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I'm not usually one to bandy the word "synergy" around, but when I heard that Westlife were covering Barry Manilow's legendary "Mandy", it seemed the only appropriate description. It's simply too good to be true: the gear change arrivistes pay homage to the master of the black art. I particularly enjoyed watching one of Westlife squirming on CD:UK when confronted about the song: Cat Deeley said that last time one of them had been on, they'd vowed to stop doing cover versions; yet here they were about one week later with "Mandy". The bloke from Westlife (let's call him Brian for the sake of argument) sheepishly had to recount how BMG boss Simon Cowell – of Pop Idol/American Idol fame – called them up to his office and "suggested" that they cover "Mandy". Brian was very clear about the fact that Westlife didn't want to do it, but was equally clear that Mr Cowell had made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

So a big pat on the back to Simon Cowell – who knows, perhaps he'd been checking out gearchange.org and thought he'd have a knowing laugh at Westlife's expense. On the other hand, maybe he just knows what the Great British Public want: not long afterwards, this won Record of the Year 2003. No, I'm absolutely serious, it really did.

Listen!