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Posted by: TTer 12th October 2015, 04:22 AM

Which is better ?
Whose sales are more?

Posted by: pippa 12th October 2015, 06:30 PM

Very simply, Take That.

Posted by: jay727 12th October 2015, 07:53 PM

Haha! It really is that simple.

Posted by: dylandog 12th October 2015, 09:34 PM

Well on a TT forum chances are most would say: Best TT. As for sales, as a guess I would say Westlife have sold more world wide.

Posted by: TTer 13th October 2015, 02:29 AM

QUOTE(dylandog @ Oct 12 2015, 09:34 PM)

Posted by: TTer 13th October 2015, 02:33 AM

QUOTE(pippa @ Oct 12 2015, 06:30 PM)

Posted by: JamesKTBSPA 13th October 2015, 03:43 AM

宝贝好棒

Posted by: JamesKTBSPA 13th October 2015, 03:50 AM

QUOTE(dylandog @ Oct 12 2015, 01:34 PM)

Posted by: TTer 13th October 2015, 09:32 AM

QUOTE(JamesKTBSPA @ Oct 13 2015, 03:43 AM)

Posted by: jay727 13th October 2015, 06:07 PM

Don't forget that Westlife were releasing for like 10 years every year. Yet worldwide they have been surpassed sales wise.

Posted by: slowdown73 13th October 2015, 10:35 PM

TT are far superior than Westlife. No competition there at all.

Posted by: mr_pmt 13th October 2015, 10:57 PM

Being crushed with a steamroller is preferable to Westlife.

Posted by: Aphrodite 14th October 2015, 12:06 AM

I would think Take That have higher sales than Westlife. In the UK its probably close but Take That would have really closed the gap if there was one when they achieved 4 albums selling well over 2 million each, those 4 albums would account for almost 9 million album sales alone, that is not taking into consideration all their other album releases which have all sold well.

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 05:32 AM

QUOTE(jay727 @ Oct 13 2015, 06:07 PM)

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 05:36 AM

QUOTE(Aphrodite @ Oct 14 2015, 12:06 AM)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 14th October 2015, 06:50 AM

Musically no contest - TT have more musical scope through many popular music genres and different styles of songs and also far stronger individuals and personalities and creativity 90's included. They challenge themselves and change creatively pushing their music forward. Westlife stuck rigidly to a winning formula. TT even in the 90's stepped out of their comfort zone (Sure etc). They were also more critically acclaimed namely through Gary legitimising them as a credible act who could create/write their own music. They inspired both Backstreet Boys and NSYNC (had same manager) who witnessed first hand their dominance in Europe/Asia in '95/'96. This has been referenced by multiple members of both bands in interviews and autobiographies. NSYNC were shown footage and told 'this is the benchmark' and level of performance/success in Europe to achieve as were BSB. So in part inspired if only mildly the biggest selling boyband of all time. Sales wise WL may be more but in terms of cultural impact it's definitely TT. They were the first to take it to that level in Britain and Europe.

In terms of sales it's a grey area for TT and only themselves (Gary at least) and NMS will truly know through audits. Keep in mind certifications/sales became FAR more known and easily available with the boom of the internet in 1999 onwards (Westlife first year) articles and databases. Many of which started in the year 2000.
Although TT popularity in early to mid 90's has been noted in South America and Mexico and moderately in Canada (x 2 top 40 albums)/briefly America (one top ten hit) in impact chart positions/sales information for TT is far harder to attain than it is for Westlife even though we are talking a few years difference.
Worldwide I'd say it's very close and if a new Greatest Hits album sells from TT sells I believe that would almost certainly push them over Westlife. Westlife were also around when boybands were a proven and tried/tested formula and the height of it globally being 99-00 due to American dominance of Backstreet Boys/NSYNC in USA. Instant returns of success due to a proven formula and structure. Any boyband could sell well regardless of quality during these years.
What we do know however is that Take That have by far sold more records in the UK and across Europe.
Take That have sold by millions more records across all of Europe (excluding Ireland,Sweden,Norway). TT were the biggest pop band in Europe multiple Eurochart #1's. Westlife were average top 20 at best and nations like Spain,Portugal,Italy,France they never charted or were low minimal positions. Fact is in 1995 TT were the biggest boyband in the World a single #1 in 31 nations and an album which charted on every continent and at least top 10/20 (USA #69). At no point have Westlife had a global impact which has included North America also.

UK - TT album 13.3 mill min / singles 9.3 mill
Westlife album 11.1 mill min / singles 6.0 mill

Posted by: jay727 14th October 2015, 07:15 AM

Absolutely, Nirvana. Very insightful. Thank you for sharing.

Musically as well, a lot, if not all of Westlife's hits were just covers (you raise me up, uptown girl, against all odds etc)

As you say TT continue to reinvent themselves - I could never see Westlife releasing a record like III, let alone something like Progress!

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 07:51 AM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 14 2015, 06:50 AM)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 14th October 2015, 10:42 AM

In Germany based on certifications which like UK are sales the minimum is:

TT: 1.9 mill albums (100,000/500,000/400,000/500,000/200,000/200,000) / singles: 800,000 (x 3 singles certed BFG 400,000/Babe 250,000/Patience 150,000)

Westlife: 450,000 (150,000/150,000/150,000) / singles: No certified singles.

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 12:51 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 14 2015, 10:42 AM)

Posted by: iamstrong 14th October 2015, 12:54 PM

I've read somewhere that Take That sold 45 million records and Westlife sold 50 million. TT will probably overtake WL in the next few years.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 14th October 2015, 01:40 PM

I liked Westlife 1999-2002 when they were original songs before the laziness of becoming the worlds most glorified covers band. Mind you 99-02 they had already released quite a few covers already.
Question is if/when they reform in future after the standard success in UK/Ireland of a repackaged Greatest Hits and accompanying tour combo. Will they have any lasting success? I have only read bad things/opinions from those outside their fanbase. Unless it's just where I am in the UK that they aren't held in strong regard and if mentioned seem to provoke agitation and usually comments about what is wrong with music. Is their legacy tainted? Even waiting 10 years?
TT ended on a high and huge goodwill whereas I remember reading one article (The Guardian?) celebrating for music the day after Westlife split announcement and saying Westlife were for people who don't even like music. Articles weren't favourable from what I remember.

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 02:20 PM

QUOTE(iamstrong @ Oct 14 2015, 12:54 PM)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 14th October 2015, 02:39 PM

I think It might be true as it can't be denied Westlife were huge in Asia especially Indonesia an the Philippines. I know this as there is a Westlife fan on another forum from the Philippines who is quick to point this out. In Asia the first three albums and greatest hits sold well then sales fell for them. Aside from Taiwan where TT have sold more albums I'm unsure about other Asian countries as cert info for 90-96 is hard to come by. Take That were definitely huge in Asia as the Backstreet Boys radio advert across Asia was ''Forget Take That! Now take this...the Backstreet Boys!' for their first album after TT split in March and they released in May.

One thing I have noticed about Westlife fans on other forums is they are happy to talk about any boyband but once Take That and their success in the UK is mentioned a lot of facts including the huge in Asia card come out and they seem very anti TT and critical. Most don't understand why WL are criticised a lot throughout the forums but not TT. 'What about Take That they were a naff boyband also' or along those lines. Not all but vast majority I don't know if they never believed the UK sales would ever be caught but it does seem that way. A lot of times they can't understand why so many of general public non fans don't like Westlife but do TT. The Gary Barlow is an over-rated songwriter card also comes out but at least he wrote for them from a young age and gave them a voice. Some of their fans even believe he deliberately wrote a dud in Lighthouse to end their career with...

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 03:31 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 14 2015, 02:39 PM)

Posted by: TTer 14th October 2015, 03:43 PM

In Asia,TT has more sales in Japan,North Korea,China(Taiwan & Hong Kong) than Westlife while Westlife is more popular in Malaysia,Indonesia and Philippines.

Posted by: milly 14th October 2015, 06:55 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 14 2015, 05:39 PM)

Posted by: jay727 14th October 2015, 09:14 PM

Yeah, Gary wrote the song around the BW era I think I remember reading in the first couple of recording sessions with John Shanks to see if they would work well with him on their new record.
I also think i remember it saying on Gary's website before he revamped it that he was surprised the label wanted to use it.
It's an ok song, but more of a b-side if anything. Certainly shouldn't have been used to launch a GH record. Though it did make the top 40 when songs like Get Ready For It, Let in the Sun and even Face to Face couldn't...

Posted by: Regina 14th October 2015, 09:22 PM

Backstreet Boys wipe the floor with them in terms of sales and quality tbh

Buy Nick Carter's new single I Will Wait on itunes.

Posted by: JamesKTBSPA 14th October 2015, 10:50 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 14 2015, 06:39 AM)

Posted by: JamesKTBSPA 14th October 2015, 10:52 PM

QUOTE(Regina @ Oct 14 2015, 01:22 PM)

Backstreet Boys wipe the floor with them in terms of sales and quality tbh

Buy Nick Carter's new single I Will Wait on itunes.

Posted by: TTer 15th October 2015, 01:02 AM

QUOTE(milly @ Oct 14 2015, 06:55 PM)

To be fair, they're not so far from the truth Aside from the fact that I quite like that song - I'd probably like it even more if it were sung by someone with some kind of life form in their eyes -, Gary did say that he had shelved that song and the label just stumbled on it and decided to go with it for WL. It's not like Gary actually wrote that song with WL in mind. If they were foolish enough to accept it, now their fans should just stop moaning.
I don't DISLIKE WL, I just don't find anything to like about them
There's one thing I can't forgive them for and that's that they ruined You Raise Me Up. I love that song when sung by Josh Groban, I find it meh when sung by WL.
They could have sold 100 million more copies than TT and I still would have preferred TT. It's rare that I like just singers. I like to know that whatever an artist is singing comes from him/her.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 15th October 2015, 07:24 AM

Backstreet Boys were good that can't be denied. In Asia loads of boybands were big apparently including the ones in the UK who weren't truly huge. Boyzone,A1,911 but even groups like Point Break and Ultra also. Does anyone know if Take That's 'rivals' East 17 were big in any Asian countries?

Posted by: jay727 15th October 2015, 08:24 AM

Backstreet were great, the Millennium album sold something like 30million worldwide I think.

Not sure about East 17. I think I remember Stay Another Day doing well in Japan, but then so did a lot of Take That's singles.

Posted by: TTer 15th October 2015, 01:56 PM

QUOTE(jay727 @ Oct 15 2015, 08:24 AM)

Posted by: pippa 15th October 2015, 05:44 PM

Are Backstreet Boys the biggest selling boyband or have One Direction taking over the title.

Posted by: Regina 15th October 2015, 08:02 PM

BSB are on around 130 million records WW, so I think they have it in the bag still.

Posted by: jay727 15th October 2015, 09:04 PM

Incredibly impressive. TT still have alot of sales in them, both single and album.

Posted by: TTer 16th October 2015, 03:02 AM

BSB is the best boyband in the world.
TT is the best boyband in Europe.
Nsync is the best boyband in America.
I think these three boyband are the best forever.

Posted by: TTer 28th February 2016, 06:50 AM

I'm back!

Posted by: milly 28th February 2016, 03:53 PM

I was a BSB fan (actually a Nick Carter fan when I was a kid, shamefully ), but the last I heard from them was when they released Incomplete. I know they have released stuff since then, but I honestly can't name one single song of theirs from this era. Personally, for me, BSB are a teenage crush and nothing more. Certainly, I can't say any of their songs holds a deep meaning for me. They probably were the biggest boyband in the world at one point, but right now, I think they're exclusively a USA phenomenon. But I could be wrong and maybe the rest of Europe has kept the pace with them.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 28th February 2016, 05:08 PM

I liked Backstreet Boys (though much preferred NSYNC). I found the two of them stuck in a sound and formula however and they never challenged themselves. Even as a young boyband all TT albums were different with songs and styles ranging across a whole host of genres.

