Killer on the Loose

"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	Hard rock heavy metal[1]
Length	3:55
Label	Vertigo
Songwriter(s)	Phil Lynott
Producer(s)	Kit Woolven and Thin Lizzy

Controversy

The 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

• Phil Lynott – bass guitar, vocals
• Scott Gorham – lead guitar
• Snowy White – lead guitar
• Darren Wharton – keyboards
• Brian Downey – drums

Charts

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[5]	5
UK Singles (OCC)[6]	10