- - Iconic 2000s Boy Band Celebrates 26th Year of Fan-Favorite Song

Madz DizonJanuary 6, 2026 at 10:41 PM

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Irish boy band Westlife is celebrating a major milestone this week as they mark 26 years since the release of their beloved song, “I Lay My Love on You”.

Fans worldwide have shared memories of the track that continues to capture hearts more than two decades later. The band commemorated the anniversary with a heartfelt post on Instagram, sharing a clip of the music video and writing, “26 years ago we released I Lay My Love On You. Thank you for still loving this song as much as we do.”

The song, originally part of Westlife’s second studio album Coast to Coast (2000), was released internationally in January 2001. While it was never officially released in the UK, “I Lay My Love on You” gained popularity across Asia and Australia, even inspiring a Spanish version titled “En ti deje mi amor”.

Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne of Westlife during their performance with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall on October 27, 2025 in London, England.Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage

Its music video features the band traveling across countries like South Korea, Japan and Singapore, capturing both their performances and promotional activities for the album.

Westlife’s social media post sparked a wave of fan nostalgia.

“My favorite song! 😭❤️✨”, one fan commented.

Another shared, “Remember like it was. It's still my favourite music since I was second grader of elementary school😍😍”.

Other fans expressed surprise at the song’s longevity: “Was it really that long ago?” and “Still a banger even after 25 years 🙌”.

Many recalled how the song remained fresh in their hearts: “And I remember like it was yesterday! ❤️” and “Still enjoying it like the first time ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”.

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Westlife Prepares for Anniversary Tour

While celebrating past hits, Westlife is also gearing up for major plans in 2026. The band, now a trio of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan, is set to embark on their Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour, performing across Dublin, the UK and Europe.

However, longtime member Mark Feehily will not join the tour due to ongoing health issues, though he remains involved in the band’s new album.

Feehily, shared a personal message to fans about his condition, saying, “It’s been quite difficult to watch my band’s big World Tour launch knowing I won’t be able to be there… However, it’s been really amazing to see our band still flying so high, and the incredible global support that’s still there for us. YOUR support!”

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He added that while he isn’t ready for the physical demands of touring, he will be hosting special shows on Irish radio.

Filan said the tour will be “the best show we’ve ever done… picking the set list is always the hardest part because every fan has a different memory for that song”.

The upcoming tour promises to showcase Westlife’s biggest hits while offering fans a visually elevated experience, making it a celebration of both nostalgia and new memories.

Formed in 1998, Westlife has sold over 55 million records and achieved 14 UK No. 1 hits. The group originally included five members, but became a four-piece in 2004 after Brian McFadden left to pursue a solo career.

After a hiatus in 2012, they reunited in 2018 and have since performed in more than 30 countries.

Despite health setbacks and lineup changes, Westlife continues to connect with fans old and new. Their music, including timeless tracks like “I Lay My Love on You," demonstrates a rare ability to remain relevant across generations.

As Westlife celebrates the 26th anniversary of “I Lay My Love on You”, fans can look forward to both reliving cherished memories and experiencing new ones on the horizon.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pop Culture section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”