You Could Start a Cult

"You Could Start a Cult" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, included on his third studio album The Show, released through Capitol Records on 9 June 2023. The song was written by Horan, Mark Landon, Ruel Vincent van Dijk, and its producers Joel Little, John Ryan and Julian Bunetta. A duet version of the song, with American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine, was released on 27 October 2023, as the lead single from the album's expanded edition, subtitled The Encore.[1]

"You Could Start a Cult"
Single by Niall Horan and Lizzy McAlpine
from the album The Show
Released27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
Length3:20
3:14 (duet version)
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Little
  • Ryan
  • Bunetta
Niall Horan singles chronology
"Meltdown"
(2023)
"You Could Start a Cult"
(2023)
Lizzy McAlpine singles chronology
"Call Your Mom"
(2023)
"You Could Start a Cult"
(2023)
"Older"
(2024)

Background

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Earlier in 2023, Niall Horan performed Lizzy McAlpine's breakthrough song "Ceilings" during his BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge set.[2] While announcing the duet version and the deluxe edition of his album, Horan stated about McAlpine: "I've been a huge fan of hers for a while now and am so grateful she was able to hop on the song and write a special new verse."[2]

Composition

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"You Could Start a Cult" was described by People as a "delicate love ballad".[3]

Live performance

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Published on 9 June 2023, Horan performed the song at the Sirius XM Studios for the Hits 1 Celebrity Session series.[4] The official Vevo Live performance of the solo version of the song was released on 16 June 2023.[5]

Charts

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Chart performance for "You Could Start a Cult"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[6] 22

References

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  1. ^ Brandle, Lars (27 October 2023). "Niall Horan Shares 'You Could Start A Cult' With Lizzy McAlpine, Sets 'The Show: The Encore'". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b Paul, Larisha (27 October 2023). "Niall Horan and Lizzy McAlpine Double Their Devotion With 'You Could Start a Cult' Duet". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  3. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (27 October 2023). "Niall Horan Shares 'You Could Start a Cult' Duet with Lizzy McAlpine, Announces 'The Show: The Encore' Release". People. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  4. ^ Kolgraf, Jackie (9 June 2023). "Niall Horan Explains How 'The Show' Album Was Written for Fans, Performs New Songs". Sirius XM. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  5. ^ Mier, Tomás (16 June 2023). "Niall Horan Serenades a California Landscape in 'Intimate' Vevo Performance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  6. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.