Sound of the Underground (album) written with the aim of launching their own girl group. The song was originally recorded in 2001 by London girl group Orchid, who disbanded before gaining a firm record deal. It was chosen by Girls Aloud's manager Louis Walsh as their debut single. "Sound of the Underground" was 2002's Christmas number one single and spent a further three weeks at number one. "Sound of the Underground" and another Xenomania production, Sugababes' "Round Round", have been called "two huge groundbreaking hits", credited with reshaping British pop music for the 2000s. Following the single's success, Girls Aloud proceeded to begin recording their
The Promise (Girls Aloud song) theme song of his 1980s British TV quiz show "Blankety Blank". "The Promise" was honoured as Best British Single at the 2009 BRIT Awards, Girls Aloud's first win at the ceremony. The song was also nominated for PRS for Music's Most Performed Work at the 2010 Ivor Novello Awards. It was also awarded the Popjustice £20 Music Prize. "The Promise" entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, knocking off Pink's "So What" from the top. Early midweek figures suggested that the song was outselling "So What" by nearly two to one. "The Promise" is Girls Aloud's first original number