BSB last album In a World Like This in 2013 sold 800,000 copies Worldwide.

As far as Europe is concerned the album went to #1 in the Netherlands and Switzerland (1-12 drop) however it holds the unfortunate accolade of #1 with fewest weeks on chart for both Holland/Switzerland and wasn't a huge seller. No certifications in any European nation for that album.

Bear in mind the last album was also hyped as a reunion record with Kevin returning. Albums before then as a four have struggled across Europe. Only in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland were those two 4 man BSB albums top ten.

The latest reunion album also went top ten in Spain, Germany (#3 unknown chart run but 6 weeks in top 100), Austria (8-48 big drop) and Norway (8-40+ big drop).

Their biggest fall in popularity as far as Europe is concerned compared to their glory days appears to be Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland (#81 last record) and France (#144 last record). UK they are still charting similar positions for albums (11-40 normally) but aren't anywhere near the sales they used to have.

It will be very interesting to see where a new album charts in Europe for them. I'm guessing possibly another high first week charting and then major free fall down charts.

Singles wise they haven't had a hit across Europe since Incomplete in 2005.

Going back to Westlife I think the hardest thing for a Westlife fan in Britain from my experience to take is the fact TT overtook them on album and singles sales. Another thing is the fact TT have critical and general acclaim from critics and the public which Westlife regardless of sales have never had. I don't think Westlife could have foreseen TT coming back and becoming the biggest selling boyband of all time in the UK.
Remember before Take That came back in 2005 Westlife were MILLIONS of UK records sold ahead of Boyzone and the rest TT included and quite possibly thought this would never be caught in Britain or at least not so soon. No one could have predicted TT would have x4 2 million plus selling albums in Britain.

UK album sales (minimum millions based on certification which in UK is sales)

1.Take That 13.3 (TT 3.3 million albums sold in 90's)
2.Westlife 11.7
3.Boyzone 6
4.One Direction/Blue 3.3
5.JLS 2.3

BSB 1.5
NSYNC 200,000

Posted by: pippa 29th February 2016, 03:33 PM

I had believed Take That had higher UK album sales. I had believed the 13 million was since they reformed. Combined Beautiful World and The Ultimate Collection account for almost 5 million.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 29th February 2016, 04:22 PM

They all have higher album sales this is minimum based on certifications which in UK are sales. So III being platinum 300,000 was added to Everything Changes 4x Plat 1.2 mill and all certified albums etc.
All of them have sold more than above but this is the minimum number of albums they have sold based on certs. *Updated when new certs achieved*

Take That

Take That & Party - 600,000
Everything Changes - 1.2 mill
Nobody Else - 600,000
Greatest Hits - 900,000
Never Forget - Ultimate Collection - 2.4 mill
The Platinum Collection - 60,000
Beautiful World - 2.7 mill
The Circus - 2.1 mill
Greatest Day Live - 300,000
Progress - 2.4 mill
Progress Live - 100,000
III - 300,000
Wonderland - 100,000

Total = 13.7 million minimum (8.2 Robbie involvement / 5.5 without)

Westlife

Westlife - 1.5 mill
Coast to Coast - 1.8 mill
World of Our Own - 1.2 mill
Unbreakable Greatest Hits - 1.8 mill
Turnaround - 600,000
Allow Us to be Frank - 600,000
Face To Face - 1.2 mill
Love Album - 900,000
Back Home - 900,000
Where We Are - 600,000
Gravity - 300,000
Greatest Hits - 600,000

Total = 12 million minimum (7.5 Brian involvement / 4.5 without)

Posted by: pippa 29th February 2016, 07:21 PM

From estimates and knowledge i got from other places i will add the sales i think the albums have achieved in reality.

Take That & Party - 600,000
Everything Changes - 1.2 mill
Nobody Else - 600,000
Greatest Hits - 900,000 (1.1 million)
Never Forget - Ultimate Collection - 2.1 mill (2.3 million)
The Platinum Collection - 60,000
Beautiful World - 2.7 mill
The Circus - 2.1 mill
Greatest Day Live - 300,000 (700,000)
Progress - 2.4 mill
Progress Live - 100,000
III - 300,000 (540,000)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 29th February 2016, 08:26 PM

That seems all good except Greatest Day live the British certs are automatic and that album isn't two times platinum meaning sales of 600,000 so it can't be 700,000 I would say 550,000 possibly.
Take That & Party has been only 30,000 away from 3x plat (900,000) for years.
Clearly though people bought The Platinum Collection which went silver (60,000) and that was the three first studio albums all together that collection.

Posted by: pippa 29th February 2016, 10:30 PM

I am surprised The Platinum Collection has sold that much, its much higher than i thought, considering it was a release that never charted. It is news that i welcome. If i remember correctly, Greatest Day live was released the same time as Where We Are By Westlife. I firmly remember thinking how great it was for a live release by Take That to outsell a new studio release from Westlife.

Posted by: jay727 1st March 2016, 06:51 PM

Progress live has sold 220k, Nobody Else is on 680k, BW is 2.9m and Circus is 2.2m.

Also remember reading somewhere that everything changes has sold 1.4m

Posted by: nirvanamusic 1st March 2016, 08:19 PM

It would be great if Take That & Party and Everything Changes crept over to next cert so it is clear to see on database. I don't think anyone is buying either individually but both are so close to being recognised higher sales.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 2nd March 2016, 01:38 PM

Speaking of Westlife Keith from Boyzone and Bryan of Westlife have announced a tour of Boyzlife with potential members of both groups coming on board. It worked for McBusted but am unsure if this will be a success.

Posted by: milly 2nd March 2016, 03:47 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Mar 2 2016, 03:38 PM)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 2nd March 2016, 04:20 PM

I agree it reeks of desperation especially considering only one of each group is involved. I also think it will harm any chance Westlife want of a 10 year TT style reunion. If their name is already associated with something that isn't a success (this may be though) then it's already lowering them before a potential triumphant return.

Posted by: jay727 2nd March 2016, 07:21 PM

Oh gosh, what were they thinking!

Love the covers comment Milly

Posted by: pippa 3rd March 2016, 04:22 PM

It sounds like a disaster if only some of them join in. That said, i dont believe it is true, Westlife would make great money alone from a re-union concert as they have yet to do it. Boyzone have on the other hand done so.

Posted by: milly 3rd March 2016, 05:52 PM

It's only 2 of them, pippa. This sounds like a car crash, no matter how many members get involved, imo.

Posted by: Bond Bug 4th March 2016, 05:22 PM

Take That and One Direction would be the way to go. It would be called Take Direction and feature Jason Orange and Zahn Malik.

Posted by: milly 4th March 2016, 05:56 PM

QUOTE(Bond Bug @ Mar 4 2016, 07:22 PM)

Posted by: elisabeth1973 5th March 2016, 02:54 AM

does anyone know what TT are doing in Bangkok and Singapore. I saw tweets about Mark and I knew they were going, but I did not see anything about a gig not even in the TT FB group. Maybe it was a private gig?

Posted by: milly 5th March 2016, 05:28 AM

It was a proper gig, Elisabeth. The Singapore gig was announced in January, if I remember correctly and the Bankok one in February.
Take That were received very well in Bangkok and they got an amazing review for their gig.

Posted by: elisabeth1973 5th March 2016, 12:08 PM

thanks milly, was it a huge or intimate gig in Bangkok, as rhe tt groups I am in not even mention it. I like that they did ir anyway

Posted by: milly 5th March 2016, 05:55 PM

We're talking about them on the main thread and there are lots of pictures on Gary's twitter.

I wouldn't say the gig was huge, but the crowd wasn't small either - there were quite a few fans there for the boys, considering they haven't been to Singapore in 20 years.
I'm surprised the TT groups you're in don't mention the gigs, cause my twitter and fb timelines have been full of pics and videos from both gigs.

Posted by: Bond Bug 7th March 2016, 01:54 AM

QUOTE(milly @ Mar 4 2016, 05:56 PM)

And the 2 of them would be called "Take Direction" or "That One". Either one sounds better/funnier than "Boyslife"

Posted by: nirvanamusic 21st May 2016, 04:10 PM

I get the feeling now it's 4 years since Westlife split and with all their solo careers not doing well they will come back before 10 years which they initially said. Nothing has been said and this is purely my own speculation based on how things are turning out.

If they do it would be gutting for them to overtake TT on sales in the UK after TT repositioned themselves as the rightful biggest boyband ever in the UK.

TT 13.7 mil albums / 10.2 mil singles = 23.9 million
Westlife 12 mil albums / 7 mil singles = 19 million

Do you think Westlife will overtake TT UK sales if they come back? I seem to remember the music press/general public being glad of their demise so am guessing it wouldn't have the same backing as TT potentially?
If they came back with any covers in this day and age they would be slaughtered! I know that much.

Posted by: dylan62 22nd May 2016, 03:17 PM

I think they'll be some interest in a Westlife comeback and sales will probably be solid but not fantastic. The music industry, particularly the singles chart, has moved on since they split up. I think a tour will sell very well though.

I doubt they'll over take TT and the difficulty they've had in forging solo careers shows just how hard the industry is at the moment.

Posted by: jay727 22nd May 2016, 05:29 PM

I don't think they'll be any interest to be honest.

They aren't relevant anymore and I can't see them coming back with any material to make me think the contrary.

Posted by: pippa 23rd May 2016, 07:56 PM

If Westlife were to reform i could seem having a successful tour, a relatively decent selling Greatest Hits but that's about it. I would not worry about them catching up on Take That's sales. Take That will be adding sales of Cry and the next lead single from the album to their tally. They will also be adding the sales of the upcoming new album which should at least manage platinum and 300,000 and not to forget next years Greatest Hits which i believe will sell strongly.

Posted by: Kath 23rd May 2016, 08:09 PM

QUOTE(pippa @ May 23 2016, 08:56 PM)

Posted by: milly 25th May 2016, 09:58 AM

QUOTE(jay727 @ May 22 2016, 08:29 PM)

Posted by: pippa 25th May 2016, 02:35 PM

Westlife are also very dependent on someone providing them with a good song or cover versions. This is where Take That always managed to shine and were self reliant with new material.

Posted by: TTer 8th September 2016, 01:48 AM

Album sales (minimum) based on certifications

Take That
UK: 13.7 Million
Germany: 1.9 Million
Italy: 650,000 (Greatest Hits '96 Certification unknown)
Taiwan: 435,000
Japan: 390,000
Ireland: 300,000 (00's only)
Netherlands: 300,000
USA: 288,000 (Billboard magazine)
Sweden: 170,000
Switzerland: 155,000
Spain: 150,000
Austria: 120,000
Canada: 120,000
France: 120,000
Denmark: 115,000 (00's only)
Australia: 70,000
Portugal: 40,000
Argentina: 30,000
Finland: 28,000
Norway: 25,000
Brazil: 11,500 (00's only)

90's sales for Ireland, Belgium, Mexico, Israel, Chile (featured in Billboard magazine as top selling market for Nobody Else) and Denmark are missing as well as x1 for Italy (album was #1 there)

Minimum total based on these national figures (doesn't account for full global total) = 19 million

Westlife
UK: 11.1 million
Indonesia: 1.6 million
Ireland: 800,000
Philippines: 770,000
Malaysia: 500,000
Germany: 450,000
Sweden: 440,000
Mexico: 225,000
Japan: 211,570
Australia: 210,000
New Zealand: 210,000
Denmark: 200,000
Korea: 200,000
Netherlands: 170,000
Taiwan: 150,000
Brazil: 116,000
Norway: 100,000
South Africa: 100,000
Thailand: 100,000
Singapore: 75,000
Switzerland: 60,000
Austria: 20,000
Hong Kong: 20,000
India: 10,000

Minimum total based on these national figures (doesn't account for full global total) = 17.7 million

TT wins

Posted by: nirvanamusic 8th September 2016, 09:12 AM

Ok this is a LOT of information album/single all in one!

