In 2018, at the Allsang på Grensen event in Norway, excitement buzzed through the air as attendees anticipated the performance of Irish pop sensation Ronan Keating. The garden-like stage set the scene for an unforgettable musical moment. Keating, joined by Swedish music royalty Carola, walked onto the stage, ready to deliver a duet that would later amass over 21 million views on YouTube.
As the opening chords of “No Matter What” filled the air—a hit that skyrocketed Boyzone, Keating’s band, to global fame in 1998—the crowd hushed in awe of the union between these two celebrated artists. Keating, with over 20 million solo record sales and an additional 25 million with Boyzone, and Carola, a stalwart in Swedish music since the 1980s, were about to create magic.
Keating led with the song’s first verse, originally sung by the late Stephen Gately, and immediately hooked the audience. A particularly touching moment was when the camera captured a mother and daughter swaying to the music, fully immersed in the profound experience. The performance saw Keating and Carola seamlessly trading verses and joining voices, with Carola’s powerful vocals leaving Keating visibly impressed. Their beautiful collaboration concluded in a warm embrace and a bow to the cheering crowd.
I can’t deny what I believe
I can’t be what I’m not
I know, I know
I know this love’s forever
That’s all that matters now
No matter what
Meanwhile, Carola is a household name in Scandinavia, having made her monumental debut with the album “Främling” in 1983. She achieves unparalleled success in Sweden and even surpassing ABBA’s sales records. A three-time Eurovision contender for Sweden, she clinched victory in 1991, etching her name in the contest’s history.
Ronan Keating, now 46, continues to evolve his illustrious solo career after Boyzone disbanded. His latest album, “Songs from Home,” released in 2021, is a heartfelt homage to Irish music, featuring covers and an original track co-authored with Dan Healy. Beyond music, Keating has ventured into television, bringing his expertise to The Voice Kids UK and The Voice of Germany, showcasing his versatility and enduring appeal in the entertainment world. You can listen “When You Say Nothing At All”, one of Keating’s best solo songs below:
