"Better Man" is a song by Irish pop vocal band Westlife. It was released by Virgin EMI Records on 29 March 2019 as the second single from the band's eleventh studio album, Spectrum. It is their second single released under Universal Music Group and Virgin EMI Records. The song was written by Ed Sheeran, Fred Again, Steve Mac and Wayne Hector. As of 30 November 2021, this is their twentieth biggest single of all time in the United Kingdom.
This is their second number-one hit in the UK Singles Physical Chart and number-two in UK Singles Sales Chart and Scottish Singles Chart in 2019 and in 2010s decade. The single is their 29th Top 10 hit in Ireland and 28th Top 40, and 29th Top 75 hit in the United Kingdom.
Background, development, and release Since they announced their breakup in 2011 and their last appearance together in 2012, several rumors about them reuniting and making new musics have appeared. On 23 September 2018, several Irish news outlets started reporting that the group has been signed to Universal Music Group and Virgin EMI Records for a new music record deal. On 3 October 2018, the group announced that there would be new music coming soon.
This song is set in the key of B major, in a moderate time signature. The vocal range of this piece ranges from F3 to B4 (Feehily's harmony).
Music video The music video was directed by Lochlainn "Locky" McKenna and was filmed in Dublin, Ireland in two locations. The band were shot in the historic Windmill Lane Studios. The music video depicts a teenage romance blossoming in 1993, and they become estranged after the boy ignores her after a school performance, but they soon get back together. That same girl is shown in the recording studio where the band is singing the song, all grown up. And she is married to that same boy, and they have a kid together.
Tours performed at The Twenty Tour (2019)
Formats and track listings Digital download "Better Man" – 3:17
Digital download "Better Man" – 3:23
CD single / streaming "Better Man" – 3:17 "Better Man" – 3:23
Digital download / streaming "Better Man" – 3:13
Credits and personnel Westlife (Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan) – vocals, associated performer Ed Sheeran – songwriting Steve Mac – production, songwriting, keyboards, piano Fred Again – songwriting Wayne Hector – songwriting Chris Laws – drums, engineering, mixing Dann Pursey – engineering John Parricelli – guitar Dave Arch – strings, arranger Steve Pearce – bass Dick Beetham – mastering Duncan Fuller – engineering Mike Horner - engineering
Charts Chart (2019) Peakposition China Airplay/FL (Billboard) 44 Denmark Digital Songs (Billboard)10 New Zealand Digital Songs (Billboard) 9 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 26 Sweden Digital Songs (Billboard) 5
Certifications
Release history Region Date Format Version Label Various 29 March 2019 Airplay, CD, digital download, streaming Orchestral, original Universal Music Group, Virgin EMI 26 April 2019 Digital download, streaming Acoustic
References