What's interesting is they have done well in different parts of the World. That said TT sales in places like India and Asia aside from Japan/Taiwan are unknown as it's much easier to find info for Westlife as a 1999 onwards act (internet boom era).

Taking out the countries mentioned where TT sales can't be found but going for countries where the information is known reads like this in terms of higher album sales in countries:
As of 2014 (can't find 2016 they rarely change) top 20 music market size in brackets.

ALBUMS - Country by country who has sold more where information for both is available (chart positions/sales). See above why TT at disadvantage for info for certain nations so that nation not assigned to either band.

Take That

USA, (1)
Japan, (2)
Germany, (3)
UK, (4)
France, (5)
Canada, (7)
Italy, (10)
Spain, (13)
Austria, (16)
Switzerland, (18)
Taiwan,
Netherlands,
Argentina,
Portugal,
Finland,
Hungary,
Denmark (TT 90's certs unknown so TT almost certainly higher),
Belgium.

TT: 10 of top 20 markets including the top 5 largest music markets more albums sold than Westlife.

Westlife

Australia, (6)
Brazil, (9)
Sweden, (12)
Mexico, (14)
Norway, (15)
Ireland,
New Zealand,
Hong Kong,
Iceland,
Malaysia,
Indonesia,
Philippines.

Westlife: 5 of top 20 markets


ALBUMS

World Chart albums (2004 onwards) top 10's only

Take That.

Beautiful World. 5 weeks top 10. #4.
The Circus. 4 weeks top 10. #2. (Britney Spears - Circus #1)
Progress. 8 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
III. 1 week top 10. #8.
Wonderland. 1 week top 10. #3.
Odyssey. 1 week top 10. #5.

20 weeks top 10/1 week #1.

Westlife.

Face To Face. 1 week top 10. #4.
The Love Album. 1 week top 10. #8.
Back Home. 1 week top 10. #8.
Spectrum. 1 week top 10. #6.

4 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

16 weeks difference in top 10 between the two. (2004 onwards)

European Hot 100 (1984 -2010) Top 10's only

Take That

Everything Changes. 22 weeks top 10. #5.
Nobody Else. 10 weeks top 10. #1 (5 weeks).
Greatest Hits. 10 weeks top 10. #1 (4 weeks).
Beautiful World. 16 weeks top 10. #3.
The Circus. 7 weeks top 10. #5.
Progress. 4 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week) - Progress was last #1 on the chart before it closed.

69 weeks top 10/10 weeks #1.

Westlife

Westlife. 2 weeks top 10. #10.
Coast To Coast. 6 weeks top 10. #9.
World Of Our Own. 6 weeks top 10. #5.
Unbreakable - The Greatest Hits. 6 weeks top 10. #3.
Turnaround. 4 weeks top 10. #5.
Allow Us To Be Frank. 1 week top 10. #6.
Face To Face. 3 weeks top 10. #5.
The Love Album. 5 weeks top 10. #5.
Back Home. 3 weeks top 10. #6.

36 weeks top 10/0 weeks #1.

33 weeks difference in European top 10 between the two. Taking into account also that TT 90's albums totalled 42 weeks in Euro top 10 which alone is more than WL whole career and before the 2005 reunion it's pretty safe to say had certs for missing Euro countries been made available for early/mid 90's they would have been higher than WL. Denmark, Belgium unknown etc etc.)

Zimbabwe - Top 20

SINGLES

Pray-11.9.93. #11, 3 weeks
Back For Good-26.6.95, #7, 13 weeks
Never Forget-11.9.95, #9, 2 weeks

ALBUMS

7 Aug 1995: No.8 ~ Nobody Else.

USA

TAKE THAT

Singles

Back For Good: Hot 100 #7.
Everybody Hurts (Helping Haiti): Hot 100 Bubbling Under: #21 (121 overall).

Back For Good - other US charts

Adult Contemporary: #2 (Sophie B. Hawkins - As I Lay Me Down #1).
Adult Pop Songs: #3.
Pop Songs: #9.
Radio Songs: #12.

Albums

Nobody Else: #69.

Top Heatseakers: #1.

Canada

Singles

It Only Takes a Minute: #20.
Back For Good: #1 (2 weeks).
Pray: #55.
How Deep Is Your Love: #80.
Patience: #21.
Everybody Hurts (Helping Haiti): #59.

Albums

Nobody Else: #23.
Greatest Hits: #38.

WESTLIFE

USA

Singles

Swear It Again: Hot 100 #20.
Everybody Hurts (Helping Haiti): Hot 100 Bubbling Under: #21 (121 overall).

Swear It Again - other US charts

Pop Songs: #21.
Adult Contemporary: #22.
Radio Songs: #83.

Albums

Westlife: #129.

Canada

Singles

Swear It Again: #28.
Everybody Hurts (Helping Haiti): #59.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SINGLES

World Chart (1955 - Present) Top 10's only

Take That

Back For Good. 11 weeks top 10. #1 (3 weeks).
Never Forget. 4 weeks top 10. #8.
How Deep Is Your Love. 11 weeks top 10. #2. (Everything But The Girl - Missing #1).
Patience. 6 weeks top 10. #5.

32 weeks top 10/3 weeks #1.

Westlife

My Love. 1 week top 10. #10.

1 week top 10/0 weeks.

31 weeks difference in Global top 10 between the two. 26 weeks alone in the 90's for TT in top 10.

European Hot 100 (1984 - 2010) Top 10's only

Take That

Could It Be Magic. 2 weeks top 10. #9.
Why Can't I Wake Up With You. 2 weeks top 10. #8.
Pray. 5 weeks top 10. #7.
Relight My Fire. 3 weeks top 10. #8.
Babe. 3 weeks top 10. #5.
Everything Changes. 3 weeks top 10. #6.
Love Ain't Here Anymore. 2 weeks top 10. #5.
Sure. 3 weeks top 10. #3.
Back For Good. 12 weeks top 10. #1 (5 weeks).
Never Forget. 6 weeks top 10. #3.
How Deep Is Your Love. 8 weeks top 10. #3.
Patience. 9 weeks top 10. #1 (6 weeks).
Shine. 2 weeks top 10. #3.
Rule The World. 7 weeks top 10. #5.
Greatest Day. 2 weeks top 10. #8.
The Flood. 12 weeks top 10. #4.

81 weeks top 10/11 weeks #1.

Westlife

Swear It Again. 3 weeks top 10. #6.
If I Let You Go. 2 weeks top 10. #8.
Flying Without Wings. 1 week top 10. #10.
I Have A Dream. 4 weeks top 10. #7.
Fool Again. 1 week top 10. #9.
My Love. 2 weeks top 10. #3.
Against All Odds. 2 weeks top 10. #3.
Uptown Girl. 2 weeks top 10. #8.
Queen Of My Heart. 1 week top 10. #8.
Unbreakable. 2 weeks top 10. #5.
World Of Our Own. 1 week top 10. #4.
Mandy. 3 weeks top 10. #3.
You Raise Me Up. 7 weeks top 10. #4.
When You Tell Me That You Love Me. 1 week top 10. #9.
The Rose. 2 weeks top 10. #4.
What About Now. 1 week top 10. #7.

35 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

46 weeks difference in European singles top 10. 49 weeks alone in 90's so again already 14 weeks higher than WL career before the TT 2005 reunion.

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Side note Gary has had one single chart in World top 10 and one album.

World Chart Top 10's Only

Gary Barlow.

SINGLES (1955 to present)

Forever Love. 1 week top 10. #7.

1 week top 10.

ALBUMS (2004 onwards)

Since I Saw You Last. 1 week top 10. #10.

1 week top 10.

European Hot 100 (1984 - 2010)

SINGLES

Forever Love. 9 weeks top 10. #3.
Shame. 1 week top 10. #4.

10 weeks top 10.

ALBUM

Open Road. 3 weeks top 10. #4.

3 weeks top 10.

USA

Singles

So Help Me Girl: Hot 100 #44.

Adult Contemporary: #3.
Radio Songs: #58.

Superhero:

Billboard Bubbling Under: #6 (106 overall).

Radio Songs: #7.
Adult Contemporary: #23.
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Mark Owen.

European Hot 100 Top 10's only.

SINGLES

Child. 1 week top 10. #9.

1 week top 10.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robbie Williams.

For Robbie I'll just stick to World Chart Top 10's and leave his Europeans off.

World Chart Top 10 only

SINGLES

Angels. 4 weeks top 10. #7.
Millennium. 10 weeks top 10. #3.
She's The One. 1 week top 10. #10.
Rock DJ. 13 weeks top 10. #3.
Supreme. 11 weeks top 10. #6.
Eternity. 1 week top 10. #8.
Somethin' Stupid. 11 weeks top 10. #3.
Feel. 16 weeks top 10. #1 (2 weeks).
Come Undone. 6 weeks top 10. #5.
Something Beautiful. 7 weeks top 10. #6.
Radio. 4 weeks top 10. #8.
Tripping. 17 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Advertising Space. 9 weeks top 10. #7.
Bodies. 2 weeks top 10. #2. (Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling #1)
Candy. 2 weeks top 10. #8.

114 weeks top 10/3 weeks #1.

ALBUMS

Greatest Hits. 14 weeks top 10. #1 (3 weeks).
Intensive Care. 13 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Rudebox. 3 weeks top 10. #2. (My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade #1)
Reality Killed The Video Star. 6 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
In and Out Of Consciousness - Greatest Hits. 3 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Take The Crown. 1 week top 10. #3.
Swings Both Ways. 8 weeks top 10. #2. (Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP 2 #1)

48 weeks top 10/6 weeks #1.

USA

Singles

Angels: Hot 100 #53.

Adult Contemporary: #10.
Adult Pop Songs: #21.
Pop Songs: #25.
Radio Songs: #45.

Millennium: Hot 100: #72.

Pop Songs: #20.
Adult Pop Songs: #22.
Radio Songs: #74.

Rock DJ:

Dance Club Songs: #24.

Feel:

Adult Pop Songs: #28.

Lovelight:

Dance Club Songs: #8.

Bodies:

Dance Club Songs: #6.

Last Days Of Disco:

Dance Club Songs: #7.

The Days (Avicii feat Robbie Williams): Hot 100: #78.

Albums

The Ego Has Landed: #63.
Sing When You're Winning: #110.
Escapology: #43.
Reality Killed The Video Star: #160.

Canada

Singles

Angels: #18.
Millennium: #9.
Rock DJ: #22.
Eternity/The Road To Mandalay: #31.
Somethin' Stupid: #25.
Feel: #9.
Everybody Hurts (Helping Haiti): #59.
The Days (Avicii feat Robbie Williams): #80.

Albums

The Ego Has Landed: #19.
Sing When You're Winning: #7.
Swing When You're Winning: #50.
Escapology: #39.
Greatest Hits: #34.
Intensive Care: #40.
Rudebox: #36.
Reality Killed The Video Star: #57.
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Brian McFadden (Westlife)

European Hot 100 Top 10 only

SINGLES

Real To Me. 1 week top 10. #5.

1 week top 10.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: nirvanamusic 8th September 2016, 03:15 PM

I know this is Westlife and Take That but I thought I'd list other British and Irish boybands who have had entries on the World Chart. Most however are global one hit wonders as referenced above Westlife had one global hit but so did some others. TT did well to land 4 global top 10 singles.

Albums like above are only from 2004 onwards for World Chart so most of these 90/00's groups are unknown for albums.

Let's start with the BIG one!

World Chart (1955 to Present) Top 10 only

One Direction.

