They’re the all-conquering Irish boyband that parted ways in 2012. But earlier this week, Westlife officially confirmed their reunion. On dates that have yet to be revealed, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily will embark on a tour and release new music. The cantankerous Brian McFadden won’t be involved.
The group achieved a lot during their original run, although they never got round to taking on Eurovision. But, of course, Nicky Byrne made a stab at it as a solo artist for Ireland. However, it wasn’t to be. His 2016 entry “Sunlight” was eclipsed by its rivals, finishing a lowly 15th in an 18-song semi.
Their fondness for cover versions might have earned them a reputation as professional karaoke artists, but Westlife’s back catalogue includes a significant amount of original material too. And we’re certain that most of it would have fared much better than “Sunlight” in a competitive environment. Here’s five that we think would have slayed at Eurovision.
“Flying Without Wings”
Arguably their signature single, “Flying Without Wings” was the song which established Westlife as one of the biggest pop acts of the late 90s and early 00s. The soaring ballad achieved sales of over 400,000 in the UK alone while also denting the charts in Ireland, New Zealand and much of the Nordics. It is typical Ireland at Eurovision, and would fit in nicely alongside the country’s septet of winning entries. The music video even sees the lads hark back to Johnny Logan’s heyday with all white outfits. And as Russia’s Dima Bilan and Azerbaijan’s Eldar Gasimov will attest, an all white aesthetic can still amount to a winning formula in the 21st century contest.
“My Love”
Cheesy or not, songs brimming with patriotic pride are a common occurrence at Eurovision. It might not reach the nationalistic highs of “I Love Belarus”, but Westlife’s ode to “the land where the fields are green” can only be about one place. However, the love for “My Love” is universal — it was the band’s first video to surpass 100 million views on YouTube.
“When You’re Looking Like That”
It happens every year. Fans, particularly those from Ireland and the UK, watch as their favourite entries become massive hits everywhere except in their own country. But this phenomenon isn’t unique to the song contest. In 2001, the bona fide bop that is “When You’re Looking Like That” was huge in Asia, Latin America and most of Europe. Yet the British and Irish markets mostly slept on the track. And just when you though the scenario couldn’t be more Eurovision, the band even recorded a Spanish version.
“World Of Our Own”
At Eurovision there’s nothing like a bit of dress-up to spice up proceedings. And the further removed the costumes are from the lyrical content the better. The “World Of Our Own” video saw Westlife take on the role of suave mobsters as a selection of sexy women hunted them down. The song itself was an infectiously upbeat pop number. Eurovision missed out!
“Bop Bop Baby”
Lyrically and musically, “Bop Bop Baby” isn’t up there with Westlife’s finest. But it can’t be beaten on the camp factor. A narrated prelude takes us to a time when “men were still men, women were still virgins and sex was still sexy”. Apparently this time was medieval France. In the music video we see the quintet break out of prison to rescue a woman on her wedding day. They achieve this by cartwheeling down the church aisle while wearing flouncy shirts and singing the lyrics “bop bop baby”. Lativa’s Wolves Of The Sea can’t compete.
What do you think? What other Westlife songs deserved to go to Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
Such a very nice song. I’m impressed by this track flying without wings
I’d have to go off the board and select “Us Against the World” over all five of these picks, as it’s one of the two songs I will make sure are played at the reception if/when I get married (The other is Take That’s “Rule the World.” And yes, Chris, I’ll get “When We’re Old” somewhere in there too.)
I’ll just pretend that I’m the only one who’s surprised of Brian not joining Westlife again.
I doubt the other four asked him. It would mean splitting the $$$ five ways instead of four.
They thought two out four people being able to sing is a good enough ratio.
So I’m guessing their solo efforts didn’t pan out? Go figure.
Shane was on a worldwide solo tour earlier this year, if I’m not mistaken.
Marks supporting Mariah Carey on tour
I just looked this up, he’s had his solo tour “Love Always” that got him around the UK and Asia for much of lats year up until recently.
I can very much verify that he can still attract a huge crowd of fans when he was here in the Philippines earlier this year.
i would love to see them if Byrnes microphone is on mute.
I never liked boybands except for New Kids on the block. Boybands were a charts disease and plaguing MTV as well, cheesy and insincere songs sang by boys who know nothing about anything, making girls (and eurogays?) waste their money. Westlife I hated the most. If they go to Eurovision, I go to my bathroom break or I will chew my crisps really loudly so I can’t hear them.
Luckily, this kind of music does not succeed anymore, as evidenced by Ireland 2017.
After the enormous disaster In 2016 with Nicki I don’t ever want to see him on that stage again. And boybands never score that Well in ESC.
But Padraig, isn’t Brian your best mate? XD
Weird to think that “If I Let You Go” “Fool Again” & “My Love” were written by David Kreuger (who co-penned “Undo” & “I Can’t Go On”) and Jörgen Elofsson (who co-penned “Dying to Try”) both were behind loads of pop hits in 1999-2003 as well, including “Evergreen” first recorded by Westlife then quickly covered by Pop Idol winner Will Young and “Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)” by his runner-up Gareth Gates, the duo also did several Melfest songs recently.
Now I know why I hate Undo so much. Thanks for the info, it really sounds like a Westlife song sang by a Celine Dion impersonator.
Could there be a potential ESC 2019 involvement?
I’m all for Westlife reunion, followed them and there music. After disasters in Eurovision let’s give them a chance. Like them or loathe them they could sing.
Hopefully Nicky doesn’t have Eurovision PTSD after “Sunlight.” (He was robbed, btw.)