Why Westlife’s music still feels like home - 25 years later

It has been just over 25 years since Westlife released their debut single, “Swear It Again”, launching them as one of the world’s biggest boy bands.

For longtime fans like me, their music has been more than just chart-topping ballads - it has been the soundtrack to different chapters of life.

When “Flying Without Wings" first played on the radio, I was young and didn’t fully understand love or loss, but I understood emotion. 

That song taught me that music could make you feel deeply, even when you couldn’t explain why. To this day, the first few piano notes still bring a wave of nostalgia.

As I got older, “World of Our Own” and “Uptown Girl" became the songs of joy - exciting reminders of friendship, dancing and teenage freedom.

They were songs you played loud in your room, pretending to be on stage with your friends, holding imaginary microphones.

Then came “You Raise Me Up”. It became the song for difficult days, a reminder that hope and faith always return.

Many fans, including me, have played it at family gatherings - it’s a song that connects generations.

I also remember being in primary school, specifically the intermediate phase, when there was a trend among us young girls to have a 'music book’.

In these books, we would write the lyrics of our favourite songs, bring them to class and have little singing moments together.

Let me tell you, Westlife’s music dominated those pages. At a young age, we would sing songs like “My Love”, “Swear It Again”, "Queen of My Heart" and “Fool Again” word for word.

Over the 25 years, the group has split, reunited and evolved. But every reunion feels like coming home.

Their concerts aren’t just about nostalgia - they’re celebrations of endurance and joy. Each fan sings every lyric, not because we’re stuck in the past, but because those songs still hold meaning.

If I had to choose my all-time favourites, they’d be:

• "Flying Without Wings" - for the heart.
• "My Love" - for the longing.
• "World of Our Own" - for the energy.
• "You Raise Me Up" - for the hope.
• "Hello My Love" - for showing that even after decades, they still have something to say.

Why are we spotlighting them? Well, if you didn’t know, the band is currently celebrating 25 years in the industry.

This anniversary isn’t just a milestone for them - it’s one for every fan who grew up with their music.

Their songs marked first crushes, heartbreaks, new beginnings and quiet Sunday afternoons. And as the years go by, they remain proof that simple, honest pop still has the power to bring people together.

The band is marking the milestone with a world tour, but sadly, no South African date has been set (weeping).