SINGLES

What Makes You Beautiful. 5 weeks top 10. #8.
Live While We're Young. 1 week top 10. #2 (Psy - Gangnam Style #1).
Little Things. 1 week top 10. #9.
One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks). 1 week top 10. #6.
Best Song Ever. 2 weeks top 10. #3.
Story Of My Life. 11 weeks top 10. #5.
Steal My Girl. 1 week top 10. #6.
Drag Me Down. 3 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Perfect. 2 weeks top 10. #3.

27 weeks top 10/1 week #1.

ALBUMS

Up All Night. 29 weeks top 10. #2 (Adele - 21 #1).
Take Me Home. 15 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Midnight Memories. 10 weeks top 10. #1 (2 weeks).
Four. 8 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Made In The AM. 9 weeks top 10. #2 (Justin Bieber - Purpose #1).

73 weeks top 10/4 weeks #1.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

East 17.

World Chart

SINGLES

It's Alright. 6 weeks top 10. #8.
Stay Another Day. 5 weeks top 10. #7.

11 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

House Of Love. 1 week top 10. #9.
It's Alright. 15 weeks top 10. #4.
Around The World. 4 weeks top 10. #7.
Stay Another Day. 12 weeks top 10. #2. (Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe #1).
Thunder. 4 weeks top 10. #6.
Each Time. 1 week top 10. #10.

37 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

ALBUMS

Steam. 4 weeks top 10. #7.

4 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

Zimbabwe - Top 20

SINGLES

Deep-10.4.93, #8, 7 weeks
Around the world-13.8.94, #7, 4 weeks
Stay another day-8.5.95, #1 (1 week - 15.5.95), 16 weeks.

ALBUMS

None

USA

Singles

House Of Love:

Dance Club Songs: #41.

Deep: Hot 100 Bubbling Under: #23. (#123 overall)

Hold My Body Tight:

Dance Club Songs: #32.

Canada

Singles

Let It Rain: #79.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five.

World Chart

SINGLES

Keep On Movin'. 5 weeks top 10. #8.
Let's Dance. 1 week top 10. #10.

6 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

Until The Time Is Through. 1 week top 10. #10.
If Ya Gettin' Down. 3 weeks top 10. #8.
Keep On Movin'. 2 weeks top 10. #9.
Let's Dance. 1 week top 10. #7.

7 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

ALBUMS

Five. 2 weeks top 10. #5.
Invincible. 1 week top 10. #10.

3 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

USA

Singles

When The Lights Go Out: Hot 100: #10.

Pop Songs: #14.
Rhythmic Songs: #29.
Radio Songs: #41.

It's The Thing's You Do: Hot 100: #53.

Slam Dunk (Da Funk): Hot 100: #86.

Album

5ive: #27.
Invincible: #108.

Canada

Singles

When The Lights Go Out: #30.

Albums

5ive: #38.
Invincible: #49.
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Blue.

World Chart

SINGLES

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (feat Elton John). 12 weeks top 10. #6.

12 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

Too Close. 1 week top 10. #10.
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. 12 weeks top 10. #2. (Eminem - Lose Yourself #1).
Guilty. 1 week top 10. #3.
Breathe Easy. 1 week top 10. #10.
Curtain Falls. 1 week top 10. #6.

16 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

ALBUMS

All Rise. 2 weeks top 10. #8.
One Love. 1 week top 10. #6.
Guilty. 2 weeks top 10. #5.
Best Of Blue. 9 weeks top 10. #5.

14 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

Canada

Singles

All Rise: #11.
Fly By II: #28.
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (Blue feat Elton John): #7.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boyzone.

World Chart

SINGLES

No Matter What. 12 weeks top 10. #3.

12 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

Love Me For A Reason. 3 weeks top 10. #6.
Key To My Life. 1 week top 10. #6.
Father And Son. 1 week top 10. #8.
Words. 12 weeks top 10. #6.
All That I Need. 1 week top 10. #7.
No Matter What. 23 weeks top 10. #2 (Cher - Believe #1).
I Love The Way You Love Me. 1 week top 10. #7.
When The Going Get's Tough. 2 weeks top 10. #7.
You Needed Me. 2 weeks top 10. #6.

46 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

ALBUMS

Where We Belong. 7 weeks top 10. #5.
By Request. 15 weeks top 10. #2 (Jamiroquai - Synkronized #1).

22 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

USA

Singles

Mystical Experience:

Hot Latin Songs: #4.
Latin Pop Songs: #5.

No Matter What: Hot 100 Bubbling Under: #16 (116 overall).

Adult Contemporary: #12.
Pop Songs: #35.

Album

Where We Belong: #167.

Canada

Singles

No Matter What: #51.

Album

...By Request: #35.

Zimbabwe - Top 20

SINGLES

22 Jan 96: no.8, 7 wks ~ Father And Son

ALBUMS

None
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Wanted.

World Chart

SINGLES

Glad You Came. 4 weeks top 10. #7.

4 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

All Time Low. 1 week top 10. #6.
Glad You Came. 4 weeks top 10. #8.

5 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Backstreet Boys.

World Chart

SINGLES

Quit Playing Games (With My Heart). 12 weeks top 10. #6.
Everybody (Backstreet's Back). 8 weeks top 10. #5.
As Long As You Love Me. 20 weeks top 10. #3.
I Want It That Way. 14 weeks top 10. #1 (4 weeks).
Larger Than Life. 8 weeks top 10. #5.
Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely. 13 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
The One. 6 weeks top 10. #5.
Shape Of My Heart. 14 weeks top 10. #1 (6 weeks).
The Call. 9 weeks top 10. #6.
More Than That. 6 weeks top 10. #6.
Drowning. 10 weeks top 10. #6.
Incomplete. 15 weeks top 10. #3.

135 weeks top 10/11 weeks #1.

ALBUMS (2004 onwards)

Never Gone. 6 weeks top 10. #3.
Unbreakable. 2 weeks top 10. #3.
This Is Us. 1 week top 10. #5.
In A World Like This. 2 weeks top 10. #4.

11 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100 (1984 - 2010) Top 10 only.


SINGLES

(We've Got it Goin' On. #11.)

I'll Never Break Your Heart. 5 weeks top 10. #7.
Get Down. 4 weeks top 10. #8.
Quit Playing Games (With My Heart). 13 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Everybody (Backstreets's Back). 11 weeks top 10. #2. (Puff Daddy - I'll Be Missing You #1).
As Long As You Love Me. 12 weeks top 10. #4.
All I Have To Give. 5 weeks top 10. #6.
I Want It That Way. 10 weeks top 10. #1 (7 weeks).
Larger Than Life. 2 weeks top 10. #5.
Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely. 5 weeks top 10. #4.
Shape Of My Heart. 7 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Incomplete. 4 weeks top 10. #6.

78 weeks top 10/9 weeks #1.

ALBUMS

Backstreet Boys. 16 weeks top 10. #7.
Backstreet's Back. 23 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Millennium. 14 weeks top 10. #1 (4 weeks).
Black & Blue. 5 weeks top 10. #2 (The Beatles - 1 #1).
Greatest Hits - Chapter One. 3 weeks top 10. #4.
Never Gone. 4 weeks top 10. #2 (Coldplay - X & Y #1).

65 weeks top 10/5 weeks #1.

Zimbabwe - Top 20

SINGLES

None

ALBUMS

17 Feb 97: no.3 ~ Backstreet Boys
30 Nov 97: no.8 ~ Backstreet’s Back

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nsync

World Chart

SINGLES

Bye Bye Bye. 13 weeks top 10. #2 (Madonna - American Pie #1).
It's Gonna Be Me. 9 weeks top 10. #6.
Pop. 8 weeks top 10. #5.
Girlfriend (feat Nelly). 7 weeks top 10. #4.

37 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

Bye Bye Bye. 5 weeks top 10. #5.
Girlfriend. 4 weeks top 10. #4.

9 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

ALBUMS

NSYNC. 2 weeks top 10 #8.

2 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Kids On The Block.

World Chart

SINGLES

You Got It (The Right Stuff). 1 week top 10. #8.
I'll Be Loving You (Forever). 2 weeks top 10. #9.
Hangin' Tough. 4 weeks top 10. #5.
Step By Step. 11 weeks top 10. #1 (1 week).
Tonight. 6 weeks top 10. #4.

24 weeks top 10/1 week #1.

ALBUMS (2004 onwards)

The Block. 1 week top 10. #7.

1 week top 10/0 weeks.

European Hot 100

SINGLES

You Got It (The Right Stuff). 3 weeks top 10. #9.
Hangin' Tough. 2 weeks top 10. #2 (Phil Collins - Another Day In Paradise #1).
Step By Step. 1 week top 10. #5.

6 weeks top 10/0 weeks.

ALBUMS

Hangin' Tough. 8 weeks top 10. #7.
Step By Step. 14 weeks top 10. #1 (8 weeks).

22 weeks top 10/8 weeks #1.

Zimbabwe - Top 20

SINGLES

6 Oct 90: no.8, 3 wks ~ Hangin’ Tough
29 Dec 90: no.10, 4 wks ~ Step By Step
26 Jan 91: no.9, 4 wks ~ Tonight
23 Mar 91: no.11, 2 wks ~ Games

ALBUMS

28 Jan 91: no.8 ~ Step By Step

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUSTED

World Chart

Singles (Highest)

Crashed The Wedding: #27.

USA

Singles

What I Go To School For:

Hot Singles Sales: #11.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MCFLY

World Chart

Singles (Highest)

All About You: #12.

Albums (Highest)

Wonderland: #32.

USA

Albums

Just My Luck:

Top Heatseakers: #25.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A1

World Chart

Singles (Highest)

Caught In The Middle: #30.

USA

Caught In The Middle:

Radio & Records Mainstream Chart: #46.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 2nd April 2017, 10:42 AM

Current minimum sales (Albums & Singles) based on BPI/OCC data for top 5 boybands ever in Britain:

1.Take That: 23.1 million
2.Westlife: 18.8 million
3.One Direction: 14.9 million
4.Boyzone: 13.1 million
5.JLS: 6.5 million

I used to think even during TT huge 2 mill album plus eras that Westlife could still catch them when a reunion for them comes around as they wouldn't have needed to sell like they used to.
It's debatable that any act of that age would/will now however who knows. 4.3 million records difference between them now but I think TT back catalogue will keep slowly selling more than Westlife as Westlife have had few new certs since they split in 2011. I don't see it happening I think TT will go up and up but at a much slower pace to what they used to.
Those four boybands to have gone over 10 million records in Britain are head and shoulders above the rest and it's a testament to One Direction that they pulled themselves into that bracket.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd April 2017, 04:10 PM

Westlife could boost sales with a reunion but at most i couldnt see them having a Greatest Hits that would sell any more than a million at the very most. I do think the next Take That Greatest Hits whenever we get it could be a big seller, not near as big as the Ultimate Collection but possibly another million seller so i think Take That will hold a fairly good sales lead on Westlife.

The Ultimate Collection continues to sell for Take That and is now over 2.4 million sales and back in the charts, i would think this has at least another 100,000 sales left in it although it will sell in low numbers for a long time to get it.

I still find it strange One Direction didnt do a Greatest Hits of some sort as it would have sold huge for them. I would think the plan is when they do reform is launch the comeback on a Greatest Hits tour and album to get the interest hyped up for them and follow quickly with a new studio album.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 2nd April 2017, 04:46 PM

Greatest Hits have died out in general. However I think they are great and they are also a great way for curious fans to get and then go deeper into albums from that.
However a group like Take That actually have numerous singles to do an updated greatest hits album or even variation greatest hits albums. #1's, best of , Vol 2 etc etc

I agree that seems like the most ideal plan for One Direction in the future.

Posted by: MOTTFAN 2nd April 2017, 05:45 PM

Am not a westlife fan at all so clicked on this thread with both trepidation and curiosity!!

