Following the band's hiatus in 2016, Horan signed a recording deal as a solo artist with Capitol Records and has since released three albums: Flicker (2017), Heartbreak Weather (2020) and The Show (2023) Flicker debuted at number one in Ireland and the US, and reached the top three in Australia and the UK. The album's first two singles, " This Town " and "Slow Hands", reached the top twenty in several countries. Heartbreak Weather was released in March 2020, and debuted at number one in the UK, Ireland and Mexico, and at number four in the US.
Horan's music style has been categorized as soft rock, pop, and pop rock, while also having elements of country and folk. His tenor voice has been described as "sweet, high, [and] slightly grainy." Horan grew up listening to rock bands like the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, and crooners including Rat Pack members Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He is also inspired by singer-songwriters such as Damien Rice, Taylor Swift, and Bruce Springsteen.
Fool's Gold
Niall Horan Lyrics
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You're the shining distraction that makes me fly home
I′m like a boat on the water
You're the raise on the waves that calm my mind
Oh, every time
And I know in my heart
You're not a constant star
And yeah I′ve let you use me from that day
That we first met
But I′m not done yet
Falling for you
Fool's gold
And I knew that you turn it on
For everyone you met
But I don′t regret
Falling for you
Fool's gold
I′m the first to admit that I'm reckless
I get lost in your beauty
And I can′t see two feet in front of me
And I know in my heart
You're just a moving part
And yeah I've let you use me from that day
That we first met
But I′m not done yet
Falling for you
Fool′s gold
And I knew that you turn it on
For everyone you met
But I don't regret
Falling for you
Fool′s gold
Yeah I know your love's not real
That′s not the way it feels
That's not the way it feels
And yeah I′ve let you use me from that day
That we first met
But I'm not done yet
Falling for you
Fool's gold
And I knew that you turn it on
For everyone you met
But I don′t regret
Falling for you
Fool′s gold, oh
In Niall Horan's song Fool's Gold, the lyrics are about being in a relationship that is not going to last. The use of the bird on the wire and the boat on the water metaphors convey the idea of feeling vulnerable in the relationship, yet still being drawn to it. The person is acknowledging that they are being used and that the love is not real, but they continue to fall for the person anyway.
The chorus, "And I knew that you turn it on for everyone you met, but I don't regret falling for you, fool's gold," shows that the person is aware that their partner may be putting on a façade for others, but they still find themselves falling for them. The use of the term "fool's gold" implies that the love they are feeling is not genuine, and that they are aware of it.
The line "And I can't see two feet in front of me" highlights the confusion and lack of direction that the person is feeling in the relationship. They are aware of the situation, but they are still unable to resist the pull of their partner.
Overall, the lyrics of Fool's Gold convey the idea of being in a relationship that is not real, but being unable to resist it. The metaphors of the bird and the boat express the vulnerability and uncertainty of the situation, while the chorus highlights the person's awareness of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like a crow on a wire
I feel stuck, but you're the shining distraction that makes me happy
You're the raise on the waves that calm my mind
You bring balance to my thoughts and emotions
And I know in my heart, you're not a constant star
Deep down I know you're inconsistent
But I'm not done yet falling for you, Fool's gold
I'm still falling for you, even though I know it might not be right
And I knew that you turn it on for everyone you met
You show your best self to everyone, including me
I get lost in your beauty and I can't see two feet in front of me
I'm mesmerized by you, and sometimes lose sight of what's ahead
And I know in my heart, you're just a moving part
I know you're not a permanent fixture in my life
Yeah, I know your love's not real, that's not the way it feels
I am aware that our relationship might not be genuine, but I still have strong emotions towards you
But I don't regret falling for you, Fool's gold
Even if our love is not genuine, I don't regret falling for you
Writer(s): Zayn Malik, Maureen Mcdonald, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Jamie Scott, Niall Horan
Contributed by Dylan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.