What My Heart Wants to Say explained

What My Heart Wants to Say
Type:studio
Artist:Gareth Gates
Cover:What My Heart Wants to Say.jpg
Released:26 October 2002
Recorded:2002
Genre:Pop
Length:63:07
Label:19, S, RCA, BMG
Producer:Mike Peden, Steve Mac, Jewels & Stone, David Kreuger, Per Magnusson, Cathy Dennis, Oskar Paul, Rob Davis, Simon Franglen
Next Title:Go Your Own Way
Next Year:2003

What My Heart Wants to Say is the debut album from the runner-up of the first series of Pop Idol, Gareth Gates. The album was released on 26 October 2002, almost a year after his success on the show. The album was produced by a team of well-known producers, including Steve Mac, Jewels & Stone, Mike Peden and Cathy Dennis. The album features a range of Gates' own material, as well as covers of some of his favourite songs.

Four singles were released from the album: "Unchained Melody", "Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)", "Suspicious Minds", and the title track, "What My Heart Wants to Say". In the UK, the album went on to achieve double platinum success, selling over 600,000 copies, and peaking at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart.

Background

Gates secured a record deal from Simon Cowell to his label, Sony BMG, after he became the runner-up to Will Young on the first series of talent competition Pop Idol in February 2002. Gates audition, a version of the popular Westlife track "Flying Without Wings", secured him entry into the show. Gates' first single, a cover of "Unchained Melody", entered the UK Singles Chart at number one. The single went double-platinum, and was voted 2002's The Record of the Year by viewers of ITV.

The track was followed by another number-one single, "Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)". His third single, a double A-side "Suspicious Minds" and "The Long and Winding Road", a duet with Young, also reached number one. His fourth single, the album's title track, "What My Heart Wants to Say", reached number five. The album achieved first week sales of over 100,000 copies, peaking at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and eventually earning double platinum status.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2002–03)Peak
position
European Albums Chart[1] 13
Hungarian Albums (Mahasz)[2] 10
Irish Albums (IRMA)[3] 19

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)Position
UK Albums (OCC)[4] 30
Chart (2003)Position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[5] 99

Certifications

Notes and References

  1. Hits of the World - Eurochart. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 16 November 2002. 25 July 2012. 49.
  2. Web site: Kereső - előadó/cím szerint - Archívum - MAHASZ - Magyar Hangfelvétel-kiadók Szövetsége . Zene.slagerlistak.hu . 2014-01-19.
  3. Web site: Steffen Hung . Discography Gareth Gates . irishcharts.com . 2014-01-19.
  4. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 2002. Official Charts Company. 26 October 2015.
  5. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. German. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. 15 July 2020.