I do love reading about sales figures, even more so when TT come out on top. Deservedly so in my (admittedly biased) opinion haha.

Great to see Boyzone in the mix. Despite the number of cheesy covers in their back-catalogue I am a big fan of theirs. Their comeback songs/albums have all been superb (if we forget that Dublin to Detroit ever happened). the gap in sales between BZ (in 4th) and JLS (5th) is staggering!! I hear BZ are going on tour again soon; I assume that means another album is due which will help their numbers a bit

Posted by: nirvanamusic 3rd April 2017, 07:06 AM

I agree there is definitely an endearing quality about Boyzone I think because they struggled to find their feet like Take That did initially. Perhaps also because they came out when there were only a handful of boybands and not over saturated it makes them more pure and honest.
I did like Westlife 99-02 before all the covers but there is something quite cynical about boybands like that especially ones who come from the same manager and are carbon copies.
These groups had the same manager and are also quite similar.
Backstreet Boys > NSYNC
Boyzone > Westlife
Busted > McFly.

Just following on from my post above the 6 - 10 positions current minimum sales (Albums & Singles) based on BPI/OCC data in Britain are:

6.Backstreet Boys: 4.6 million
7.Blue: 4.3 million
8.Five: 4 million
9.East 17: 3.6 million
10.McFly: 3.2 million

Take That were 7.5 million when they finished after Greatest Hits and How Deep is Your Love in 1996 which had they not had the 2005 reunion would have placed them fourth overall. This means they've sold a staggering 15.6 million records in Britain since 2005 however that figure alone and without the 7.5 mill added from 90's to bring 23.1 million would have seen them trailing Westlife.
This shows how much of a consistent force Westlife truly were in Britain during their time with an album routinely out every single year and for most part multiple singes with them.

Just a few comments on the table above. If Backstreet Boys shifted a lot more albums in Britain they could have gone a bit higher but they have had x3 albums only reach Gold status which drags their total down from what it could be. They are strong singles or rather consistent sellers however.

Blue were dragged down by their singles sales as they really were poor 01-04 which were Blues years however they counter acted that with strong album sales.

McFly really don't sell hardly at all either singles/albums aside from their debut album. HOWEVER their longevity and persistence over the years (13 years) has seen them gradually creep up and over flash in pan groups.

Out of the top ten groups who doesn't (if ever) get certified these days are Boyzone,JLS,Blue,Five,East 17.

McFly creep Gold album sales these days but no higher however over last two years 3 of their back catalogue singles have been certified. I'm guessing the McBusted hype helped them with this as their sales had been frozen in time for many years.
BSB don't get albums going Silver let alone Gold or higher in Britain these days. They do from time to time have their singles back catalogue go up in certs which pushes their sales up.

Doing the last 2 years (2015) these are how many certifications each band has had showing if they are still selling today. It's safe to say we'll leave Take That and One D off as have had multiple certs over past two years:

Westlife: 2 certs (1 album/1 single)
Boyzone: 1 cert (1 album)
JLS: 1 cert (1 album)
BSB: 2 cert (2 singles)
Blue: None
Five: 1 cert (1 single)
East 17: None
McFly: 4 certs (1 album/3 singles)

Posted by: jay727 3rd April 2017, 11:29 AM

It'll only increase once the new GH comes out at Xmas. Personally I think it should just focus on 2006 onwards. Never Forget has the old songs covered and continues to sell

Posted by: nirvanamusic 3rd April 2017, 12:06 PM

I agree at first I thought a 25 year retrospect would be great however like you say the Never Forget compilation that has enough songs to stand on it's own so focuss on their comeback and make that a Vol 2 perhaps.
Are the albums just all being rereleased or is it a greatest hits? Personally I think now is a great time to reintroduce people to the great singles they've put out and hope it is GH Vol 2.
Something is definitely happening with BMG as Gary said they talking to old record label if so I hope that we get GH Vol2 06-present and BMG re release the 90's albums and ush their certs up a bit however they released them in 06 so we'll have to see what happens.

Posted by: pippa 3rd April 2017, 02:39 PM

I would like a Greatest Hits volume 2 that focuses on the music since they reformed. Doing this would allow the Ultimate Collection to continue selling.

That said, outside the loyal fans i think the casual buyer of such a cd would prefer a mixture and may feel disappointed that some of their older songs do not appear. Overall, it may be easier to sell a new Greatest Hits that covers their whole career.

They have so many options down the road as they could do a Greatest Hits Vol 2 (2005-2017) they could do a "best of" covering songs from their whole career. I am sure that down the road we will see releases such as the Number 1's collection, the definitive collection, etc. They have such a strong catalogue of single that will manage to sell different styles of Greatest Hits for years to come.

Another release i would welcome from them is the best of b sides and rarities as i firmly believe we could have a wonderful album of such material.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th April 2017, 01:13 AM

A few years ago a new greatest hits with all the hits from patience onwards would have been a huge seller but i wouldnt be so confident now. I would think the new Greatest Hits whenever we get it would have to have a mixture of old and new, the track listing could be heavy on the music since the reform and be select with the songs from the past but they would also need to add at least 2-3 brand new tracks.

My suggestion for the title this time would be Rule The World, The Very Best of Take That.

Posted by: TTer 13th May 2017, 01:33 AM

Now, its clear that TT is better than WL

Posted by: nirvanamusic 19th August 2017, 09:27 PM

In terms of YouTube views the two groups top 10 are these.

Take That

1.Back For Good: 38.3 million
2.The Flood: 32 million
3.Rule The World: 30.2 million
4.Patience: 24.5 million
5.These Days: 15.5 million
6.Greatest Day: 15 million
7.How Deep Is Your Love: 12.7 million
8.Love Love / Shine: 11.8 million
9.Kidz: 8.7 million
10.Get Ready For It: 5.8 million

Westlife

1.My Love: 113 million
2.If I Let You Go: 57.3 million
3.You Raise Me Up: 56.6 million
4.Fool Again: 42.5 million
5.Seasons in the Sun: 29.1 million
6.Swear It Again: 28.8 million
7.I Lay My Love on You: 26.6 million
8.Queen of My Heart: 26.5 million
9.Flying Without Wings: 25.6 million
10.I Have a Dream: 23.3 million

Posted by: nirvanamusic 28th August 2017, 07:51 PM

Take That

1991: 50,000 (estimate as only Do What U Like #82 and Promises #38 were released this year and based upon 1991 sales patterns)
1992: 983,500
1993: 2,137,000
1994: 1,340,500
1995: 2,020,000
1996: 1,740,000
2005: 754,862
2006: 1,850,000
2007: 2,416,521
2008: 2,711,766
2009: 2,238,970
2010: 3,015,311
2011: 1,146,700
2012: 65,000
2014: 579,000
2015: 360,000
2016: 60,000
2017: 217,250
2018: 231,290
2019: 106,400

Total records sold in Britain = 23,964,034

Westlife

1999: 2,202,814
2000: 3,084,643
2001: 2,360,000
2002: 1,790,000
2003: 1,229,000
2004: 810,000
2005: 1,630,000
2006: 1,420,000
2007: 1,395,233
2008: 441,004
2009: 636,455
2010: 476,437
2011: 423,200
2012: 78,600
2019: 331,200

Total records sold in Britain = 18,308,586

Top 10 years between both

1. Westlife - 3,084,643 (2000)
2. Take That - 3,015,311 (2010)
3. Take That - 2,711,766 (2008)
4. Take That - 2,416,521 (2007)
5. Westlife - 2,360,000 (2001)
6. Take That - 2,238,970 (2009)
7. Westlife - 2,202,814 (1999)
8. Take That - 2,137,000 (1993)
9. Take That - 2,020,000 (1995)
10. Take That - 1,850,000 (2006)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 7th September 2017, 07:53 PM

For the longest time I've been interested in which songs by Take That are most popular especially outside of Europe and on different continents.
The hardest to find are Africa, Asia and South America so I decided the best way to find out would be to surf through their countries iTunes store instead!

I'll start with:

AFRICA

Botswana: Shine
Cape Verde: Patience
Egypt: Rule The World
Ghana: Back For Good
Kenya: Back For Good
Mauritius: Back For Good
Mozambique: Back For Good
Nambia: Back For Good
Nigeria: Rule The World
South Africa: Patience
Uganda: Back For Good
Zimbabwe: The Flood

continent song count:

Back For Good: 6
Patience: 2
Rule The World: 2
Shine: 1
The Flood: 1

ASIA

Armenia: The Flood
Azerbaijan: How Deep Is Your Love
Bahrain: Rule The World
Brunei Darussalam: Back For Good
Cambodia: Patience
China: Patience
Fiji: Cry
Hong Kong: Back For Good
India: Back For Good
Indonesia: Back For Good
Israel: Patience
Japan: Patience
Jordan: These Days
Kazakhstan: Back For Good
Lebanon: Rule The World
Macau: How Deep Is Your Love
Malaysia: Back For Good
Mongolia: Back For Good
Oman: These Days
Philippines: Back For Good
Qatar: Back For Good
Saudi Arabia: Rule The World
Singapore: Back For Good
Sri Lanka: Back For Good
Taiwan: Patience
Thailand: Back For Good
UAE: Back For Good
Uzbekistan: Babe
Vietnam: Back For Good

continent song count:

Back For Good: 14
Patience: 5
Rule The World: 3
How Deep Is Your Love: 2
These Days: 2
Babe: 1
Cry: 1
The Flood: 1

AUSTRALASIA

Australia: Back For Good
New Zealand: Back For Good
Papua New Guinea: Back For Good

continent song count:

Back For Good: 3

EUROPE

Austria: The Flood
Belarus: Rule The World
Belgium: Back For Good
Bulgaria: Rule The World
Cyprus: Rule The World
Czech Republic: The Flood
Denmark: Patience
Estonia: Cry
Finland: Patience
France: The Flood
Germany: Patience
Greece: Patience
Hungary: Rule The World
Iceland: Back For Good
Ireland: Rule The World
Italy: The Flood
Latvia: These Days
Lithuania: Rule The World
Luxembourg: The Flood
Malta: Rule The World
Moldova: How Deep Is Your Love
Netherlands: The Flood
Norway: Patience
Poland: Rule The World
Portugal: The Flood
Romania: Rule The World
Russia: Babe
Slovakia: Rule The World
Slovenia: The Flood
Spain: Patience
Sweden: Patience
Switzerland: Patience
Turkey: Rule The World
Ukraine: Babe
UK: Shine

continent song count

Rule The World: 11
Patience: 8
The Flood: 8
Babe: 2
Back For Good: 2
Cry: 1
How Deep Is Your Love: 1
Shine: 1
These Days: 1

NORTH AMERICA

Antigua and Barbuda: Back For Good
Bahamas: Hey Boy
Barbados: These Days
Belize: Rule The World
Canada: Patience
Costa Rica: Back For Good
Dominican Republic: Back For Good
El Salvador: Back For Good
Guatemala: Back For Good
Honduras: Back For Good
Mexico: Back For Good
Nicaragua: Back For Good
Panama: Back For Good
Trinidad and Tobago: Back For Good
USA: Back For Good

continent song count:

Back For Good: 11
Hey Boy: 1
Patience: 1
Rule The World: 1
These Days: 1

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina: Back For Good
Bermuda: Greatest Day
Bolivia: Patience
Brazil: Back For Good
British Virgin Islands: These Days
Cayman Islands: Never Forget
Chile: Back For Good
Colombia: Back For Good
Ecuador: Back For Good
Paraguay: Back For Good
Peru: Back For Good
Venezuela: Back For Good

continent song count:

Back For Good: 8
Greatest Day: 1
Never Forget: 1
Patience: 1
These Days: 1

Total song count for AFRICA, ASIA, AUSTRALASIA, EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA and SOUTH AMERICA.

