Singles
#1 "You Raise Me Up" - Westlife
Westlife are a bit of an anacronism. By most accounts, the boyband movement is dead; Take That, Boyzone, Five, and Blue have all crumbled. But these guys have managed to weave themselves into the British collective, and hence score their 13th #1 hit in the UK with "You Raise Me Up," extending their chart career to over six years now. Significantly, this is their first #1 hit since the departure of Brian McFadden, who last year released his solo album and this year raised eyebrows with his much-publicized relationship with Australian pop singer Delta Goodrem. Brian leaving Westlife would be akin to Nick Carter leaving Backstreet Boys, begging the question, could the band continue? Last years Frank Sinatra covers collection, Allow Us to Be Frank, yielded no hit singles, a frankly (groan) smacked of desperation from an aging act in age where their relevance was fleeting. Coming back with yet another album of new material AND landing the first single at #1 is a testament to their strong popularity outside of the boyband trend. Media attention for member Mark Feehily coming out of the closet didn't hurt either.
The song itself is not bad, although nearly identical to other recordings. Americans will recognize this song, made famous in the US by Josh Groban, an AC (adult contemporary) fave. Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell released his own version in the UK two years ago, charting at #22. Others have recorded it too. Westlife are no strangers to remakes, having scored some of their biggest hits with them (I Have A Dream, Mandy, Uptown Girl, Against All Odds, etc.).
Next up for Westlife: A favorite for Christmas #1, a duet with Diana Ross, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me."
4. "King of the Mountain" - Kate Bush
I don't know as much about Kate Bush, but this is a cool song. I'm surprised (happily) that it has charted well.
7. "Wake Up" - Hilary Duff
This is a bit of a disappointment. Somewhere there must be a rabid group of Hilary Duff fans--likely age 8 to 13 and dedicated to Disney Radio. This song is just not that interesting and her continued success in the US and now the UK baffles me. Her "greatest hits" album, which was #1 recently in the US, is an embarrasment. She's only had two albums and only two substantial singles, "So Yesterday" and "Come Clean," both top 10, but not #1 and not particularly enduring. So of course, a greatest hits album was the logical next move. I think Scissor Sisters are ready for a greatest hits album. James Blunt too. To each his own.
8. "Just Want You to Know" - Backstreet Boys
Unlike Westlife, BSB took a break, Nick put out his poorly-received solo album, and everyone thought they were done. Not so, as we witnessed their fairly successful ressurection this year. "..Know" is the second single from Never Gone, following the also successful "Incomplete." This one is more uptempo, a little more rock, although still very top 40. BSB deserve some credit for this comeback. New Kids on the Block tried the same thing in 1995, five years after they had also apparently gone away, and weren't nearly as successful.
52 "Low C" - Supergrass
Disappointing to see this so low. Supergrass is a great group and this is a great song. Their album, Road to Rouen, is a mature turn for the band. From what I hear, Supergrass used to be a party band, best known in the US for "Alright," which appeared in the film Clueless.
68 "Heart Like a Wheel / Old Town" - The Corrs
No love for them. Remember in 1998/1999 when they were HUGE?
In albums, no surprise that Mr. Robbie Williams takes the top spot with his 6th album, Intensive Care.
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