Which band matched The Beatles for the most consecutive UK number ones?
You know when you hear The Beatles mentioned in the same breath as Westlife that things are perhaps a little afoot, so buckle in. This ride is probably going to get bumpy along the way.
It will seem almost sacrilegious to diehard rock fans everywhere - and not least a music journalist - to even be in a position of entertaining the idea that these two bands are in the same sort of league as one another, but the cold, hard truth of facts sometimes has a way of really twisting the knife. Yes, it's unfortunately true: the greatest rock band to have ever graced the world and the cheesy Irish 1990s boyband do have something in common, and it's actually pretty seismic.
They share the title of having the most consecutive UK number ones, both clocking in with no less than seven back-to-back hits, which soared straight to the top of the charts. The reign of the Fab Four commenced with 'A Hard Day's Night', released in 1964, and ran all the way for a further two years, with the double single of 'Yellow Submarine'/'Eleanor Rigby' marking the last crown in their streak upon its release in 1966.
To give all due credit, begrudgingly, to Westlife, they too matched this run of seven consecutive chart-toppers, starting with their debut song 'Swear It Again' hit the airwaves in 1999, and lasted through to the following year, in November 2000, when their song 'My Love' was released. Who'd have thought that, wherever they are, Brian Epstein and Louis Walsh would manage to cultivate the same hit-making strategy on their hands. It's a total outrage, to be honest.
Of course, this is only said in a tongue-in-cheek spirit because if Westlife just so happen to share one of the same achievements as The Beatles, then they can take the crown - the Fabs had plenty more where that came from, anyway. But with 'Penny Lane'/'Strawberry Fields Forever' only reaching number two upon its release in 1967, the reign was unceremoniously brought to an end - just like Westlife got knocked off course by 'What Makes a Man'. They're basically the same thing, right?
However, don't lose all faith, Beatlemaniacs - there is some small glimmer of hope for you yet. That track record of seven consecutive UK number ones only takes into account the band's contract under EMI, and doesn't consider a sneaky previous album which managed to slip in from across the States.
The album Ain't She Sweet was recorded in 1961 and later released in order to capitalise on the band's success - so although not official or chronological, if you were to take that logic as gospel, that would extend the Beatles' lead of consecutive chart-toppers to 11, starting with 'From Me to You'.
It's all very complicated business, and a mathematical nightmare that you can only ask a true chart historian to delve into, but we'll chalk up a win as a win. The Beatles once again are the emerging victors, leaving Westlife for dust in terms of songs, sales and longevity. It's the answer we knew would prevail all along, and the answer for that? Because it's the right one.