Back For Good: 44
Patience: 17
Rule The World: 17
The Flood: 10
These Days: 5
Babe: 3
How Deep Is Your Love: 3
Cry: 2
Shine: 2
Greatest Day: 1
Hey Boy: 1
Never Forget: 1

Most popular song by continents:

AFRICA: Back For Good
ASIA: Back For Good
AUSTRALASIA: Back For Good
EUROPE: Rule The World
NORTH AMERICA: Back For Good
SOUTH AMERICA: Back For Good

Posted by: nirvanamusic 11th September 2017, 07:39 PM

For the longest time I've been interested in which songs by Westlife are most popular especially outside of Europe and on different continents.
The hardest to find are Africa, Asia and South America so I decided the best way to find out would be to surf through their countries iTunes store instead!

I'll start with:

AFRICA

Botswana: You Raise Me Up
Cape Verde: What About Now
Egypt: My Love
Ghana: Flying Without Wings
Kenya: Queen Of My Heart
Mauritius: You Raise Me Up
Mozambique: Flying Without Wings
Nambia: You Raise Me Up
Nigeria: Flying Without Wings
South Africa: Queen Of My Heart
Uganda: You Raise Me Up
Zimbabwe: Queen Of My Heart

ASIA

Armenia: You Raise Me Up
Azerbaijan: Soledad
Bahrain: My Love
Brunei Darussalam: You Raise Me Up
Cambodia: My Love
China: The Rose
Fiji: If I Let You Go
Hong Kong: You Raise Me Up
India: Seasons In The Sun
Indonesia: My Love
Israel: If I Let You Go
Japan: You Raise Me Up
Jordan: My Love
Kazakhstan: Soledad
Lebanon: Against All Odds
Macau: You Raise Me Up
Malaysia: You Raise Me Up
Mongolia: My Love
Oman: Seasons In The Sun
Philippines: If I Let You Go
Qatar: My Love
Saudi Arabia: You Raise Me Up
Singapore: My Love
Sri Lanka: You Raise Me Up
Taiwan: You Raise Me Up
Thailand: My Love
UAE: You Raise Me Up
Uzbekistan: What About Now
Vietnam: I Have A Dream

AUSTRALASIA

Australia: You Raise Me Up
New Zealand: You Raise Me Up
Papua New Guinea: Swear It Again

EUROPE

Austria: You Raise Me Up
Belarus: What About Now
Belgium: You Raise Me Up
Bulgaria: You Raise Me Up
Cyprus: Flying Without Wings
Czech Republic: Mandy
Denmark: You Raise Me Up
Estonia: If I Let You Go
Finland: You Raise Me Up
France: Unbreakable
Germany: You Raise Me Up
Greece: Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Hungary: You Raise Me Up
Ireland: Home
Italy: You Raise Me Up
Latvia: If I Let You Go
Lithuania: I Have A Dream
Luxembourg: You Raise Me Up
Malta: You Raise Me Up
Moldova: Soledad
Netherlands: You Raise Me Up
Norway: You Raise Me Up
Poland: You Raise Me Up
Portugal: Against All Odds
Romania: You Raise Me Up
Russia: What About Now
Slovakia: Uptown Girl
Slovenia: Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Spain: Uptown Girl
Sweden: The Rose
Switzerland: You Raise Me Up
Turkey: Against All Odds
Ukraine: When You Tell Me That You Love Me
UK: You Raise Me Up

NORTH AMERICA

Antigua and Barbuda: Against All Odds
Bahamas: Against All Odds
Barbados: Uptown Girl
Belize: I'll See You Again
Canada: You Raise Me Up
Costa Rica: Uptown Girl
Dominican Republic: Swear It Again
El Salvador: Uptown Girl
Guatemala: Fool Again
Honduras: Uptown Girl
Mexico: Fool Again
Nicaragua: Against All Odds
Panama: Flying Without Wings
Trinidad and Tobago: You Raise Me Up
USA: Safe

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina: Uptown Girl
Bermuda: Against All Odds
Bolivia: The Reason
Brazil: Against All Odds
British Virgin Islands: I Have A Dream
Cayman Islands: My Love
Chile: Fool Again
Colombia: Fool Again
Ecuador: Uptown Girl
Paraguay: If I Let You Go
Peru: Uptown Girl
Venezuela: Flying Without Wings

Total song count for AFRICA, ASIA, AUSTRALASIA, EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA and SOUTH AMERICA.

Most popular songs by continents:

AFRICA: You Raise Me Up
ASIA: You Raise Me Up
AUSTRALASIA: You Raise Me Up
EUROPE: You Raise Me Up
NORTH AMERICA: Uptown Girl
SOUTH AMERICA: Uptown Girl

Posted by: ❄The Snow. 24th December 2017, 04:18 PM

Take That are better in my opinion, they have had a greater variety in terms of style of songs, from dance pop, 'It Only Takes A Minute' to Coldplay style pop rock, 'Said it All' to ballads, 'A Million Love Songs'.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 18th March 2018, 04:39 PM

Louis Walsh the Westlife manager said a few months ago that a reunion would be the four of them and under no circumstances would Brian McFadden be a part of it despite his enthusiasm. Walsh explained the reason was they had 7 years after he left the band in 2004 and they are just better off all round as a four piece.

Granted they did have 7 extra years afterwards but their mammoth success Globally (1999 - 2002) was with Brian in the group and that can't be dismissed just for Walsh's personal reasons. It seems Walsh is still angered by McFadden as he felt the very real possibility of the band splitting soon after his departure. This didn't happen as we know but their sales never recovered and anyhow were already going down in 2003 with the 'Turnaround' album.

I would love to see a full reunion Westlife if it does happen for their fans as this is how they are remembered most. I think it's a Take That situation when they went with a different manager for the reunion to keep the possibility of Robbie returning in the mix. Had they stayed with Nigel I doubt highly Robbie would have returned and Jason may have been traded in for Shayne Ward (!) as was Nigels plan for a reunion.

I don't see Westlife either going with a new manager for a reunion other than Walsh as they wouldn't be able to function without him or Simon Cowell. I also don't see them standing up strongly for anything they want to do based on pattern of their initial career including having Brian back if they wanted it so. Their fans may never see a full reunion with Brian which would be a shame especially as in recent years he appears a lot more likable now with his television career and more rounded personality.

Posted by: jay727 18th March 2018, 11:13 PM

I think we will see a reunion, perhaps for 10 years since the greatest hits or something. Although, I expect it to go a bit like the Boyzone comeback.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 19th March 2018, 08:28 PM

I was thinking the same thing as the only two boybands to have achieved commercial success since reforming in the UK were Take That and to a much lesser extent Boyzone. I think Westlife would fall between the two perhaps.

The other boybands who have tried Blue, Let Loose, 911, Five, Busted, East 17, A1, Blazin' Squad, Bros and Damage haven't had any new commercial success or certifications for their recent output just low sales.

edit: Maybe I was being harsh judging reunions on any certifications obtained so the list of reformed boybands who have had a top 20 reunion record with either albums/singles are:

In brackets position in top 20 best selling boybands in UK history

Take That, (1)
Boyzone, (4)
Blue, (9)
Busted (13)

The ones who haven't had new studio album/single go top 20 or even chart highly/at all since reforming are:

Let Loose,
911,
East 17, (11)
A1

Boybands who reformed but stuck to just low selling tours and no new reunion records are:

Five, (10)
Bros, (16)
Damage,
Blazin' Squad

Posted by: nirvanamusic 24th September 2018, 09:13 AM

With the Westlife 4 man version reunion imminent, let's refresh the state of play and UK sales between the two biggest boybands in British music history.

TT: 13.8 mil albums / 10.2 mil singles = 24 million
Westlife: 12 mil albums / 7.2 mil singles = 19.2 million

4.8 million in total more records sold by TT. Can they be caught?

Take That had to overcome far more records than that from 2005 and overtook WL UK sales in 2009 some four years of huge success later.

They have refused Brian offer to reform as a five and because of that their old label Syco and Simon Cowell has said he won't be apart of the reunion, having wanted the full 5 or nothing. They have signed with Universal instead.

Maybe they are hoping to do a Take That? Continue as a four then in time bring Brian onboard?

Thoughts?

Posted by: WhoOdyssey 24th September 2018, 03:25 PM

I'm up for Westlife back, really like them!

I wouldn't be surprised if 1D do a similar thing to Take That in a few years, but I don't think Harry will join them.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 25th September 2018, 03:21 PM

Sales of both acts (albums/singles) per decade in the UK:

90's

Take That: 8,271,000
Westlife: 2,202,814

00's

Westlife: 14,796,335
Take That: 9,972,119

10's

Take That: 5,443,261
Westlife: 978,237

As shown it really can't be underestimated how much of a force Westlife truly were in the 00's in British sales. Blue (2002) and Busted (2003 & 2004) both had better sales for those calendar years, putting Westlife down to runner up spot. However neither group lasted nor completely took Westlife out completely.

In 2004 they were third biggest behind Busted and McFly and again in 2009 behind TT and JLS. This was their lowest ranks until going further down in their departure year.

Westlife were the only one out of the two compared groups to break 10 million sales for a decade, though Take That were very close in the 00's to doing this also.

Year on year sales it really is obvious to see that Take That return at first slightly then drastically tumbled Westlife huge sales to respectable numbers, however no longer blockbusting.

JLS mainly are to be mentioned as well in affecting Westlife sales.

When Westlife split up they were the fifth biggest selling boyband behind Take That, JLS, The Wanted and One Direction, who outsold them with their huge debut single alone.

Westlife were the fifth biggest on departure and I suppose the writing was on the wall back then.

The 2010's was their downfall with huge new rival younger boybands and an existing massive man band, and biggest of them all, ultimately placed them out of the market.

Number 1's (singles/abums) in UK per decade

90's

Take That: 11
Westlife: 4

00's

Westlife: 17
Take That: 5

10's

Take That: 3
Westlife: 0

Total Combined:

Westlife: 21
Take That: 19

Posted by: jay727 25th September 2018, 10:36 PM

It’s nice that they’ve come back, albeit always inevitable given how none of them had a successful solo outing.

I fear they’ll more likely do a Boyzone than a Take That. They’ll probably get a top 5 album, but unsure if there’s anything there that’ll keep attention and convert new fans. Perhaps a 5 piece would have helped, considering they’ve been 4 for a large part of their career.

In fact, when you think about it, TT have only been a 5 piece for 9 years of their 30 in the business!

Posted by: nirvanamusic 26th September 2018, 06:56 AM

I agree. Singles wise I'd be surprised if anything big happens on that front or many sales acquired. Album may sneak #1 but I don't think it'll be a huge seller.

Posted by: jay727 26th September 2018, 07:40 AM

Do we know when the album is released? Will it go up against TT?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 26th September 2018, 07:54 AM

That's a good point, I didn't think about that. I know this sounds tribal but I really hope Westlife don't do to TT what TT return did to them! If they do I'm sure it'll be interesting.

Posted by: Charis 3rd October 2018, 07:42 AM

I don't think Westlife have something to be jealous of from Take That.. Musically Take that might be better, vocally Westlife are superior comfortably.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 3rd October 2018, 11:21 AM

I completely agree and think you may be right ... if this was 1999 and comparing.

During Take That absent years I agreed and thought Westlife were collectively better singers, though not in songs or overall musicality.

However, since the reunion as a collective I'm inclined to say Take That overall are vocally better than Westlife. Gary and Robbie were always strong vocalists with character. Mark/Howard could sing to a certain style to fit their voices. Jason played guitar or danced.

Now Gary and Robbie are the same still, Mark has more versatility and Howard is stronger vocally and all are consistently strong. Jason is like Mark and Howard in the 90's he has a great tone and can sing a song best suited to his abilities i.e Wooden Boat though isn't as versatile vocally as the other four.

