News Archive April - June 2002

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Despite being the group's first self-penned single, Bop Bop Baby entered the UK charts on Sunday at number 5. It's Westlife's lowest chart entry, only the second of their 12 single releases so far not to reach #1 (the other single not to debut at the top spot being What Makes A Man.) Bop Bop Baby is the fifth single to be taken from the World Of Our Own album, which has sold millions of copies world-wide. It looks likely that the next Westlife release will be a brand-new track to be included on the forthcoming Greatest Hits album, since the group have denied rumours that they will be releasing a duet with Vinnie Jones as a Christmas single later this year. In an interview with Capital FM in London earlier in the week, Nicky stated: "I've seen the mid-weeks and we're a bit behind. So maybe not a No.1 this time, but not to worry, it's all about longevity. So we're happy enough where it is. There was stiff competition this week. Eminem's got his first single from his album, then there's Atomic Kitten and Ronan's record is huge as well. Everybody that has the album more or less has the single so we're not complaining. It's out there and we're just hoping for the best. We've got a brand new album coming out in September with a lot of great hits, and of course we're going back to America as well during the summer to release our first album over there, so we're not going anywhere at the moment." The final UK top 5 for the week 21-26 May 2002 was as follows: This Wk Last Wk No. of Wks Title/Artist/Label 1 - 1 WITHOUT ME / EMINEM / INTERSCOPE 2 1 2 JUST A LITTLE / LIBERTY X / V2 3 - 1 IT'S OK / ATOMIC KITTEN / INNOCENT 4 2 3 IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES / RONAN KEATING / POLYDOR 5 - 1 BOP BOP BABY / WESTLIFE / S

Mid-week charts suggest that Westlife's 12th single, Bop Bop Baby, may be beaten to the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts this Sunday by Eminem's new single, Without Me. If Westlife were to make it to the top of the charts, Bop Bop Baby would be their 11th UK number one single. News also out this week states that Westlife will team up with Vinnie Jones (who plays the bad guy in the Bop Bop Baby video) for a Christmas single at the end of the year. The single in question is said to be a cover of Dance To The Music which was originally recorded by 1970s soul outfit Sly and The Family Stone. The song will be the first single from an album of duets where Vinnie sings with Denise Van Outen and Billie Piper among others. The duet with Westlife is reported to have come about after Vinnie's appearance in the Bop Bop Baby video. His manager stated: "They got talking about it during the video. Westlife are up for it and Vinnie can't wait. Let's just say he's got a very unique voice." A source close to Westlife said: "The lads had a right laugh with Vinnie and reckon they're on for another Christmas No1." [source: dotmusic.com ]

No doubt you'll be aware that Westlife are currently in the middle of their 'World Of Our Own' tour... but that's not all they've got lined up this month... their 12th single, 'Bop Bop Baby', is out in the UK on May 20th - possibly being Westlife's 11th UK number one single! See the tracklisting on our discography page & see the video here! Nicky has been recently involved with recording a cover of the song 'Here Comes the Good Times' (originally written by Dublin group A-House) for Ireland's Official World Cup song. Nicky got together with other prominent Irish celebrities Mick McCarthy, Aslan's Christy Dignam, Dustin the Turkey and a couple of surprise guests to record the track, which was released on May 10th in Ireland. The single is in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Ireland. In other news, Westlife have announced that they will be speaking at Oxford University's famed Debating Society next month. The groups will be quizzed by students as to what it's like being the greatest pop group ever. The boys are said to be looking forward to the event. Other music stars to come before the group include Michael Jackson, Phil Collins and Jon Bon Jovi. The WL guys have also confirmed to join Ant & Dec's team on this year's charity 'Soccer Six' football match, held in two locations: Sunday, May 19, 2002 in Anfield, Liverpool and Sunday, May 26, 2002 in Stamford Bridge, London. They join other groups such as Blue and Bellefire to compete in the match. [sources: 2fm.ie & dotmusic.com]