Following the release of his new album ‘Twenty Twenty’ last Friday, one of the most-loved singers of our generation Ronan Keating scores his highest chart position in over a decade, landing the No.2 spot on the UK Official Albums Chart. His album ‘Songs For My Mother’ went to No.1 eleven years ago in 2009.
This chart position gives Ronan his ninth Top 10 solo album and marks exactly 20 years since the release of his self-titled debut solo album, which landed the top spot in August 2000
After months of careful planning, Ronan had his sights on another No.1 album, however his hopes of bagging the top spot were dashed with the surprise release of Taylor Swift’s new album. Ever the gentleman, Ronan says, “Thanks to everyone who bought ‘Twenty Twenty’ this week and gave me my ninth Top 10 solo album. In what has been a crazy year for us all so far, a No.1 album would have been brilliant, but the amazing Taylor Swift has jumped in there! Many congratulations to her and to every artist that’s releasing new music and reminding people just how important that is for us all through these difficult times. #LetTheMusicPlay.”
Along with the recent arrival of a new baby, during lockdown Ronan filmed a socially distanced music video for his single ‘Little Thing Called Love’ at his property featuring his 3-year-old son Cooper. Watch it here.
‘Little Thing Called Love’ is just one of many original songs taken from Ronan’s new album which he describes as “a greatest hits of brand-new music”. For some of the new tracks, Ronan has called in some celebrity friends. Country music superstar Shania Twain lends her vocals to ‘Forever And Ever, Amen’, the powerfully emotive ‘The Big Goodbye’ – written in memory of Stephen Gately – features Ronan’s long-time friend Robbie Williams and Nina Nesbitt joins him on the heart-warming ballad ‘The One’.
‘Twenty Twenty’ also sees Ronan revisit three of his biggest hits. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Alison Krauss stars on his most-loved hit ‘When You Say Nothing At All’ with Ed Sheeran on guitar. The album also features brilliantly reworked versions of ‘Life is a Rollercoaster’ and ‘Lovin’ Each Day’.
Since the original break-up of Boyzone, one of the most successful Irish bands of the Nineties, Keating has forged a soaraway solo career: two back-to-back No.1 singles straight out of the gate, 30 consecutive Top 10 singles, 10 studio albums, multiple tours, 20 million records sold on top of the 25 million sold with Boyzone. In other areas, too, he’s happily stretched his wings: judging on both the X Factor and The Voice in Australia, acting for both television drama and film, a highly acclaimed stint on London’s West End and, now, bringing breakfast show entertainment to the nation with his morning radio show on Magic FM with Harriet Scott – accumulating the highest ratings ever in Magic Radio history.
Over the past 12 months Ronan has been tirelessly working on an album that celebrates an incredible solo career spanning two decades. He wants to acknowledge that he certainly doesn’t take this for granted: “There’s not a lot of artists that have been lucky enough to do 20 years and still be here.” There are even fewer who have matched a successful band career with a successful solo career. He adds, “I’m very honoured to have had that, so I wanted to mark it with an album like this.”
Despite these turbulent times, one thing that is certain is Ronan’s ability to capture the hearts of his fans with an album that encapsulates his many musical achievements since the millennium. ‘Twenty Twenty’ is a true testament to the love and respect shown to Ronan by his fans and he is excited to finally be able to share his new album with the world, just when we need it the most.