Westlife have two amazing singers for the style they sang, fact. Shane and Mark are arguably better in this slow style, though Gary and Robbie are able to suit different musical styles/genres. Brian was also a good singer. Kian is okay though not great and Nicky from the few album tracks lines I've heard can't really sing.

As it stands today, man for man. I feel Take That vocally have overtaken Westlife, this is just my opinion however.

Posted by: pippa 3rd October 2018, 06:26 PM

Mark from Westlife i would say is the best vocally from all put together.
All of Westlife are good singers as are all Take That, Jason is likely the weakest singer among them all.
As for overall talent, Westlife fall down greatly against Take That.

Posted by: jay727 3rd October 2018, 10:36 PM

Completely agree, although Gary’s voice has just got better and better since the reunion. As has Mark’s and in particular, Howard!

Maybe this is an unpopular view, but I don’t feel like Shane has any real range. He’s an fair singer, but that’s it. Mark does have more feeling in his voice; although I think he struggles to articulate at times.

Nonetheless, it’s nice that they’re back, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they just continued where they left off sound wise.

Posted by: milly 4th October 2018, 05:44 PM

No one in Westlife can come even close to Gary vocally - range wise, tone wise, technique wise, control wise and so on. Even their 2 main singers are still very average, in my opinion.

Posted by: Charis 5th October 2018, 08:07 AM

QUOTE(milly @ Oct 4 2018, 08:44 PM)

Posted by: milly 5th October 2018, 01:22 PM

QUOTE(Charis @ Oct 5 2018, 11:07 AM)

Posted by: jay727 6th October 2018, 09:13 AM

Slightly different, but Boyzone has released their second single for their final album and it’s a cover of Take That’s ‘If It’s Not Love’ from the III album!

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.thesun.ie/tvandshowbiz/music/3210974/boyzone-new-single-love-gary-barlow/amp/

Posted by: pippa 6th October 2018, 12:03 PM

That is an interesting choice. As i see the discussion of Take That, Westlife and Boyzone here.
Boyzone really are so behind the others overall in quality and talent.

Posted by: milly 6th October 2018, 03:47 PM

For some reason, I much prefer Boyzone to Westlife. I never warmed up to Westlife and I can't really see their merits. At least from Boyzone, Ronan had a successful solo career.

Boyzone did not choose to cover If It's Not Love on purpose. They had no idea til they released the single that the song is on TT's album already. I have no idea how that is even possible; surely their label or management should have informed them. They did a good job covering it, though. I've always loved that song and I'm glad that now more people get to hear it, albeit not from TT.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 6th October 2018, 07:31 PM

I agree I prefer Boyzone to Westlife. I feel they had more charm and down to earth, though overall were weaker vocally. They did covers but the original songs were a good mix of fast and slow tracks.

Posted by: jay727 6th October 2018, 10:24 PM

I think I prefer BZ too actually. They’ve got some very good songs in their back catalogue.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 9th October 2018, 01:21 PM

Top 10 Update of You Tube Views for Westlife and Take That

WESTLIFE

1- My Love 169,169,335 (Coast To Coast)
2- If I Let You Go 84,182,579 (Westlife)
3- You Raise Me Up 70,539,504 (Face To Face)
4- Fool Again 66,805,380 (Westlife)
5- Seasons In The Sun 42,323,603 (Westlife)
6- Swear It Again 40,811,728 (Westlife)
7- I Lay My Love on You 38,987,316 (Coast To Coast)
8- Queen Of My Heart 38,458,709 (World Of Our Own)
9- I Have a Dream 32,075,445 (Westlife)
10- Flying Without Wings 29,578,753 (Westlife)

TAKE THAT

1- The Flood 37,063,800 (Progress)
2- Back for Good 34,374,830 (Nobody Else)
3- Rule The World 28,128,210 (Beautiful World)
4- Patience 26,489,090 (Beautiful World)
5- These Days 16,741,218 (III)
6- Greatest Day 16,001,311 (The Circus)
7- How Deep Is Your Love 13,702,318 (Greatest Hits)
8- Shine 12,773,212 (Beautiful World)
9- Love Love 11,053,273 (Progress)
10- Kidz 8,994,735 (Progress)

Big congratulations for Westlife - My Love going over 100 million views truly is impressive.

Take That - The Progress reunion era really was a big hit period for them as was Beautiful World. Nice that every reunion album has a song represented in their top 10 apart from Wonderland.

These Days has done far better than I had thought also. We'll never know what TT views would have been if YT was around at the time.

Posted by: milly 9th October 2018, 05:11 PM

It's not really fair to compare TT's yt views with Westlife's, in my opinion. Covers of big songs always get a lot of views.
It would be more fair if we looked at the numbers for Westlife's original songs - I understand they had a few of those as well?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 9th October 2018, 05:58 PM

That's actually a really good point that I never thought about actually. My Love is an original song and in their top 10 3 covers. Surely that should have told them to stick with originals though we know that didn't happen.

It's good My Love but the music video isn't amazing in my opinion.

Posted by: myxxd 10th October 2018, 05:18 AM

Gary Barlow's voice in my opinion is ordinary while Shane Filan and Mark Feehily's voice, I can easily recognize and very distinct

Even if you compare their vocals back in 2010 X Factor with Take That and JLS. no match

Posted by: myxxd 10th October 2018, 05:20 AM

one of their video for My Love is the most liked and shared post from a boy band with 900k likes and 1M shares on facebook and look at the date it was just posted January this year. https://www.facebook.com/1017520618305990/v...71925199532192/ That song is really massive specially on Asia, I remember its record of 16 weeks at #1 in the most popular radio station in the capital of Philippines and has never been broken yet. backstreet's video is next with 475k likes

song named to them Beautiful in White which has never made any studio albums of the band has reached 168 million views in youtube even not released as a single

Posted by: myxxd 10th October 2018, 08:51 AM

Posted by: Charis 10th October 2018, 11:30 AM

QUOTE(myxxd @ Oct 10 2018, 08:18 AM)

Posted by: milly 10th October 2018, 06:32 PM

I'm no music expert, but the video you posted with Shane's vocals proves he has a very limited range - one octave? Gary has a 4 octave range. But, aside from the technical part, it's pretty evident - Shane's vocals are ordinary. He couldn't hit the notes Gary hits on Lie to Me to save his life, in my opinion. It's ok if you prefer his voice, but, objectively speaking, Gary is an extraordinary singer, while Shane and Mark are pretty ordinary.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 18th October 2018, 10:57 AM

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7520207/westlife-five-year-plan-take-that-success/

I suppose this was quite inevitable so will be interesting to see. I'd just like TT to remain the biggest in the UK on sales.

Having Ed Sheeran write you a song doesn't always work, look at Boyzone, that song didn't go anywhere.

Posted by: Charis 18th October 2018, 11:25 AM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 18 2018, 01:57 PM)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 18th October 2018, 01:12 PM

... Nobody said either of those things nor was it referenced as such in the said article. A sign of youthful sensibility perhaps, though you're right they're both on same levels of achievement.

If you are referring to my want for them to remain the biggest selling boyband in the UK that's just natural as a fan.

Based on Official Charts Company UK sales as it stands at the moment:

TT: 13.7 mil albums / 10.6 mil singles = 24.3 million
Westlife: 12 mil albums / 7.4 mil singles = 19.4 million

4.9 million in total more records sold by TT. However TT were a huge 7.5 million records behind when they got back together in 2005, so you never know.

You know what though? It doesn't matter there's more to life than two pop bands. You'll see that one day. Ultimately it's music not stats that may or may not out live both groups. It's just nice to know TT have sold so well.

What I will say however is, TT fans accepted when WL were millions of records sold ahead of them in the UK with no fuss all those years. Then it changed in the other direction with TT currently millions more sold than Westlife in the UK.

Difference being WL fans unlike Take That fans have a hard time accepting this change, which I don't understand as Westlife have sold slightly more worldwide. So why the big fuss over the UK? You know Everything Changes right?

However, with Westlife's return I hope their fans have matured as well. Hopefully the new music will reflect this.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 18th October 2018, 06:47 PM

I can see both new albums selling well for both and when it all ends for both bands in a few years or so there won't be much of a sales difference between both although I would think take that especially Gary will be a lot richer due to royalties.

Posted by: Charis 18th October 2018, 06:54 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Oct 18 2018, 04:12 PM)

Posted by: nirvanamusic 25th October 2018, 02:27 PM

Out of curiosity here are the ten places the past year Take That & Westlife were most viewed on youtube & streamed.

Highlighted in bold a nation in largest top 10 IFPI music market for 2017.

Top 10 places listening and streaming past year

TAKE THAT

1.London,UK (Europe)
2.Santiago,Chile (South America)
3.Dublin,Ireland (Europe)
4.Rome,Italy (Europe)
5.Milan,Italy (Europe)
6.Lima,Peru (South America)
7.Tel Aviv,Israel (Asia)
8.Budapest,Hungary (Europe)
9.Sao Paulo,Brazil (South America)
10.Liverpool,UK (Europe)

6 Europe, 3 South America & 1 Asia.

Other highest places from other continents for past year:

24.Sydney,Australia (Australasia)
49.New York,USA (North America)
- None in top 100 (Africa)

Total places out of 100: 66 Europe, 13 South America, 12 Asia, 5 Australasia, 4 North America & Africa none.

WESTLIFE

1.Jakarta,Indonesia (Asia)
2.Bangkok,Thailand (Asia)
3.Quezon City,Philippines (Asia)
4.Kaula Lumper,Malaysia (Asia)
5.Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam (Asia)
6.Surabaya,Indonesia (Asia)
7.Hanoi,Vietnam (Asia)
8.Makati,Philippines (Asia)
9.Cebu City,Philippines (Asia)
10.Davao City,Philippines (Asia)

10 - Asia

Other highest places from other continents for past year:

16.London,UK (Europe)
21.Nairobi,Kenya (Africa)
29.Lima,Peru (South America)
39.Sydney,Australia (Australasia)
43.New York,USA (North America)

Total places out of 100: 81 Asia, 5 North America, 4 Africa, 4 Europe, 3 Australasia and 3 South America.

Top 10 countries listening and streaming past year

TAKE THAT

1.UK (Europe)
2.Italy (Europe)
3.Germany (Europe)
4.Brazil (South America)
5.USA (North America)
6.Spain (Europe)
7.Argentina (South America)
8.Chile (South America)
9.Ireland (Europe)
10.Mexico (North America)

5 Europe, 3 South America & 2 North America

Other highest nations from other continents for past year:

15.Australia (Australasia)
17.Japan (Asia)
49.South Africa (Africa)

Total countries out of 100: 43 Europe, 24 Asia, 12 North America, 10 South America, 9 Africa & 2 Australasia.

WESTLIFE

1.Indonesia (Asia)
2.Philippines (Asia)
3.Vietnam (Asia)
4.Thailand (Asia)
5.USA (North America)
6.UK (Europe)
7.Malaysia (Asia)
8.India (Asia)
9.Taiwan (Asia)
10.South Korea (Asia)

8 Asia, 1 Europe & 1 North America

Other highest nations from other continents for past year:

11.Brazil (South America)
20.South Africa (Africa)
22.Australia (Australasia)

Total countries out of 100: 33 Asia, 30 Europe, 19 Africa, 8 North America, 7 South America & 3 Australasia.

They interestingly have different areas of popularity from each other.

In terms of TT Wonderland Live Tour last year and daring to go to new places, Israel, New Zealand being a first time and Australia after 20+ years. Dubai again after a couple of years. All those cities are represented in the top 100 for past year, except the two NZ cities which didn't make the 100.

I think this shows that touring has a huge effect, the fact Tel Aviv shot up to #7 for the year proves this and hopefully they've now learned you need to tour all of these countries to see results.

On top 10 countries list, five countries they have never toured, the three South American countries - Chile, Argentina, Brazil and in North America - USA and Mexico.

