What My Heart Wants to Say is the debut album from the runner-up of the first series of Pop Idol, Gareth Gates. The album was released on 26 October 2002, almost a year after his success on the show. The album was produced by a team of well-known producers, including Steve Mac, Jewels & Stone, Mike Peden and Cathy Dennis. The album features a range of Gates' own material, as well as covers of some of his favourite songs.
The track was followed by another number-one single, "Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)". His third single, a double A-side "Suspicious Minds" and "The Long and Winding Road", a duet with Young, also reached number one. His fourth single, the album's title track, "What My Heart Wants to Say", reached number five. The album achieved first week sales of over 100,000 copies, peaking at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and eventually earning double platinum status.