The Decade’s Pop Music: 2005 - 2009

By Hayley Thorpe

This year has been an emotional rollercoaster for the music industry with many highs and lows.

In March, Michael Jackson announced that he would do a series of shows named “This Is It”, spelling the end of his career in the music industry. The shows would be held at the O2 arena in London.Jacko-mania kicked in as fans flocked from all over the globe to get tickets to see their idol perform once more. Soon enough he had 50 shows pencilled in from July-August 2009, with additional shows in January-February 2010.Then in August, Michael Jackson suffered a heart attack before tragically dying, leaving the music industry mourning the king of pop.

Tributes flooded in from all over the globe and a shrine was soon set up outside the O2, where the singer would have said goodbye to his music career and to his adoring fans.

The X Factor obsession stepped up a gear again this year.

Millions of people tuned in to see what the judges would argue over this time, what Cheryl and Danni were wearing and whether they were friends or enemies.

Jedward mania took the country by storm this year. The twins were dubbed the new Ant and Dec, but just like Ant and Dec can you tell the difference between the two? I can definitely tell the difference between Ant and Dec, but I don’t have a clue with Jedward.

Whether you love them or loathe them, you have to admit they have been good Saturday night entertainment, with many tuning in just to see what song they demolished each week.

Many people only watch the auditions just to see who they can laugh at. I think everyone has tuned in once or twice merely for this reason, but this time around Louis actually put the most entertaining guys through to the live shows, which meant higher ratings.

This year’s final reminded me of the Pop Idol final between Will Young and Gareth Gates, although this time Gareth won, with Cheryl Cole’s protégé Joe McElderry taking the crown over Olly Murs.

Everything Cheryl touches seems to turn to gold, after winning the X Factor for the second year running. She also launched her solo career on the show, with the catchy hit single, “Fight For This Love”.A few long-awaited comebacks were also featured on the X Factor. Louis’ very own Westlife returned after a year away from the business. They unveiled their new single, “What About Now”, on the show. They had done no promotion until then, meaning the X Factor bagged an exclusive. Another good ratings day. Robbie Williams’ much anticipated return to the music industry was also staged on the X Factor, where he performed brand new single, “Bodies”, from his new album, “Reality Killed The Video Star.”Britain’s Got Talent saw the rise of an unlikely star in Susan Boyle.

Susan proved to the nation that we should never judge a book by its cover. Everyone, including the judges, expected her to either be downright awful or a comedienne when she walked on stage. Then she sang, the nation melted and since then she has broken records with her debut album “I Dreamed A Dream”. Susan became the fastest selling female artist ever and it was the most pre-ordered album in history. She even managed to keep comeback heart throbs Westlife and chart toppers Take That off the top spot.

The sudden death of Boyzone star Stephen Gately rocked the music industry in October, leaving fans, friends and his Boyzone brothers devastated.

Stephen died aged 33 at his holiday home in Majorca. His Boyzone bandmates said that he was at his fittest, healthiest and happiest in his life and that none of them could understand or come to terms with the loss. It is sad to think that after eight years apart the band reunited and toured the UK and Ireland twice before losing their funny man. It has been stated that Stephen was at his happiest as he had his Boyzone family back and was happily married to Andrew Cowles. He was also excited for the future, as 2010 would see his children’s book, “The Tree of Seasons”, published and a brand new Boyzone album released, among other things in the pipeline.The music industry has said goodbye to Michael Jackson and Stephen Gately, and hello to X Factor winner Joe McElderry and the annoying yet entertaining Grime twins, John and Edward.But will the X Factor winner Joe McElderry top the Christmas chart, or will Rage Against The Machine steal his thunder?