Music
Five of the Best: Ronan Keating
Today’s Five of the Best focuses on Ronan Keating, the Irish hit-maker with the sublime voice.
Ronan Keating is the master of the ballad and has had enormous success throughout the world with his emotive and powerful tunes. Ronan Keating has enjoyed huge success in his native Ireland, but he is also a household name in the UK and Australia as well as throughout Europe.
Bursting onto the scene as part of the mega-popular boy band, Boyzone, Ronan Keating went solo in 1999 releasing the massive single When You Say Nothing At All and his debut, self-titled album in 2000.
While he is best known for his music, Ronan Keating has become a staple of Australian television audiences appearing on the X Factor and more recently The Voice.
Over the past few years, Ronan Keating has been performing with Boyzone, but the singer is set for a series of solo shows throughout Australia in October and November. Tour details are listed below – click here to buy tickets now.
Ronan has a long catalogue of great songs, but we have chosen to focus specifically on his ballads for our Five of the Best. And just for good measure we have also included two duets he has performed with two legends of the industry. Enjoy this edition of Five of the Best.
5 She Believes (In Me)
Many people are not aware of this, but Ronan Keating’s 2004 song, She Believes (In Me) is actually a cover of a Kenny Rogers hit, which was released in 1979. The song was a big hit for Rogers and was also a strong performer on the music charts when released by Ronan Keating as the second single on his Turn It On album. The track went to number two on the UK singles charts and was a top 10 hit in multiple countries throughout Europe. Keating’s version has slightly altered lyrics from the original, but the overall track the theme – a song dedicated to a beloved who supports him – is true to the 1979 version.
4 This I Promise You
This I Promise You was not a commercial success for Ronan Keating, however we feel it is a shining example of his ability to write (alongside Paul Barry and Mark Taylor) an emotional love song. The song was released was included on his 2006 album, Bring You Home. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t watched a bride and groom dance to this track on their wedding day – it was almost like it was written especially for a couple’s first dance! Listen for yourself; we think this is a great example of Ronan’s work.
3 The Way You Make Me Feel
Not many people realise this, but The Way You Make Me Feel was actually written by Canadian singer songwriter Bryan Adams and song writing partner Phil Thornalley. But Ronan Keating can certainly take credit for making the song what it is today. The track was released as the third single from his debut solo album, Ronan, which hit the market in 2000. The track was a top 10 hit in Ireland, the UK and New Zealand and received significant radio play throughout Australia. Even though it didn’t top the charts in Australia, we think it is one of Ronan’s best ballads and great example of his vocal nous.
2 If Tomorrow Never Comes
Ronan Keating loves a cover song. One of his most commercially successful and popular songs is actually a cover of a hit country track by Garth Brooks. If Tomorrow Never Comes was the lead single on Ronan’s second studio album, Destination, which was released in 2002. While the Garth Brooks version topped the country charts in the USA and Canada in 1989, it was the Ronan Keating version that enjoyed mainstream, commercial success, reaching the top 10 in a dozen countries, including Number 1 in the competitive UK market. This is one of Ronan’s best-known songs and is no doubt a favourite among his fans. Listen for yourself; he has turned it into a classic.
1 When You Say Nothing At All
You can’t talk about Ronan Keating without mentioning his epic hit, When You Say Nothing At All. The track, which is a beautiful ballad and expertly performed by Ronan Keating, was no doubt helped along by the fact it accompanied one of the best rom-coms of 1990s, Notting Hill. When You Say Nothing At All was Ronan’s debut into the solo circuit, and what a debut it was! The song catapulted Ronan Keating to the top of the charts in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand and into the top 10 of a further 11 countries. Again, while it isn’t widely known, this song is not a Ronan Keating original. But it was certainly his version that launched it into the stratosphere of popular culture. This is not doubt Ronan Keating’s signature song and a great tune. We hope you will agree.
Duet
Father and Son with Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens)
In 2004, Ronan Keating teamed up with the legendary Yusuf Islam (previously known as Cat Stevens) to perform a duet of one of Yusuf’s biggest hits, Father and Son. The duet was released as a single on Ronan’s 2004 compilation album, 10 Years of Hits.
We’ve Got Tonight with Lulu
Ronan Keating and Lulu gave Bob Seger’s 1978 hit, We’ve Got Tonight, a refresh in 2002, releasing it as a duet on Lulu’s 2002 album, Together. The track was very popular throughout the UK and Europe and was also a top 20 hit in Australia and New Zealand.
Ronan Keating Tour Dates
Arts Centre Melbourne
Friday October 28
State Theatre, Sydney
Tuesday November 1
Kings Park (WA)
Saturday November 12
Click here to purchase tickets.