For top 10 cities list, they haven't toured in Chile, Peru, Brazil or Hungary in Europe select cities of popularity.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 28th October 2018, 01:19 PM

Adding top ten for Boyzone, East 17, Bros (split 1992), All-4-One, Color Me Badd, New Kids On the Block & Boyz II Men as all were big during Take That years in 90's as well. Again in bold a top 10 music market 2017.

Top 10 countries listening and streaming past year

BOYZONE

1.Philippines (Asia)
2.UK (Europe)
3.Indonesia (Asia)
4.USA (North America)
5.Germany (Europe)
6.India (Asia)
7.Malaysia (Asia)
8.Thailand (Asia)
9.Vietnam (Asia)
10.Taiwan (Asia)

7 Asia, 2 Europe & 1 North America

Other highest places from other continents for past year:

11.Australia (Australasia)
12.Brazil (South America)
33.South Africa (Africa)

EAST 17

1.Germany (Europe)
2.UK (Europe)
3.France (Europe)
4.Czech Republic (Europe)
5.Russia (Europe)
6.Poland (Europe)
7.Hungary (Europe)
8.Australia (Australasia)
9.Italy (Europe)
10.Romania (Europe)

9 Europe & 1 Australasia.

Other highest nations from other continents for past year:

14.USA (North America)
20.Philippines (Asia)
25.Brazil (South America)
29.Algeria (Africa)

BROS

1.UK (Europe)
2.Germany (Europe)
3.France (Europe)
4.Hungary (Europe)
5.Spain (Europe)
6.Italy (Europe)
7.Australia (Australasia)
8.Turkey (Europe)
9.Slovakia (Europe)
10.Czech Republic (Europe)

9 Europe & 1 Australasia

Other highest nations from other continents for past year:

11.Japan (Asia)
16.USA (North America)
18.Chile (South America)
28.Egypt (Africa)

ALL-4-ONE

1.USA (North America)
2.Philippines (Asia)
3.UK (Europe)
4.Indonesia (Asia)
5.South Africa (Africa)
6.Canada (North America)
7.Germany (Europe)
8.Thailand (Asia)
9.Australia (Australasia)
10.Brazil (South America)

3 Asia, 2 Europe, 2 North America, 1 Africa, 1 Australasia & 1 South America.

A full house!! All six continents represented within the last year top 10. 6/10 top music markets within also.

COLOR ME BAD

1.USA (North America)
2.UK (Europe)
3.Philippines (Asia)
4.Australia (Australasia)
5.Canada (North America)
6.Brazil (South America)
7.Indonesia (Asia)
8.New Zealand (Australasia)
9.Germany (Europe)
10.Mexico (North America)

3 North America, 2 Asia, 2 Australasia, 2 Europe & 1 South America.

Other highest nations from other continents for past year:

11.South Africa (Africa)

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

1.USA (North America)
2.Brazil (South America)
3.Mexico (North America)
4.Peru (South America)
5.Chile (South America)
6.Colombia (South America)
7.Canada (North America)
8.Germany (Europe)
9.Argentina (South America)
10.UK (Europe)

5 South America, 3 North America & 2 Europe.

Other highest nations from other continents for past year:

12.Indonesia (Asia)
20.Australia (Australasia)
39.South Africa (Africa)

BOYZ II MEN

1.USA (North America)
2.Philippines (Asia)
3.UK (Europe)
4.South Africa (Africa)
5.Brazil (South America)
6.Canada (North America)
7.Australia (Australasia)
8.France (Europe)
9.Germany (Europe)
10.Jamaica (North America)

3 Europe, 3 North America, 1 Africa, 1 Asia, 1 Australasia & 1 South America.

Another full house from another American group and 8 out of 10 of the biggest markets. Japan were #12 and South Korea #16 to round off the 10 biggest music markets.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 8th December 2018, 04:09 PM

Country By Country Album Sales Only Comparing Nations where full access to sales for both are available.

In bold is a 2017 top 10 music market.

Argentina: Take That
Australia: Westlife
Austria: Take That
Belgium: Take That
Brazil: Westlife
Canada: Take That
Denmark: Take That
Finland: Take That
France: Take That
Germany: Take That
Greece: Take That
Hong Kong: Westlife
Hungary: Take That
Iceland: Take That
Indonesia: Westlife
Ireland: Westlife
Italy: Take That
Japan: Take That
Korea: Westlife
Malaysia: Westlife
Mexico: Westlife
Netherlands: Take That
New Zealand: Westlife
Norway: Westlife
Philippines: Westlife
Portugal: Take That
Spain: Take That
Sweden: Westlife
Switzerland: Take That
Taiwan: Take That
UK: Take That
USA: Westlife

Posted by: nirvanamusic 5th January 2019, 09:34 AM

*note for any future potential later readers I'll be using this post to keep up to date on certs, figures will change*

With the promo and new reunion Westlife single coming next week on the 11th. Let's see where both groups stand.

Based on Official Charts Company UK sales as it stands at the moment:

TT: 14.3 mil albums / 12 mil singles = 26.3 million
Westlife: 12.1 mil albums / 10.2 mil singles = 22.3 million

4 million in total more records sold by TT.
However TT were a huge 7.5 million records behind when they got back together in 2005, so you never know.

The climate is so different now that I read someone say that Platinum today for albums would have been the equivalent of 1 million copies sold 10 years ago. The gap will be closed through older songs moving up and new releases, however I'm not so sure.

Take That selling 7.5 million records and a further 5 million to go clear is just insane.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 7th April 2019, 03:07 PM

Digital Spy Number Ones Vote: Average Out of 10. Voted on by a range of music fan and age.

All number one singles by Take That, Westlife, Gary, Robbie and Brian. 40 UK chart topping singles between all of them.

1.Patience - Take That, 8.00
2.Millennium - Robbie Williams, 6.82
3.Back For Good - Take That, 6.61
4.These Days - Take That, 6.38
5.Shine - Take That, 5.86
6.Greatest Day - Take That, 5.82
7.Rock DJ - Robbie Williams, 5.25
8.Relight My Fire - Take That, 5.04
9.Flying Without Wings - Westlife, 4.88
10.Everything Changes - Take That, 4.82

11.She's The One - Robbie Williams, 4.78
12.Pray - Take That, 4.75
13.Never Forget - Take That, 4.59
14.Radio - Robbie Williams, 4.56
15.Swear It Again - Westlife, 4.54
16.Somethin' Stupid - Robbie Williams, 4.38
17.World Of Our Own - Westlife, 4.23
18.If I Let You Go - Westlife, 4.21
19.Eternity - Robbie Williams, 4.15
20=I Have A Dream - Westlife, 4.00
20=It's Only Us - Robbie Williams, 4.00
20=Sure - Take That, 4.00

23.My Love - Westlife, 3.87
24.Love Won't Wait - Gary Barlow, 3.86
25.The Rose - Westlife, 3.67
26.Fool Again - Westlife, 3.63
27.Candy - Robbie Williams, 3.60
28.How Deep Is Your Love - Take That, 3.52
29.The Road To Mandalay - Robbie Williams, 3.50
30.Uptown Girl - Westlife, 3.38

31.Real To Me - Brian McFadden, 3.33
32.Babe - Take That, 3.26
33.Sing - Gary Barlow, 3.22
34.Seasons In The Sun - Westlife, 3.11
35=Mandy - Westlife, 2.86
35=You Raise Me Up - Westlife, 2.86
37.Unbreakable - Westlife, 2.77
38.Queen Of My Heart - Westlife, 2.55
39.Forever Love - Gary Barlow, 2.35
40.Against All Odds - Westlife, 2.30

Take That Top 10 Rated

1.Patience - 8.00
2.Back For Good - 6.61
3.These Days - 6.38
4.Shine - 5.86
5.Greatest Day - 5.82
6.Relight My Fire - 5.04
7.Everything Changes - 4.82
8.Pray - 4.75
9.Never Forget - 4.59
10.Sure - 4.00

Westlife Top 10 Rated

1.Flying Without Wings - 4.88
2.Swear It Again - 4.54
3.World Of Our Own - 4.23
4.If I Let You Go - 4.21
5.I Have A Dream - 4.00
6.My Love - 3.87
7.The Rose - 3.67
8.Fool Again - 3.63
9.Uptown Girl - 3.38
10.Seasons In The Sun - 3.11

Posted by: jay727 7th April 2019, 08:55 PM

Very interesting! So this was just a reader poll?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 7th April 2019, 11:25 PM

Yes. Done over months, three years given at a time between 1952 and 2018, scored for a week and then averages complied after voting closed.

Posted by: jay727 8th April 2019, 06:22 PM

Wow! Out of interest, any surprises there for you?

Posted by: nirvanamusic 9th April 2019, 01:59 PM

Everything Changes being scored higher than Pray and Never Forget.

The interesting thing is Sure is higher ranked by general public than by the fanbase, it would appear. Brief instrumental of song is regularly featured in Derry Girls, namely the dramatic change after piano intro and into first chorus.

All four comeback chart toppers ranking so highly, especially These Days, always assumed this was fan #1 due to sole week at top and supported as first by them as a three piece.

Westlife their four highest are all original songs and their best.

Interesting to see how Rule The World would have scored, as we know it was #2 behind Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis for weeks. That song was scored 6.92 overall and would rank second in TT,WL,GB,RW,BM list above behind Patience.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 11th January 2020, 04:03 PM

UK Sales - Original Studio albums, Live Albums and Greatest Hits As of the end of 2019.

Take That

Take That & Party (1992), 870,000
Everything Changes (1993), 1.3 million
Nobody Else (1995), 680,000
Greatest Hits (1996), 1.2 million
Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection (2005), 2.4 million
The Platinum Collection (2006), 60,000
Beautiful World (2006), 2.8 million
The Circus (2008), 2.3 million
The Greatest Day - Take That Present The Circus Live (2009), 514,000
Progress (2010), 2.4 million
Progress Live (2011), 175,100
III (2014), 579,200
Wonderland (2017), 220,946
Odyssey (2018), 337,800

The Best Of Take That (2001), Forever...Greatest Hits (2002) and Odyssey - Greatest Hits Live (2019) are all currently below 60,000 UK sales.

Westlife

Westlife (1999), 1.5 million
Coast To Coast (2000), 1.8 million
World Of Our Own (2001), 1.2 million
Unbreakable - Greatest Hits, Vol 1. (2002), 1.8 million
Turnaround (2003), 778,000
Allow Us To Be Frank (2004), 717,000
Face To Face (2005), 1.3 million
The Love Album (2006), 1 million
Back Home (2007), 992,730
Where We Are (2009), 600,000
Gravity (2010), 381,500
Greatest Hits (2011), 702,300
Spectrum (2019), 131,200

The Love Songs (2014) is currently below 60,000 UK sales.

UK Singles - Platinum+

Take That:

Triple Platinum: Over 1.8 million copies sold.

Rule The World (2007)

Double Platinum: Over 1.2 million copies sold.

Back For Good (1995)
Patience (2006)
Shine (2007)

Platinum: Over 600,000 copies sold.

Babe (1993)
Never Forget (1995)
How Deep Is Your Love (1996)
Greatest Day (2008)
The Flood (2010)
These Days (2014)

Westlife

Double Platinum: Over 1.2 million copies sold.

Uptown Girl (2001)

Platinum: Over 600,000 copies sold.

Swear It Again (1999)
Flying Without Wings (1999)
I Have A Dream/Seasons In The Sun (1999)
World Of Our Own (2002)
You Raise Me Up (2005)

Posted by: Charis 3rd February 2020, 01:17 PM

total album sales of Westlife are a bit over 13.2 million and singles close to 9.9 million in the UK, confirmed via OCC.
They are also certified for around 1.5 million DVDs. do you have a recent OCC article about Take That?