Too Much to Ask

{{Infobox song

| name = Too Much to Ask

| cover = Niall Horan - Too Much to Ask.png

| type = single

| artist = Niall Horan

| album = Flicker

| released = {{start date|2017|9|15|df=y}}

| genre =

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

| label = Capitol

| writer = {{hlist|Niall Horan|Jamie Scott}}

| producer = Greg Kurstin

| prev_title = Slow Hands

| prev_year = 2017

| next_title = On the Loose

| next_year = 2018

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ljXSjIph5ZM|"Too Much to Ask"}}}}

}}

"Too Much to Ask" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan. It was written by Horan and Jamie Scott, with production handled by Greg Kurstin. The song was released by Capitol Records on 15 September 2017, as the third single from Horan's debut studio album, Flicker (2017). Commercially, "Too Much to Ask" reached the top 10 in Hungary, Ireland, and Scotland as well as the top 20 in Australia, Belgium, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.

Background

Horan expressed in tweets that the song is "very special" to him and it stands out as one of his favourites on the album.{{cite magazine|last=Lars|first=Brandle|title=Niall Horan Drops New Single 'Too Much to Ask': Listen|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7965738/niall-horan-single-too-much-to-ask|accessdate=15 September 2017|magazine=Billboard|date=15 September 2017}}{{cite news|title=Niall Horan drops new single and reveals album release date|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0915/904932-niall-horan/|accessdate=15 September 2017|work=RTÉ.ie|date=15 September 2017}} He said of the song in an interview with BBC News: "I would obviously like it to go to number one, that would be the dream, but it is what it is. If it's getting a lot love and jumps in at number two or number three, I don't mind."{{cite news|last=Mark|first=Savage|title=Niall Horan: 'One Direction's first gig was a disaster'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41246502|accessdate=15 September 2017|work=BBC News|date=15 September 2017}} In the single's promotional post on social media, Horan was pictured standing on the left on the escalator in the London Underground.{{cite news|last=Katie|first=Baillie|title=Niall Horan commits the ultimate sin in new single artwork by standing on the left on the escalator|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/09/15/niall-horan-commits-the-ultimate-sin-in-new-single-artwork-by-standing-on-the-left-on-the-escalator-6929811/|accessdate=15 September 2017|work=Metro|date=15 September 2017}} "It's a special one. I actually wrote this song the day after I wrote 'This Town' so I felt like it got off to an alright start when I started writing the album. It's a very nice, beautiful song and means a lot to me. I just can't wait for people to hear it. Hopefully fingers cross that people are going to like it, obviously a lot different to 'Slow Hands'," Horan explained in a Smallzy's Surgery interview.{{cite news|last=Gabriella|first=Ginsberg|title=Niall Horan Unexpectedly Drops New Single 'Too Much To Ask' & We're Shook — Listen|url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2017/09/15/niall-horan-too-much-to-ask-new-song/|accessdate=15 September 2017|work=Hollywood Life|date=15 September 2017}}

Composition

"Too Much to Ask" is performed in the key of C major. Horan's vocals span from G2 to F4.{{cite web|title=Too Much to Ask by Niall Horan - Digital Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0177983|website=Musicnotes| date=15 September 2017 |publisher=EMI Music|accessdate=29 September 2017}}

Critical reception

Mike Wass of Idolator was positive about the song, saying: "Niall Horan's solo career continues to go from strength to strength with the arrival of 'Too Much To Ask.' A tender ballad about hankering for an ex, the track showcases the Irishman's simple, heartfelt approach." And went on to call it "a beautifully crafted song" with a "melancholy piano arrangement".{{cite news|last=Mike|first=Wass|title=Niall Horan Nurses Heartbreak On New Single "Too Much To Ask"|url=https://www.idolator.com/7668743/niall-horan-too-much-to-ask-review|accessdate=30 September 2017|work=Idolator|date=15 September 2017}} Rianne Houghton from Digital Spy was also positive about the song, and said: "Gird your loins, and your tear ducts 1D fans! Niall has released his latest single and it's definitely a tear-jerker. Seriously Niall, who hurt you?"{{cite news|last=Rianne|first=Houghton|title=One Direction star Niall Horan unveils 'Too Much To Ask' and it's reducing everyone to tears|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a838187/niall-horan-too-much-to-ask-single/|accessdate=30 September 2017|work=Digital Spy|date=15 September 2017}}

Music video

Niall uploaded the official audio on day of release to his YouTube Vevo account and then the official music video six days later on 21 September 2017. It was directed by Malia James. Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone explained the video in his review about the song's video, writing:

