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"Killer on the Loose" is a song by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, released as a single in September 1980. It was written by Phil Lynott, and is from their 1980 album Chinatown.[2] The song was a chart hit, peaking at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] and No. 5 on the Irish Singles Chart.
| "Killer on the Loose" | |
|---|---|
 UK single sleeve artwork by Jim Fitzpatrick | |
| Single by Thin Lizzy | |
| from the album Chinatown | |
| B-side | "Don't Play Around" |
| Released | September 1980 |
| Recorded | 1980 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:55 |
| Label | Vertigo |
| Songwriter(s) | Phil Lynott |
| Producer(s) | Kit Woolven and Thin Lizzy |
Controversy
editThe song, in which Lynott took the persona of Jack the Ripper, received much controversy. The single was released amidst the Yorkshire Ripper murders and many members of the British public, largely women, were outraged by the song's lyrics and its references to the Ripper.[4] A music video, in which Lynott is dressed in a Ripper style trench coat surrounded by scantily clad women, generated even more controversy when it was released in 1980.[citation needed]
Personnel
edit- Phil Lynott – bass guitar, vocals
- Scott Gorham – lead guitar
- Snowy White – lead guitar
- Darren Wharton – keyboards
- Brian Downey – drums
Charts
edit| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[5] | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 10 |
References
edit- ^ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "Some Kind of Monster: Metal". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 570. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
- ^ "Chinatown – Thin Lizzy | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "killer on the loose | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ Late Late Show interview with Phil Lynott, 1981
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Killer on the Loose". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2024.