Girls Aloud: Ten Years At The Top

Girls Aloud were a pop band that have dominated the music charts for the best part of a decade, releasing five iconic studio albums and reinvigorating the mantra of 'Girl Power!' From their humble beginnings to then becoming superstars. Girls Aloud have proved their critics very wrong! Let's go on a journey, shall we? How much did Girls Aloud actually achieved over their ten year reign? Are these girls just 'gift wrapped kitty cats?' So, Cheryl, Nadine, Kimberly, Nicola and Sarah! Show me what you've all got! 

Reality show 'Popstars: The Rivals' scoured the nation to find Britain's next top girl and boy band who would fight for the Christmas number one single. Girls Aloud was born, comprised of five feisty young ladies, there stood the next biggest girl band after the 'Spice Girls'. It didn't take much thinking because Girls Aloud hit the number one spot with their debut single, 'Sound of The Underground'. I don't think that the country was ready for Britain's newest girl band?! Girls Aloud went on to release their debut album, titled 'Sound of The Underground' which was released on 26th of May 2003. This album went to number two in the charts and was certified platinum, also claiming four top ten singles to add to their early success. Judging by that fact its a testament to say that these five girls were going for gold! You can definitely say that I was a fan from the very beginning! Go Girls! Go Go! We needed 'Something New' to listen to! 

Girls Aloud definitely had the catchiest pop songs of the day, if not a little cheesy these songs secured this group to become a household name. Their camp catchphrases kept coming after the release of singles, 'Love Machine' and 'Something Kinda Ooh'. Proclaiming the lyrics 'We're gift wrapped kitty cats!' and 'Let's go eskimo! Out into the blue'. Very clever and crazy writing by record producers at Xemomania, someone knows their trade! Girls Aloud worked their sexy but mainstream image, over time cleverly morphing from young women to sophisticated ladies of pop. 

This girl band had the honor of releasing the 'Children In Need' single in 2004 with the song 'I'll Stand By You'. The girls were unrecognisable in the music video for this release compared to their early days after 'Popstars: The Rivals' only a positive thing in my opinion. Girls Aloud would go on to revolutionise the face of pop music, we hadn't had a 'Great British' girl band since the 'Spice Girls'. Going onto releasing five studio albums in total Girls Aloud hit the road with their signature arena tours, wowing audiences all across the 'United Kingdom!' I went to see their 2008 'Out of Control Tour' at Birmingham's 'National Indoor Arena'. Could the fast paced nature of their work burn these girls out before they hit the ultimate top? 

What would Girls Aloud's next step be? 2008 brought 'The Passions of Girls Aloud' an experimental reality show, which followed the girls pursue one of their 'passions' away from the group. Pictured to the right is Kimberley Walsh, incharacter as 'Princess Fiona' during her run at London's 'Theatre Royal, Drury Lane' for 'Shrek: The Musical'. Kimberley's 'passion' was to star in a 'West-End' show, which happened to be 'Les Miserables' playing the part of 'Eponine' for one night only! What would the future hold for the girls when they decided to take their hiatus? 

Meanwhile, Cheryl danced with 'Wil.i.am' on his new video and Nicola went to 'Taiwan' to formulate her own makeup brand for women with pale skin. This show was probably the first of its kind for a pop band in recent times. But going back to Kimberley's 'passion' she has actually followed through by becoming a huge part of the 'Musical Theatre' scene in London, releasing her own solo album based on her favorite musical show tunes. Kimba did good! But I'm sure Miss Cheryl kept in contact with a certain 'Wil.i.am' ...  But lets leave that for another time! So, 'it begs the question whether 'The Passions of Girls Aloud' predicted the girls future endeavours at that time? 

Cheryl Cole, Newcastle's sweetheart went solo in 2009 not long after Girls Aloud announced that they would be taking a hiatus. Cheryl had already spent two years as a judge on reality show, 'The X Factor' before embarking on her first solo project. Releasing her debut single 'Fight For This Love' Miss Cole premiered her debut performance of her new single on the live finals of 'The X Factor' now if that isn't a clever move then I'll be damned! Cheryl Cole released her debut album titled '3 Words' shortly after her 'X Factor' performance, this album soared to the top of the charts and it also went 3x Platinum! 

This Geordie beauty released a second solo album in 2010, titled 'Messy Little Raindrops'. This album charted equally as well compared to her debut release '3 Words' as well as having a killer lead single 'Promise This'. Cheryl had just returned from a holiday in Tanzania, Africa which, turned to be the beginning of a turbulent time for the singer. After a period of illness Cheryl bounced back, premiering her new single 'Promise This' on 'The X Factor' a coincidence might you say? Nonetheless, Cheryl had great success with this record and continued her time judging alongside 'Simon Cowell' and 'Dannii Minogue'. I did wonder what the other four girls were up to during the hiatus? 

Cheryl Cole had transformed herself into 'Cheryl' by the time she released her third solo album, don't judge her! 'A Million Lights' saw Cheryl release the lead single 'Call My Name' and embark on her first solo tour in 2012. Could this 'Angel of the North' do no wrong? Evidently so because she has triumphed in whatever she turned her hand to during the hiatus of Girls Aloud ... Do I sense a comeback could be on the cards? 

Ten years had passed since Girls Aloud had been formed on reality show 'Popstars: The Rivals' and the chimes of a comeback could be heard! It had been three years since Girls Aloud had announced their hiatus. Come on girls! Give us what we want! On the 19th of October 2012, a press conference was called in London to signify the reunion of Girls Aloud, we could all breathe a sigh of relief! Girls Aloud announced they would be embarking on a tour that would celebrate their 'Ten' year anniversary. Branded the 'Ten: The Hits Tour' Girls Aloud released a greatest hits album called 'Ten' which contained four new songs, including their comeback single 'Something New'. Would this reunion tour and album mean Girls Aloud were writing the final chapter of their career as a five piece band? 

Girls Aloud kept very tight lipped about the future of the band after the tour, but speculation was rife because critics suggested no new recordings were planned for the future. Girls Aloud took their 'Ten: The Hits Tour' nationwide across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, ending their tour on the 20th March 2013 at Liverpool's 'Echo Arena'. For on the 20th March 2013 Girls Aloud announced they were no more, the end had arrived! Girls Aloud have undoubtedly left their mark, proclaiming 'We're The Leader's Of The Pack!' Girls band definitely have a lot to live up to, Girls Aloud may be no more but their contribution to pop music will always stay!

We Want 'Something New' !!! Go Girls Aloud !!! You're The Leader's Of The Pack !!!Joseph Harrison