"The Malia James-directed clip finds Horan grappling with lost love as he sings the poignant and nostalgic lyrics in an empty room and watches a couple flirt and kiss on the tube. Horan finds solace while sharing a pint and playing the tune with his mates, though the clip ends with the musician contending with loneliness as he wanders the streets of London."{{cite magazine|last=Jon|first=Blistein|title=Watch Niall Horan's Melancholic 'Too Much to Ask' Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-niall-horans-melancholic-too-much-to-ask-video-w504745|accessdate=30 September 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=21 September 2017}}

Track listing

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download

| title1 = Too Much to Ask

| length1 = 3:43

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – TRU Concept remix{{cite web|title=Too Much To Ask (TRU Concept Remix) / Niall Horan TIDAL|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/79765504|website=Tidal|accessdate=20 February 2018}}

| title1 = Too Much to Ask

| note1 = TRU Concept remix

| length1 = 3:29

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – Cedric Gervais remix{{cite web|title=Too Much To Ask (Cedric Gervais Remix) / Niall Horan TIDAL|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/79765493|website=Tidal|accessdate=20 February 2018}}

| title1 = Too Much to Ask

| note1 = Cedric Gervais remix

| length1 = 3:04

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download – acoustic version{{cite web|title=Too Much To Ask (Acoustic) / Niall Horan TIDAL|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/80897051|website=Tidal|accessdate=20 February 2018}}

| title1 = Too Much to Ask

| note1 = acoustic version

| length1 = 3:41

}}

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|title=Too Much To Ask / Niall Horan TIDAL|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/78455963|website=Tidal|accessdate=15 September 2017}}

Niall Horan – songwriting
Jamie Scott – songwriting, background vocals
Greg Kurstin – production, keyboard, bass guitar, drums, guitar, piano, recording engineering
Michael Freeman – assistant mixing
Spike Stent – mixing, programming
Alex Pasco – recording engineering
Julian Burg – recording engineering

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="col"\| Chart (2017–2018) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{{single chart\|Australia\|19\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=28 October 2017}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|29\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=27 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|18\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=25 November 2017}}
{{single chart\|Wallonia\|47\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=2 December 2017}}
{{single chart\|Canada\|41\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=26 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Czechdigital\|29\|year=2017\|week=38\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=26 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|France\|37\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=25 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|61\|songid=1694524\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=22 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Hungarysingle\|8\|year=2017\|week=38\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=28 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Hungarystream\|36\|year=2017\|week=38\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=28 September 2017}}
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=28 October 2017}} \| 6
scope="row"\| Italy (FIMI){{cite web\|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:digital/id:2549/page:1\|title=Classifica settimanale WK 38\|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana\|language=Italian\|accessdate=23 September 2017}} \| 65
{{single chart\|Billboardjapanhot100\|29\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=17 November 2019}}
scope="row"\| Latvia (DigiTop100){{cite web \|date=December 11, 2017 \|title=Singles chart for the Week 48, 2017 {{ndash}} Ending November 30, 2017 \|url=https://tv3cdn.lv/2017/12/kad-atskaidrosies-piekap-par-kadu-muziku-maksa-latvijas-iedzivotaji-5a325a5f5f909.xlsx \|access-date=April 8, 2025 \|publisher={{Ill\|TV3.lv\|lv\|tv3.lv\|lt=Skaties.lv}} \|language=en}} \| 50
scope="row"\| Lebanon Airplay (Lebanese Top 20){{cite web\|url=http://www.olt20.com/Niall_Horan#fragment-2\|title=The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Niall Horan\|publisher=The Official Lebanese Top 20\|accessdate=23 October 2017}} \| 14
scope="row"\| Malaysia (RIM){{cite web\|url=http://www.rim.org.my/main/images/stories/RIM/chart/43_i_domestic.pdf\|title=Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles in Malaysia : Week 43 (20/10/2017 - 26/10/2017)\|publisher=Recording Industry Association of Malaysia\|accessdate=3 November 2017}} \| 14
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|12\|year=2017\|week=46\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=18 November 2017}}
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Mega Top 50){{cite web\|url=https://www.npo3fm.nl/megatop50/2017-12-16\|title=Home - Mega Top 50 - AVROTROS - NPO 3FM\|website=megatop50.3fm.nl\|accessdate=24 December 2017\|archive-date=24 December 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101604/https://www.npo3fm.nl/megatop50/2017-12-16\|url-status=dead}} \| 20
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|20\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=4 November 2017}}
scope="row"\| New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-09-22\|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=25 September 2017\|access-date=22 September 2017}} \| 1
{{single chart\|Norway\|32\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=23 September 2017}}
scope="row"\| Philippines (Philippine Hot 100){{cite web\|url=http://billboard.ph/billboardph-hot-100-december-11/\|title=BillboardPH Hot 100\|work=Billboard Philippines\|accessdate=11 December 2017}} \| 33
{{single chart\|Portugal\|44\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=6 October 2017}}
{{single chart\|Scotland\|9\|date=20170922\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=23 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Slovakia2\|37\|year=2017\|week=42\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=24 October 2017}}
{{single chart\|Slovakdigital2\|18\|year=2017\|week=38\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=26 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Spain\|26\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Sweden\|34\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=28 October 2017}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|37\|artist=Niall Horan\|song=Too Much to Ask\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=25 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|UK\|24\|date=20170922\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=23 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|66\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=26 September 2017}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultcontemporary\|24\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=30 January 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultpopsongs\|17\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=17 January 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddanceclubplay\|1\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=30 January 2018}}
{{single chart\|Billboardpopsongs\|18\|artist=Niall Horan\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=27 December 2017}}

