Romantic relationships are great. Breakups are great. Okay, maybe breakups are not so great. But, you have to admit, they are as great as relationships when it comes to songwriting fuel. Maybe even greater.
The world’s most repeatedly heard songs are related to relationships or breakups in some way, for the major part. We can’t deny that love does bring out the best in artists, especially music artists.
Niall Horan’s last two albums speak volumes about two significant romantic relationships of his. Although the two share a common denominator of being related to his love life, the similarities stop there. One screams emotionally destructing heartbreak while the other screams hopelessly in love.
Niall is an Irish singer-songwriter who found success in the music industry while being part of what was one of the biggest boy bands globally- One Direction. After the band, unfortunately, fell apart after the departure of multiple members, all of them pursued their solo careers in music, including Niall.
He has since released three albums- Flicker in 2017, Heartbreak Weather in 2020, and The Show in 2023. He has also had two public relationships since his solo career began, with his most recent two music-inspiring ones being with singer-songwriter-actress Hailee Steinfeld and current girlfriend, Amelia Woolley. Keep scrolling as we analyze what songs Niall has written with Hailee or Amelia in mind.
Also Read: When Did One Direction Break Up? Where Are They Now?
Hailee Steinfeld And Amelia Woolley: Which Songs From Niall Horan’s Discography Did These Women Inspire?
August 2018 revealed Niall’s secret relationship with Hailee Steinfeld as they were spotted together in a park, looking like way more than friends. The duo was not one that lasted long, however. The two called it quits in December 2018 due to unconfirmed reasons. Some sources state that the two just had too much on their plates to maintain a stable relationship, and some say that Niall was unfaithful to Hailee.
Nevertheless, the breakup set the ball rolling for the release of some great pieces of music from both Niall and Hailee.
Hailee’s song ‘Wrong Direction’ is said to be painfully obvious in its references to her parting ways with Niall. The title itself seems to be a nod to him since he was a former member of the globally adored boy band One Direction.
Some lyrics from the song are “Lookin’ back, and I probably should have known/But I just wanted to believe that you were out sleepin’ alone” and “And it’s so gut-wrenchin’/Fallin’ in the wrong Direction.” The lyrics clearly are in reference to a breakup and a previous relationship with a man who loved her with his worst intentions and was unfaithful to her, which she found out only when it was too late.
Coming to Niall’s discography that references Hailee, fans have pointed out multiple songs that seem to be inspired by the star’s relationship with Hailee. In fact, a huge chunk of the songs on Niall’s second solo studio album ‘Heartbreak Weather.’
Heartbreak Weather
“All of my life, it’s been heartbreak weather / Thinkin’ to myself, it won’t get better / It can be so lonely in this city / But it feels different when you’re with me.”
Niall is referring to how a girl walking into his life changed his life for the better and that before her, everything had made him feel lonely. He said that the song is about the start of a relationship and that it is a personal song that he “dressed up as a happy tune.”
Fans guessed that this was about Hailee since she was his last love before the album release and because he said it was dressed up to be happy, implying that it had sad origins, possibly inspired by a breakup.
Bend The Rules
“I’m not sayin’ that you’re lyin’ / But you’re leavin’ out the truth / And I’m not sayin’ that you’re guilty / ‘Cause I don’t have any proof.”
This one is also only speculated to be about Hailee since she was his ex-girlfriend at the time. Niall talks about how one of often untrusting of their partner at the beginning of their relationship. The lyrics talk about a girl who is secretive and has things to hide from her lover. Once again, fans have no confirmation that Hailee inspired this song, but fans insist that she really did.
Put a Little Love on Me
“I look around as my heart is collapsing/’Cause you’re the only one I need/To put a little love on me.”
Niall spoke about this melancholic track, saying, “It’s like, I’m sad, we’re finished, put a little love on me.” He also said that it was a hard song to write since the emotions were still raw, but that it is one of his favorite songs.
His descriptions point to the heartbreak he felt from his split with Hailee, and the music video that features a brunette, just like Hailee, confirmed fans’ doubts that the song is indeed about Hailee.
Arms of a Stranger
“You left me with nothing/Now I’m lyin’ in the arms of a stranger/But why do I think of you?”
All signs point to a breakup yet again, with the lyrics describing how he is trying to get over the breakup by trying to find solace in the arms of a stranger. Fans are very sure that this song is about Hailee too. However, no source has confirmed the inspiration behind this song.
Everywhere
“I swear it’s hard to think, it’s hard to breathe when you’re in the air/I try to run, but you’re everywhere I go.”
This song is pretty straightforward, talking quite obviously about a breakup and imagining your ex’s face everywhere and seeing her everywhere even when she is much far away. Once again, fans speculate that this song is about Hailee, as she was his ex-girlfriend at the time.
San Francisco
“My mind’s made up/Take me back, take me back to San Francisco/I know what we had would never last, but I can’t let go of you/I might show up on your doorstep, soaking wet/Say I’m done running from the one that I want so bad/Take me back, take me back.”
Now, this one is definitely inspired by Hailee, and fans will not accept any other claims because the song points to the Jingle Ball Tour. They were both parts that took place in San Francisco. What solidifies fans’ guesses is the fact that the two were spotted spending quality time together right before the show.
As of 2023, it has been almost five years since Niall’s separation from Hailee. In fact, Niall has been dating his new beau Amelia Woolley for almost three years now. The two began their romance back in the early months of 2020 and kept it very low-key, away from the eyes of the public for a long time.
It was only in the month of September 2021 that the couple made their public debut, appearing together for the Horan and Rose Gala. The two are going strong and are still not very public about their relationship and have only made the occasional post or two.
Also Read: Niall Horan And Amelia Woolley Relationship Timeline
Their adorable romance has definitely been fuel for some of Niall’s songs from his most recent and third solo studio album ‘The Show.’
Heaven
“God only knows where this could go/And even if our love starts to grow outta control/And you and me go up in flames/Heaven won’t be the same.”
Ah, these lyrics sure are different from Niall’s previous album. They had themes of melancholy, more or less. The song is about Niall’s love for Amelia. He expresses by saying that being with her would trump whatever heaven feels like. Such adorably lovey-dovey lyrics are surely dedicated to Amelia, and Niall has confirmed that he has written songs on his album ‘The Show’ dedicated to Amelia. Heaven definitely is one of them.
You Could Start A Cult
“You can have it all/Baby, you could start a cult, you see/Anywhere you go, I’ll be/You are so much more than beautiful to me.”
These are some intense lyrics that clearly show how deep Niall’s love for Amelia runs. The lyrics say that she is so enamoring that she can have anything she wants. Niall has admitted that this song is indeed in reference to his love for Amelia and that it is not a desperate love but a sort of love that means he considers his lover to be the best thing in the world.
If You Leave Me
“If you leave me/Oh, I think that I just might lose it completely, yeah/If you leave me.”
This song explores what he would go through if she ever left him. The direct references to Amelia are not all that distinct in this one, but one can guess that he is referring to her in the ways that he expresses how he would lose his mind if she ever left.
Never Grow Up
“Hope we still cry ’cause we’re laughin’ too much/Hope we grow old, but we never grow up/We never grow up.”
These lyrics are so wholesome you almost forget about his last album, filled with despair and grief. He expresses his possible desire to spend his forever with Amelia, never growing up, even if they grow old together.
Well, that about wraps up the list of love-interest-inspired tracks in Niall Horan’s discography! We’ll hopefully get to hear tracks from multiple albums as he grows as an artist. Till then, I guess all we can do is play his three albums on repeat.
Also Read: Why Did Kelly Clarkson Breakup? Everything To Know
