Westlife: Our Story

by Martin Roach, Westlife

The Sunday Times No1 bestseller! The biggest pop band in the world celebrate 10 years at the top - telling their full story in their own words for the very first time. 40 million albums 14 UK number 1 singles 7 UK number 1 albums Westlife have had more number ones than any other artist apart from The Beatles and Elvis and with songs that have become modern classics like Flying without Wings, they have ensured their place in the annals of pop history. Westlife - Our Story will chart the highs and lows of their phenomenonal career and a unique friendship that has seen them endure as a band for an extraordinary ten years. The book will chronicle the band's story from the grass-roots of Sligo, Ireland to multi-platinum records, celebrity collaborations and chart achievements. But bubbling under this public face is a private and unseen story never before recorded, crammed with candid personal revelations, including of course the departure of Brian McFadden. Westlife have been a staple part of British entertainment for years, yet the public has no idea of the astounding life they have led - and still live - behind the headlines and soundbites. Here, for the first time, Westlife will take us into their confidence and reveal their lives and amazing ten year journey as the UK's biggest pop band as never before.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Autobiography

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2008

Reviews

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Westlife fan since I was 9 (1999) and when they announced their split I wanted to read their book a second time. It's a fantastic book for fans of the band but one I think the haters who think Westlife isn't 'proper music' because they don't write (all) their own songs or play an instrument should read. They actually explain the choice behind singing (mostly) covers and each member has a huge passion for music and you can tell that from the way they write/talk. When they talk about 'I'm Already There' Shane talks about how it made him cry and how the band felt they had to sing it, that for me is better than them singing a song they wrote themselves which might not have been as good and might not have meant as much to them. /slightlyofftopic.

It's nice to read about their lives away from the band as well. The only downside to the book now is the end where they talk about how they want the band to go on for another ten years, when clearly that isn't going to happen now. But I think a lot of it is down to record sales, they talk about how they didn't want any of their albums to sell less than a million and with each album selling less and less it's better for them to part ways (unfortunately).

A must-read for Westlife fans though.

[Diep Vu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Có thể đây là một cuốn sách khá bình thường với nhiều người, nhưng với bản thân mình, đây là một cuốn sách thật tuyệt vời. Nó không những gợi nhớ về một tuổi thơ cùng sống, cùng ăn, cùng ngủ với những bài hát của Westlife mà từng câu, từng chữ của cuốn sách đọc lên nghe rất thật, rất đỗi tình cảm và thân thương như chính con người của các chàng trai này vậy.

[Zarah Larsson ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. i really enjoyed this. i've always liked westlife's music and i listen to multiple of their songs but i've never really been invested in the band and known much about them etc. i just had their songs on my playlists, so i really enjoyed reading this and getting to know the band a bit more.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really interesting read!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the hype of their career, it was a pre- social media world, where even the internet wasn’t like today, and most information about bands were on fan created webpages. Living in North America, we received even less information and tidbits on Westlife. This was a really interesting read and I still marvel at just how big of a band they are, 14 number 1 singles and singing for crowds of 82,000 people. This book was written in 2009, so it would be great to read a new biography about their major comeback after their hiatus, writing and singing more original songs and their separation from Simon cowell.

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a really interesting read since Westlife were one of my favourite boy bands, sorry male vocal groups. Since the book is by each of the band members you get a real insight to how it will began and every little bump and hurdle along the way. Sure the public gets to see somethings, but we miss out on the real gritty stuff and read about that was really exciting. I really enjoyed finding out more about how the band formed and what it was like in their early days.

[Aseel Almolliyeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not what I usually read or give 4 stars to but as I was obsessed with Westlife as a teenager, I found this book really exciting to read. I guess the teenage girl in me will never go away!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having used to be a rabid fangirl in the first few years of Westlife's career, I found this book a nice walk down memory lane. It's an easy and fast book to read (I finished it in a couple of hours) and it reminds me once again how much fun I had while I was a fan of theirs.

The book itself, however, isn't extraordinary. It's basically the same rehashed story that most Westlife fans would've known by heart. Plus, they've had an 'official' book before and half the content of this book isn't too different from that one. The only difference with this one is that there's more to tell... more like the old book updated. That said, the book does have a more grown up feel to it than the sugar-coated stories we've heard around before. Not as raw as some other biographies can be, but the use of language is more colourful, to say the least, and the topics covered are more mature - relationships, families, etc. Obviously, having been in the business for a decade, the band has matured as (most of) the fans have too, so it's all good fun, I'd say!

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. I remember seeing Westlife for the first time back in 1998 when they where supporting Boyzone and I must admit I fell in love - I was 14 at the time. To be honest though nothing has changed, I own all the CD's and have been to see them twice so far. It was great to read how they got together and how the band went from strenght to strenght - the wild partying and the fact that they have never fallen out, even when Brian left they stood together and came back stronger. I also loved the pictures that they included, Nicky's twins are so cute and Shane little girl is gorgeous. I hope to follow them for the next 10 years.

[Caroline L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a massive Westlife fan and I read this book hoping I would find out more about my favourite boyband. But apart from a few little things I had already known nearly everything that is commented in this book. However I did enjoy reading it because you see what it's all really like and how down to earth they still are. Some things I didn't like about the book was how it was written. It's like listening to a tape and not reading a book because they didn't write it themselves. And another thing is the language. I wouldn't recommend this book to under 12 year olds. But I really likes the pictures in the book because many of them were unknown to the fans.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

i've been a fan of Westlife ever since I can remember.
And I can't help but falling in love with them every time a new album comes out.

I'm not a big fan of artists writing their biographies. However I can't stop myself from buying the ones from artists I love (even though they didn't write it theirselves)

This one however is written with Westlife. It has everything I always wondered about and more. Every band member gets to tell a part of the Westlife story. And it didn't bore me.
I do think you have to be a fan to like it.
It's a pretty good read when you're a fan. I really enjoyed it. And I think I will read it again someday.

[Emz Cadiao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Fan of Westlife since I was 15 (2000).... I really love dem... I like their songs compare to other boy band.... thats why when they splitted I really cried.... almost a year w/out Westlife... still the Westlifers are hoping that one day Westlife will re unite.... missing them so much.... thet are the best boy band in the world ever.... Westlife will remain forever in my heart ♥♡♥♡

[Sanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an old Westlife fan, I had to read this book. It was an OK book, but I don't know if others than fans would appreciate it. It's about when they were kids, how Westlife was created and some bits about their singles/albums.

[Annisa Rizka · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's just kinda good and funny to know how this band's working all their success out.
Plus, the way they telling the story is really fun to read. It's more like watching their interview than reading a book.

[Ainoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to see things from the point of view fo the band members; to see them as people and not only as members of a pop band. of course, a lot of time has passed since this book and they have surely changed, but it was interesting nonetheless.

[Amiranabila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best autobiography from Westlife :-)

[Iona Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it. Simple.

[Samar Nasseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely enjoyed reading this. it's an easy read, and a very interesting history. you can really tell it's told from each of the guys' perspectives, because of the language used.

[Dini Handayani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book ..about westlife..:)

[Cynthia Ranjeeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

So real, so touching. Makes my love for them even stronger.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any Westlife fan. It gives a real insight into the band. Great read.