= Year-end charts =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (2017) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2017\|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2017\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|accessdate=17 October 2019}} \| 64
scope="col"\| Chart (2018) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Iceland (Plötutíóindi){{cite web\|url=https://plotutidindi.is/arslistar/tonlistinn-log-2018/\|title=TÓNLISTINN – LÖG – 2018\|language=is\|website=Plötutíóindi\|accessdate=1 April 2022}} \| 84
scope="row"\| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/dance-club-songs\|title=Year-End Charts Dance Club Songs\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=4 December 2018}} \| 16

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

scope="col"| Chart (2017)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2017|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2017|publisher=Dutch Top 40|accessdate=17 October 2019}}

| 64

scope="col"| Chart (2018)

! scope="col"| Position

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

| 84

scope="row"| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2018/dance-club-songs|title=Year-End Charts Dance Club Songs|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=4 December 2018}}

| 16

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|access-date=6 April 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|certmonth=02|access-date=9 February 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|award=Platinum|relyear=2017|relmonth=9|certyear=2024|access-date=5 July 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|access-date=2 April 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2023|id=13076|access-date=24 October 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2017|id=5191|access-date=2 January 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|award=Platinum|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2019|source=radioscope|access-date=7 January 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=17 July 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2024|id=niall-horan-too-much-to-ask|access-date=17 February 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2022|access-date=3 April 2022|id=14877-4284-1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|award=Gold|artist=Niall Horan|title=Too Much to Ask|relyear=2017|certyear=2018|access-date=14 August 2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=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 \| 15 September 2017 \| Digital download \| rowspan="3"\| Original \| Capitol \|
scope="row"\| Italy \| 29 September 2017 \| rowspan="2"\| Contemporary hit radio \| Universal \| {{cite web\|url=http://radiodate.it/radio-date/niall-horan-too-muck-to-ask-176790-29-09-2017-radiodate/\|title=Niall Horan "Too Much To Ask" \| (Radio date: 29 September 2017)\|publisher=Radio Airplay s.r.l.\|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
scope="row"\| United States \| rowspan="3"\| 10 October 2017 \| rowspan="5"\| Capitol \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases\|title=Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates\|website=All Access\|date=4 October 2017\|accessdate=4 October 2017}}
scope="row" rowspan="3"\| Various \| rowspan="3"\| Digital download \| TRU Concept remix \|
Cedric Gervais remix \|
3 November 2017 \| Acoustic \|

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

| 15 September 2017

| Digital download

| rowspan="3"| Original

| Capitol

scope="row"| Italy

| 29 September 2017

| rowspan="2"| Contemporary hit radio

| Universal

| {{cite web|url=http://radiodate.it/radio-date/niall-horan-too-muck-to-ask-176790-29-09-2017-radiodate/|title=Niall Horan "Too Much To Ask" | (Radio date: 29 September 2017)|publisher=Radio Airplay s.r.l.|accessdate=10 October 2017}}

scope="row"| United States

| rowspan="3"| 10 October 2017

| rowspan="5"| Capitol

| {{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases|title=Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates|website=All Access|date=4 October 2017|accessdate=4 October 2017}}

scope="row" rowspan="3"| Various

| rowspan="3"| Digital download

| TRU Concept remix

Cedric Gervais remix

3 November 2017

| Acoustic

References

Category:2010s ballads

Category:2017 singles

Category:2017 songs

Category:Niall Horan songs

Category:Capitol Records singles

Category:Songs written by Niall Horan

Category:Songs written by Jamie Scott

Category:Song recordings produced by Greg Kurstin