10 For... ROBBIE WILLIAMS (Pt. 1)
Welcome to Ten For, a feature where I take a look at the discographies of artists who tend to be known in the mainstream for only a few songs (if that), offering up a collection of tracks that will either serve as the start of an education or a squabble, depending on how you feel about the artist’s catalog.
Outside of the U.S., it’d be kind of laughable to suggest that Robbie Williams is anything other than the most mainstream of artists, but here in America, he’s had precisely two singles make their way onto the Billboard Hot 100, and neither of them cracked the top 40: “Millennium,” which stalled at #72, and “Angels,” which managed a chart high of #53 before beginning its descent. Compare this to Williams’ UK success, where he’s had 30 top-10 singles, seven of which were chart-toppers, and it’s evident just how much of a disconnect there is when it comes to his success at home vs. his success on these shores.
Because of this, however, I feel a lot more comfortable throwing some tracks into the mix that UK readers already know, just because the odds of American readers knowing them are slim to none.
With that, I present you with Pt. 1 of a two-part “10 For…” focusing on Robbie Williams, and here’s hoping you enjoy his work as much as I always have…
1. “Let Me Entertain You” (1997 – Life Through a Lens)
Normally I’d embed the actual video for the song, but I wanted to post this version which was filmed live at Knebworth in 2003, so you can actually see just how much more popular he is in the UK…
2. “No Regrets” (1998 – I’ve Been Expecting You)
This track caught my ear in particular because it features backing vocals from two of my favorite artists, Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys and Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy.
3. “Kids,” with Kylie Minogue (2000 – Sing When You’re Winning)
I mean, as far as the video goes, you had me with that first closeup shot of Kylie’s lips. But the song’s pretty great, too. I have a long history of loving Ms. Minogue, so it’s a damned near perfect team-up as far as I’m concerned..
4. “Singing for the Lonely” (2000 – Sing When You’re Winning)
This song was never released as a single, as far as I know, but I’ve always loved the chorus. This is a live version that Robbie performed at Abbey Road a few years later, and it’s an extremely nice take on an already fine number.
5. “I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen” (2001 – Swing When You’re Winning)
The only original number on a song that’s otherwise covers, if it was inspired by a legitimate hope that he might end up securing some acting gig, it’s a plea that went unanswered. The song’s pretty epic, though.
6. “Handsome Man” (2002 – Escapology)
7. “Man for All Seasons” (2003 – Johnny English soundtrack)
An unabashed Bond-theme ripoff, and I have zero complaints. It’s catchy as hell, and I’ve probably spun it more times than some of Williams’ albums!
8. “Your Gay Friend” (2005 – Intensive Care)
9. “Random Acts of Kindness” (2005 – Intensive Care)
10. “She’s Madonna,” with Pet Shop Boys (2006 – Rudebox)
This is kind of the least unsurprising collaboration ever, particularly when you consider that Robbie did a cover of “I Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing” as an early B-side and subsequently sang lead on the Pet Shop Boys’ live version of “Jealousy” for their Concrete album.
That’s it for Pt. 1.
If you’re looking for the playlist that includes all 10 videos, here it is!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFNc2JHGZc4_RW2QDS58dARk3T0kx15DZ