With the release of Eternal’s debut single ’Stay’ on Monday, September 20th 1993, Louise – along with bandmates Easther, Vernie and Kéllé – set out on a mission to conquer the world of pop!
Three decades later, and with over 15 million records sold worldwide, the singer celebrates her 30th anniversary in music with the unveiling of a brand new Greatest Hits album, made up 30 life-affirming tracks spanning from 1993 to 2023.
![Louise](https://celebmix.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/review-louise-delivers-truly-a-exhilarating-live-stage-show-to-celebrate-incredible-30-year-career-01.jpeg)
As a well-established, contemporary solo recording artist, whose enduring musical appeal has afforded her the space to change and evolve with each passing year, there can be no denying the intrinsic allure of Louise’s quintessentially British pop sound continues to resonate and hold significant meaning with her loyal army of followers – many of whom cite her songs as now being synonymous with some of the major cornerstones in their lives.
To celebrate this momentous milestone in Louise’s career, we caught up with fans of the singer both online, and IRL at her sold out show at Shepherds Empire in London, to talk about which tracks from her extensive back catalogue mean the most to them…
Michael Walton
‘Undivided Love’ because it was the moment I went from being a fan, to a STAN! I remember sitting in the back of my Dad’s car, listening to the Top 40 on the radio one Sunday evening coming home from our summer holiday, and when the DJ announced it had gone in at No. 5 I was so excited! I begged my Mum to take me to Woolworths the next day so I could buy it.
Georgia Baldwin
For me it’s got to be ‘Stretch’. Like Louise I’m a mum now, and I’d lost a bit of myself and who I was after having my baby. Hearing that song and seeing Louise out there living her best life made me feel like I could do the same… I couldn’t rock the leotard like she did in the video though!
Nicola Wright
‘Lead Me On’ because me and my friends played it constantly on our girls only summer holiday in Dubai back in 2019! Anytime I hear it now, I get the biggest smile on my face and I’m reminded of the crazy week we had over there – such happy memories! Congrats on 30 years in music Louise, and thanks for being the soundtrack to the ultimate girls trip!
Sally Hales
I was really, really insecure as a teenager, and was always looking in the mirror, picking myself apart and worrying about how I looked. Hearing ‘Beautiful Inside’ for the first time, made me realise that there was maybe more to life than just always trying to look pretty and perfect. I used to play it in my bedroom after school and scream the lyrics out loud like a lunatic… how embarrassing! I’m not saying it cured all of my anxieties about how I viewed myself, but it definitely helped to boost my self-esteem. Thanks Louise.
Ethan Hudson
Do you think she’ll hate me if I say ‘New York Moon’ is my favourite?
Louise – Light Of My Life (Official Music Video)
Will Whittaker
‘Arms Around The World’ has always been a fave of mine since it was first released all those years ago, but hearing it played live on 22nd December 2017 at Under The Bridge, after 14 YEARS of waiting was magic! I remember as the opening notes of the song played, a video montage appeared on the video screens on stage, and it was like Louise the pop star was back! Whenever I hear it now I’m transported back to that night – it was honestly one of the best moments of my life!
Another favourite of mine is ‘Breaking Back Together’. During the ‘Heavy Love’ era we saw a different side to Louise, she still the same person obviously, but now she had all of this added life experience and soul to her voice. The album as a whole tells a story, and when you listen to it you feel first hand, all of her pain and optimism throughout. This is the one song where I feel like we really got under the skin with – “diamonds only come from pressure, in time you’re gonna shine you’ll see” – fantastic!
Victoria Holdsworth
Okay so I was born in the mid 90’s, so I don’t really remember Louise’s early career. But what I do remember is seeing my older sisters dancing around the garden in the summer to ‘Naked’, so, weirdly, that song really resonates with me and makes me feel really nostalgic! I’m here at Shepherd’s Bush with one of my sisters tonight, so I can’t wait to see if Louise sings it during the show… I feel like she’s has to right?
Alex Yates
‘Just A Step From Heaven’ is an anthem! The video is so iconic, and totally stands shoulder to shoulder with the music videos you see on TV now… in fact it’s way better!!!!!! Absolutely loved the version Louise did on Radio 2’s Piano Room a while back – she sounded incredible, and really showed people what she was capable of!
Kristian Thompson
I was never really into pop music when I was younger to be honest with you, I was more of an R&B / soul / hip-hop fan. But when I heard ‘One Kiss From Heaven’ I was like: “what is this?” It’s so soulful and… am I allowed to say sexy! It gives me total TLC / Janet Jackson vibes. The kind of music 90’s British pop girls wished they could make, but Louise DID!
