Black and White (Niall Horan song)

Last updated
"Black and White"
Niall Horan - Black and White Stripped (Official Single Cover).png
Stripped single cover
Single by Niall Horan
from the album Heartbreak Weather
Released21 April 2020 (2020-04-21)
Genre Pop rock
Length3:13
Label Capitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Julian Bunetta
  • Teddy Geiger
Niall Horan singles chronology
"No Judgement"
(2020)
"Black and White"
(2020)
"Moral of the Story"
(2020)
Music video
"Black and White" on YouTube

"Black and White" is a song by Irish singer Niall Horan from his second studio album Heartbreak Weather (2020), which it appears as the album's second track. The song additionally serves as the album's fifth and final single, being released on 21 April 2020. [1]

Contents

Composition

Musically, "Black and White" has been described as a pop rock ballad. [2] The song was compared to the works of Ed Sheeran [3] and Horan's former band One Direction. [2] [4] Lyrically, it is "a soaring declaration of eternal devotion" with visions of a wedding day and golden hour. [5] In terms of music notation, "Black and White" was composed using 4
4
common time
in the key of D major, with a tempo of 148 beats per minute. [6] Horan's vocal range spans from the low note A2 to the high note of D5 (in the backing).

Live performances

Horan first performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden on 13 March 2020. [7] Horan also performed the song on 18 April 2020 on the Lady Gaga-curated One World: Together At Home television special, a benefit event by Global Citizen to raise funds for the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. [8]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [9]

Charts

Chart performance for "Black and White"
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100) [10] 12
Ireland (IRMA) [11] 18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tiparade) [12] 20
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [13] 10
UK Singles (OCC) [14] 91

Certifications

Certifications for "Black and White"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [15] Platinum70,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [16] Gold20,000
Canada (Music Canada) [17] Gold40,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [18] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Black and White"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various21 April 2020
[1]
United Kingdom25 April 2020 Adult contemporary radio Capitol [19]
Italy1 May 2020 Contemporary hit radio Universal [20]
Various22 May 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
(stripped version)
  • Capitol
[21]
9 June 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
(Oliver Nelson remix)
[22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac song)</span> 1987 single by Fleetwood Mac

"Everywhere" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac from their 14th studio album, Tango in the Night (1987). The song was written by Christine McVie, who also performed lead vocals, and produced by Lindsey Buckingham and Richard Dashut. In the United States, "Everywhere" was released in November 1987 as the album's fourth single, while in the United Kingdom, it was issued on 21 March 1988 as the album's fifth single.

<i>Flicker</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Niall Horan

Flicker is the debut solo studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan. It was released on 20 October 2017 by Capitol Records. "This Town" was released on 29 September 2016 as the album's lead single, followed by "Slow Hands", "Too Much to Ask", "On the Loose", and "Seeing Blind".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niall Horan</span> Irish singer-songwriter (born 1993)

Niall James Horan is an Irish singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence as a member of the boy band One Direction, formed in 2010 on the singing competition The X Factor. The group released five albums and went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Town (Niall Horan song)</span> 2016 single by Niall Horan

"This Town" is the debut solo single by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, released on 29 September 2016 by Capitol Records as the lead single from his debut solo album Flicker (2017). An accompanying music video of a live performance was released the same day. The song was written by Horan, Jamie Scott, Mike Needle, Daniel Bryer and produced by Greg Kurstin. It is Horan's first solo single, as well as the second solo single released by any of One Direction's remaining members, following the hiatus of the band, which was announced earlier in 2016. It peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart, earning it his second highest-charting single as a lead artist to date, behind "Slow Hands". It also peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slow Hands (Niall Horan song)</span> 2017 single by Niall Horan

"Slow Hands" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, released as a single on 4 May 2017 by Capitol Records. The song was written by Horan, Alexander Izquierdo, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Ruth Anne Cunningham and Tobias Jesso Jr., while the production was handled by Bunetta. It was serviced to US contemporary hit radio on 9 May 2017 as the second single from Horan's debut solo album Flicker (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On the Loose (Niall Horan song)</span> 2018 single by Niall Horan

"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 'Alternative Version'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Much to Ask</span> 2017 single by Niall Horan

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niall Horan discography</span>

As a solo artist, Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan has released three studio albums, two live album, three extended plays, sixteen singles, one promotional single and sixteen music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost in Japan</span> 2018 song by Shawn Mendes

"Lost in Japan" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Shawn Mendes. It was written by Mendes, Scott Harris, Nate Mercereau and Teddy Geiger, with production handled by Mendes, Mercereau, Geiger and Louis Bell. The song was released by Island Records on March 23, 2018, as a second single for Mendes' self-titled third studio album. An official remix by German music producer Zedd was released on September 27, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nice to Meet Ya (Niall Horan song)</span> 2019 single by Niall Horan

"Nice to Meet Ya" is a song by Irish singer Niall Horan, released through Capitol Records as the lead single from his second studio album Heartbreak Weather on 4 October 2019. Horan co-wrote the track with Ruth-Anne Cunningham in one day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shameless (Camila Cabello song)</span> 2019 single by Camila Cabello

