They were signed by Simon Cowell and are managed by Louis Walsh. In 2008, they were declared as Republic of Ireland's ninth-richest celebrities under 30 years old and 13th in general. They garnered 14 number one singles in the United Kingdom, the third-highest in UK history, tying with Cliff Richard and trailing behind only Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The group has also broken a few top records, including "Music artist with most consecutive number 1's in the UK" and the "Biggest selling arena act in the Wembley Arena".
Over years of their career, Westlife's music has evolved from teen pop to a pop sound, with an emphasis on ballads. Most of the group's hits have been composed by experienced songwriters, most notably Steve Mac and Wayne Hector.
On 1 June 2008, Westlife marked their 10th anniversary with a concert in Croke Park, Dublin which saw more than 83,000 fans attending the special occasion. Music Week revealed on their website that Westlife is the official third top touring act within the years 2005–2008, while they were 7th top touring act of 2008.
They have announced that they are to split in 2012 after 14 years following a final tour.
Too Hard to Say Goodbye
Westlife Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're all that I can see
I hold you in my heart
And know you're watching over me
Standing by your side
It felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
And fight the tears inside
I can't turn the page or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
From you I learnt it all
You would never let me fall
Love won't come undone
Between a father and his son
Standing by your side
Felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
I would face the darkest day
And fight the tears inside
I can't turn the page or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
There will come a day
I'll have to walk alone
And I'll have to make it on my own
You taught me all there is to know
Dad I'll never let you go
Standing by your side
I felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
I would face the darkest day
Fight back the tears inside
But I can't turn this page or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
Just can't say goodbye
The Westlife's song Too Hard to Say Goodbye is a touching tribute to a father who has passed away. Every time the singer closes his eyes, his father is all he can see, showing that his father is always present in his life. The lyrics speak to the deep love and admiration that the singer had for his dad, who was not only his parent but also a teacher and a role model. The bond between a father and a son is strong and unbreakable, and the chorus emphasizes the difficulty of letting go, of saying goodbye.
The second verse adds to the importance of the relationship between the father and son, as the father had never let his son fall and was the source of his son's knowledge. The bridge speaks to the inevitability of the son having to walk alone, but he will carry the lessons his father taught him with him on that journey.
This song speaks to the experience of loss of a loved one, but it also speaks to the legacy that a father can leave behind for his son. The son is left to carry on his father's teachings, memories, and love, and it's that bond that makes it too hard to say goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I close my eyes
Whenever I try to relax and forget everything around me
You're all that I can see
All I can think of is the image of the person I love
I hold you in my heart
I store the loving memories of you in my heart
And know you're watching over me
And believe that you are protecting me from above
From you I learnt it all
I owe everything I know to you
You would never let me fall
You have always been my pillar of support and never let me down
Love won't come undone
Our love is unbreakable and lasts for eternity
Between a father and his son
Because the bond between a dad and his kid is special
There will come a day
A time will come
I'll have to walk alone
When I will have to survive without you
And I'll have to make it on my own
I have to learn to cope independently
But I can't turn this page or hold back the time
But I can't change the past or make time stop
Standing by your side
Whenever I'm closer to you
Felt like I could fly
I feel like I can do anything and take on the world
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
If I could be only half as great as you appear to me
I would face the darkest day
I would brace myself for any tough time
Fight back the tears inside
Suppress my emotions to prevent breaking down
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too difficult to part ways
Just can't say goodbye
I simply don't have the strength to bid goodbye
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN SHANKS, KIAN EGAN, NICKY BYRNE, SHANE FILAN, MARK FEEHILY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arfi Liswanah
Westlife - Too Hard To Say Goodbye
Everytime I close my eyes
You're all that I can see
I hold you in my heart
And know you're watching over me
Standing by your side
It felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
And I could face the darkest day
And fight the tears inside
I can't turn the page or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
From you I learnt it all
You would never let me fall
Love won't come undone
Between a father and his son
Standing by your side
Felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
I would face the darkest day
And fight the tears inside
I can't turn the page or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
There will come a day
I'll have to walk alone
And I'll have to make it on my own
You taught me all there is to know
Dad, I'll never let you go
Standing by your side
I felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man that you are in my eyes
I would face the darkest day
Fight back the tears inside
But I can't turn this page or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
Just can't say goodbye
Jason Smalls
Standing by your side
Felt like I could fly
If I could be half the man
That you are in my eyes
I would face the darkest day
And fight the tears inside
I can't turn the page
Or hold back the time
It's too hard to say goodbye
It's too hard to say goodbye
Angel Wings
Its been 8year's since my Dad died this song was playing on the way home from the hospital after he had passed away ...I cried all the way home . I saw a white feather this morning and I knew he was near listening to this song again has made him closer to me even though tears 😢 are running down my face as I write this x
God’child
piece of love❣❣
blehcora
So sorry
Mary Stewart
Markin a way home...heavy herthing
Carmen Padilla
You made me cry. Sorry!😭
amina nambuya
Sorry 😭
Nourished by Music
My loved ones are not even gone but the fact that one day this song will be accurate to me is....really depressing. Amazing voice and talent, truly emotional.
Ire Heart Crafting
Westlife will always be my favorite boy band! I miss them! <3
Patrick Sophia
@Christen Conner🌻🌹 hi beautiful 🌹🌹🌹, how are you doing
Patrick Sophia
Hello beautiful 🌹🌹,how are you