Kyle Miller
‘2 Faced’ because it has the greatest opening line ever: “hi girls…” it’s just as iconic as “it’s Britney bitch!”
Simone Barlett
Eternal were the soundtrack to my childhood, and I really wish the girls had made more music together as a four piece. So with that in mind, I think my favourite solo Louise song has got to be ‘Not The Same’ because I feel like it’s the kind of music the girls make together in 2023. Shout out to the choir singing on the track also, because they sound amazing!
Louise – Stretch (Official Music Video)
Simon Duke
‘In Walked Love’ – from the moment I heard the “ooh ooh ahh ahhs” at the start, I was instantly hooked on this far too often overlooked gem from Louise’s back catalogue! Having bought ‘Light Of My Life’ a few months earlier as my first ever CD single, this felt like Louise letting her hair down a bit, before she did that even more, and in a more x rated fashion with ‘Naked’! Still hits the spot every time she performs it live, and is so, so infectious!
James Rodriguez
I can’t get enough of “Super Magic” – it’s such a gem of a pop song! It puts the biggest smile on my face every time I listen to it. I feel like it’s a brilliant introduction to Louise for people who might not be familiar with her work.
Ceri Thomas
I’ve always loved ‘Pandora’s Kiss’. I think the heavier sound, and rocky guitars really suited Louise at that time – it was fresh, and totally different from anything she’d done before.
Matthew Johnson
I’ve been a massive Louise fan since she was in Eternal, and I’ve loved all her solo music. But I’ve gotta say, ‘High Hopes’ is my all time favourite of hers! I know it’s the most recent, but there’s just something so liberating about it! Made me feel really emotional the first time I heard it – can we have more bops like this in the future please Lou?
Benjamin Matthews
Can I pick two? ‘Oh Baby I…’ and ‘2 Faced’ – bit of a contrast right? My uncle used to babysit for me and brother when I was little, and he’d play the ‘Always & Forever’ album all the time, so that song really reminds me of him. And then ‘2 Faced’ because it’s so sassy, but also really classy! Like it’s such a brilliant way to tell someone to… go away!
Phil Stuchberry
My favourite Louise single is ‘In Walked Love’. She sounds so sweet and vulnerable in the verses… and then comes the euphoria of “out walked loneliness” as she moves into the chorus, and it’s like BOOM! To me, it’s the perfect mid-90s pop record, and really encapsulates her girl-next-door image from that time. It’s a scandal that it wasn’t a bigger hit.
Aside from the singles, I think her albums have a lot of charm. I love ‘The Best That You Bring’ from ‘Naked’, and ‘Settle For Nothing’ from ‘Heavy Love’. But her finest deep cut is ‘Reminds Me Of You’ from ‘Woman In Me’. The bridges on that track are so infectious – she really knows her way around a hook!
Louise – Super Magic (Official Music Video)
Louise Redknapp Central
‘Beautiful Inside’ is a banger of an anthem that encourages self-affirmation – it was way ahead of its time, and the one song of Louise’s I gravitate towards the most often! The aesthetics released along side the single were stunning – the artwork worthy of being on display in a museum. To this day the song fills me with happiness, and packs a punch with its powerful message.
Gary (Eternal Fansite)
It’s so hard to pick a favourite Louise song, because they’re all great in different ways… I’ll say ‘Naked’ though. From the psychedelic opening, the backing track, to the sultry vocals, the forever iconic spoken word in the middle 8, and of course the amazing music video and choreography. To me, this is THE song that cemented Louise as one the defining pop stars of the 90s.
Paul Scarth (In Walked Louise)
If I had to pick one track that I feel stands out from the rest, it would have to be ‘Just A Step From Heaven’. Although somewhat of an easy choice, for me it represents the memory of being in a room with hundreds of other fans, singing at the top of our voices, creating an atmosphere just full of love!
Daz Gale
‘In Walked Love’ – it’s one of those songs that never gets old! From the moment I first heard it played on the radio, I knew I’d love Louise as a solo artist as much as I did Eternal. Pure pop at its best… it never fails to put a smile on my face.
Karl Atkinson
‘Light Of My Life’ is my absolute favourite! I love it because this was her really coming into her own, and showing everyone she was an artist in her own right. I’ve been a huge fan of Louise since she was in Eternal, she’s always been my favourite singer, and this song gives me all the feels! Congratulations Louise on 30 years in the industry – here’s to the next 30! We love you.