"Shameless" is a song by American singer and songwriter Camila Cabello from her second studio album Romance (2019). It was released alongside "Liar" on September 5, 2019, as a double single from the album. Written by Cabello, Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Jon Bellion, Martin Bresso, Jordan Johnson and Stefan Johnson, and produced by Watt and the Monsters and the Strangerz, the song is about Cabello finally facing her feelings about someone she loved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put a Little Love on Me</span> 2019 single by Niall Horan

"Put a Little Love on Me" is a song by Irish singer Niall Horan. It was released through Capitol Records as the second single from his second studio album Heartbreak Weather on 6 December 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrong Direction (song)</span> 2020 single by Hailee Steinfeld

"Wrong Direction" is a song by American singer Hailee Steinfeld and was released by Republic Records on January 1, 2020. The song serves as the lead single from Steinfeld's second EP Half Written Story (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Judgement</span> 2020 single by Niall Horan

"No Judgement" is a song by Irish singer Niall Horan. It was released through Capitol Records as the third single from his second studio album Heartbreak Weather on February 7, 2020.

<i>Heartbreak Weather</i> 2020 studio album by Niall Horan

Heartbreak Weather is the second studio album by Irish singer Niall Horan, released through Capitol Records on 13 March 2020. It was promoted with five singles: "Nice to Meet Ya", "Put a Little Love on Me", "No Judgement", the title track and "Black and White".

"Hate the Other Side" is a song by American rapper Juice Wrld and producer Marshmello featuring Polo G and the Kid Laroi. It was released on July 10, 2020, as the ninth track from Juice's posthumous third studio album Legends Never Die.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Song (Anne-Marie and Niall Horan song)</span> 2021 song by Anne-Marie and Niall Horan

"Our Song" is a song by English singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan. It was released on 21 May 2021 as the third single from the former's second studio album, Therapy (2021). Produced by TMS, "Our Song" was written by the two singers along with Philip Plested and the three members of TMS. The ballad's lyrics have the vocalists reminiscing about a past relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreak Anthem</span> 2021 single by Galantis, David Guetta and Little Mix

"Heartbreak Anthem" is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Galantis, French DJ and music producer David Guetta and British girl group Little Mix. It was released on 20 May 2021 through Atlantic Records and appears on Little Mix's greatest hits album Between Us (2021) along with Galantis' fourth studio album Rx (2024). An EDM and pop song with dance-pop influences, it was co-written by Guetta, Galantis member Christian Karlsson, alongside Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jade Thirlwall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven (Niall Horan song)</span> 2023 single by Niall Horan

"Heaven" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, released through Capitol Records as the lead single from his third studio album The Show on 17 February 2023.

<i>The Show</i> (Niall Horan album) 2023 studio album by Niall Horan

The Show is the third studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, released through Capitol Records on 9 June 2023. Musically, it draws from rock and synth pop genres. The album's lead single, "Heaven" was released on 17 February 2023, followed by "Meltdown" on 28 April 2023. The album topped the charts in eight countries. A deluxe version of the album, subtitled The Encore, was released on 3 November 2023; the album was preceded by an encore version of "You Could Start a Cult", with Lizzy McAlpine.

References

  1. 1 2 @NiallOfficial (20 April 2020). "Delighted to share that Black And White is the next single off Heartbreak Weather. Love this one more and more every time i listen to it . Video out tomorrow at 6pm UK" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 April 2020 via Twitter.
  2. 1 2 Wass, Mike (20 April 2020). "Niall Horan Picks "Black And White" As Next Single". Idolator . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  3. DeVille, Chris (9 March 2020). "Niall Horan 'Heartbreak Weather' Review: The Forecast Is Improving". Stereogum . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  4. Cragg, Michael (15 March 2020). "Niall Horan: Heartbreak Weather review – 1D's quiet one comes good". TheGuardian.com . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  5. Moreland, Quinn (20 March 2020). "Niall Horan: Heartbreak Weather Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  6. "Key & BPM for Black And White by Niall Horan". TuneBat. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  7. Zemler, Emily (13 March 2020). "See Niall Horan Confront His Fear of Pigeons on 'Carpool Karaoke'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  8. Legaspi, Althea (21 April 2020). "Niall Horan Hits the Studio and the Road to Perform in New 'Black and White' Video". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  9. "Credits / Heartbreak Weather / Niall Horan". Tidal . Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  10. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 34. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  11. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  12. "Tiparade Week 22". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  13. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  15. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. "Brazilian single certifications – Niall Horan – Black and White" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  17. "Canadian single certifications – Niall Horan – Black and White". Music Canada . Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  18. "British single certifications – Niall Horan – Black and White". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  19. "BBC – Radio 2 New Music Playlist". BBC . Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  20. "Niall Horan "Black and White"". radiodate.it. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  21. "Black and White (Stripped) – Single by Niall Horan on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  22. "Black and White (Oliver Nelson Remix) – Single by Niall Horan on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved 29 March 2021.