Too Much to Ask

"Too Much to Ask" is a song recorded by Irish singer and 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.

For the Avril Lavigne song, see Let Go (Avril Lavigne album).
"Too Much to Ask"
Single by Niall Horan
from the album Flicker
Released15 September 2017 (2017-09-15)
Length3:43
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Greg Kurstin
Niall Horan singles chronology
"Slow Hands"
(2017)		 "Too Much to Ask"
(2017)		 "On the Loose"
(2018)
Music video
"Too Much to Ask" on YouTube

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.[1][2] 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."[3] In the single's promotional post on social media, Horan was pictured standing on the left on the escalator in the London Underground.[4] "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.[5]

Composition

"Too Much to Ask" is performed in the key of C major. Horan's vocals span from G2 to F4.[6]

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".[7] 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?"[8]

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."[9]

Track listing
Digital download[10]
No.TitleLength
1."Too Much to Ask"3:43
Digital download – TRU Concept remix[11]
No.TitleLength
1."Too Much to Ask" (TRU Concept remix)3:29
Digital download – Cedric Gervais remix[12]
No.TitleLength
1."Too Much to Ask" (Cedric Gervais remix)3:04
Digital download – acoustic version[13]
No.TitleLength
1."Too Much to Ask" (acoustic version)3:41

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[10]

  • 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

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[50] 2× Platinum 140,000
Belgium (BEA)[51] Gold 15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[52] Platinum 80,000
Italy (FIMI)[53] Gold 25,000
Norway (IFPI Norway)[54] Gold 30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[56] Gold 500,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 15 September 2017 Digital download Original Capitol [10]
Italy 29 September 2017 Contemporary hit radio Universal [57]
United States 10 October 2017 Capitol [58]
Various Digital download TRU Concept remix [11]
Cedric Gervais remix [12]
3 November 2017 Acoustic [13]

References
  1. Lars, Brandle (15 September 2017). "Niall Horan Drops New Single 'Too Much to Ask': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  2. "Niall Horan drops new single and reveals album release date". RTÉ.ie. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  3. Mark, Savage (15 September 2017). "Niall Horan: 'One Direction's first gig was a disaster'". BBC News. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  4. Katie, Baillie (15 September 2017). "Niall Horan commits the ultimate sin in new single artwork by standing on the left on the escalator". Metro. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  5. Gabriella, Ginsberg (15 September 2017). "Niall Horan Unexpectedly Drops New Single 'Too Much To Ask' & We're Shook — Listen". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  6. "Too Much to Ask by Niall Horan - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes. EMI Music. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  7. Mike, Wass (15 September 2017). "Niall Horan Nurses Heartbreak On New Single "Too Much To Ask"". Idolator. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  8. Rianne, Houghton (15 September 2017). "One Direction star Niall Horan unveils 'Too Much To Ask' and it's reducing everyone to tears". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  9. Jon, Blistein (21 September 2017). "Watch Niall Horan's Melancholic 'Too Much to Ask' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  10. "Too Much To Ask / Niall Horan TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  11. "Too Much To Ask (TRU Concept Remix) / Niall Horan TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  12. "Too Much To Ask (Cedric Gervais Remix) / Niall Horan TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  13. "Too Much To Ask (Acoustic) / Niall Horan TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
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  53. "Italian single certifications – Niall Horan – Too Much to Ask" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 2 January 2018. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Too Much to Ask" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli online" under "Sezione".
  54. "Norwegian single certifications – Niall Horan – Too Much to Ask" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  55. "British single certifications – Niall Horan – Too Much to Ask". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 April 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Too Much to Ask in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  56. "American single certifications – Niall Horan – Too Much to Ask". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 August 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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