-loose-lyric-video/|accessdate=20 February 2018|work=CBS Radio|date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212220/http://news.radio.com/2018/02/12/niall-horan-animated-on-the-loose-lyric-video/|archive-date=20 February 2018|url-status=dead}}

Critical reception

Christina Lee of Idolator wrote that the song "sounds like a cautionary tale", in comparison to "Slow Hands".{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Christina|title=Niall Horan Performs New Song "On The Loose": Watch|url=https://www.idolator.com/7662928/niall-horan-new-song-on-the-loose-video|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=Idolator|date=13 May 2017}} Mike Wass of the same publication opined that the song is "similarly upbeat" as "Slow Hands", and found it "more radio-friendly" than Horan's "stripped-back songs".{{cite news|last=Wass|first=Mike|title=Niall Horan Picks "On The Loose" As His Next Single|url=https://www.idolator.com/7674605/niall-horan-next-single-loose|accessdate=8 February 2018|work=Idolator|date=6 February 2018}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – alternate version{{cite web|title=On the Loose (Alternate Version) – Single by Niall Horan on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-the-loose-alternate-version-single/1445018989|website=iTunes Store (US)|date=16 February 2018 |access-date=20 February 2018}}

| title1 = On the Loose

| note1 = alternate version

| length1 = 2:38

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – acoustic version{{cite web|title=On the Loose (Acoustic) – Single by Niall Horan on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-the-loose-acoustic-single/1355970100|website=iTunes Store (US)|date=15 March 2018 |access-date=30 September 2018}}

| title1 = On the Loose

| note1 = acoustic

| length1 = 3:13

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – Basic Tape remix{{cite web|title=On the Loose (Basic Tape Remix) – Single by Niall Horan on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-the-loose-basic-tape-remix-single/1353755504|website=iTunes Store (US)|date=9 March 2018 |access-date=30 September 2018}}

| title1 = On the Loose

| note1 = Basic Tape remix

| length1 = 2:59

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – Slenderbodies remix{{cite web|title=On the Loose (Slenderbodies Remix) – Single by Niall Horan on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-the-loose-slenderbodies-remix-single/1358460888|website=iTunes Store (US)|date=23 March 2018 |access-date=30 September 2018}}

| title1 = On the Loose

| note1 = Slenderbodies remix

| length1 = 2:43

}}

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|title=Flicker (Deluxe) / Niall Horan TIDAL|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/80230669|website=Tidal|accessdate=8 February 2018}}

Niall Horan – vocals, guitar
Julian Bunetta – production, background vocals, percussion, record engineering
Nathan Dantzler – master engineering
Tommy King – keyboard
Michael Freeman – assistant mixing
Matt Chamberlain – drums
Mark Goldenberg – guitar
Val McCallum – guitar
Spike Stent – mixing

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (2017–18) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{singlechart\|Flanders\|24\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=On the Loose\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=11 May 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Wallonia\|24\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=On the Loose\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=25 May 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Billboardcanadachrtop40\|49\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=18 September 2022}}
{{singlechart\|Billboardcanadahotac\|38\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=18 September 2022}}
{{singlechart\|Czech Republic\|45\|year=2018\|week=13\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=4 April 2018}}
scope="row"\| Ireland (IRMA){{cite web\|url=http://irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Singles\|title=IRMA – Irish Charts\|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association\|accessdate=8 February 2018}} \| 47
scope="row" \|Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20){{cite web \|url=http://www.olt20.com/Niall_Horan#fragment-2&panel1-4\|work=The Official Lebanese Top 20\|access-date=June 23, 2021\|title=Niall Horan Chart History: Lebanese Top 20}} \|10
scope="row"\| Mexico Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2018-05-05/mexico\|title=Mexico Airplay: May 5, 2018\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=16 May 2018\|url-access=subscription }} \| 38
{{singlechart\|Dutch40\|35\|year=2018\|week=15\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=3 September 2018}}
scope="row"\| New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-10-27\|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=30 October 2017\|access-date=8 February 2018}} \| 3
{{singlechart\|Poland\|20\|chartid=2690\|year=2018\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=14 May 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Scotland\|66\|date=20180413\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=14 April 2018}}
scope="row"\| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web\|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=215&dfom=20171020&newi=0&mode=list&navi=no&platform=Win32&browser=Safari\|title=Swedish Heatseekers Chart - 20 October 2017\|accessdate=12 February 2018}} \| 14
{{singlechart\|UK\|94\|date=20171102\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=8 February 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Billboardadultcontemporary\|29\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=8 May 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Billboardadultpopsongs\|16\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=19 June 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Billboarddanceairplay\|31\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=9 December 2018}}
{{singlechart\|Billboardpopsongs\|22\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=15 May 2018}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web\|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2018&cat=s\|title=Jaaroverzichten 2018\|publisher=Ultratop\|accessdate=21 December 2018}} \| 97
scope="row"\| Iceland (Plötutíóindi){{cite web\|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-log-2018/\|title=TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2018\|language=is\|website=Plötutíóindi\|accessdate=April 1, 2022}} \| 81

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (2018)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2018&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 2018|publisher=Ultratop|accessdate=21 December 2018}}

| 97

scope="row"| Iceland (Plötutíóindi){{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-log-2018/|title=TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2018|language=is|website=Plötutíóindi|accessdate=April 1, 2022}}

| 81

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2018|certyear=2024|access-date= 16 May 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true }}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
scope="col"\| Region ! scope="col"\| Date ! scope="col"\| Format ! scope="col"\| Version ! scope="col"\| Label ! scope="col"\| {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row"\| Various \| rowspan="2"\| February 16, 2018 \| Digital download \| rowspan="3"\| Alternate \| rowspan="6"\| Capitol \|
scope="row"\| Australia \| rowspan="2"\| Contemporary hit radio \| {{Cite web\|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/charts/issues/1177/1177-singles-to-radio/\|title=Singles To Radio - The Music Network\|website=themusicnetwork.com}}
scope="row" rowspan="4"\| United States \| 20 February 2018 \| {{cite web\|title=Top 40/M Future Releases\|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases\|publisher=All Access Media Group\|accessdate=20 February 2018\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214193601/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases\|archivedate=14 February 2018}}
9 March 2018 \| rowspan="3"\|Digital download \| Basic Tape remix \|
15 March 2018 \| Acoustic \|
23 March 2018 \| Slenderbodies remix \|

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

scope="col"| Region

! scope="col"| Date

! scope="col"| Format

! scope="col"| Version

! scope="col"| Label

! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| Various

| rowspan="2"| February 16, 2018

| Digital download

| rowspan="3"| Alternate

| rowspan="6"| Capitol

scope="row"| Australia

| rowspan="2"| Contemporary hit radio

| {{Cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/charts/issues/1177/1177-singles-to-radio/|title=Singles To Radio - The Music Network|website=themusicnetwork.com}}

scope="row" rowspan="4"| United States

| 20 February 2018

| {{cite web|title=Top 40/M Future Releases|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|publisher=All Access Media Group|accessdate=20 February 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214193601/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|archivedate=14 February 2018}}

9 March 2018

| rowspan="3"|Digital download

| Basic Tape remix

15 March 2018

| Acoustic

23 March 2018

| Slenderbodies remix

References

Category:2018 singles

Category:2017 songs

Category:Niall Horan songs

Category:Capitol Records singles

Category:Songs written by Niall Horan

Category:Songs written by John Ryan (musician)

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Pop rock songs

Category:Songs written by Julian Bunetta