Robbie Williams: 10 Best Songs For Your iPod

Robbie Williams isn’t uber famous in the USA, but believe me when I tell you he is a mega, megastar in the rest of the world. I mean, can’t walk down the street without women begging to have his children, famous.

And I’m sure more than a few men would like to try, as well.

You might recall the awful boy band he was in back in the 90’s. It was called “Take That” and they were just total crap, really - very manufactured. They had a single that was constantly on the radio when I lived in Texas. It was called “Back for Good” and boy, was it cheesy. So you might be able to imagine my shock when I moved to Europe nearly a decade later and discovered that one of its members was one of the hottest, sexiest, studliest men on the entire planet. And he could actually sing - really, really well.

I’ve since realized why he was never able to break through to the American market: his MTV video for Rock DJ was just too much for us. Oh, it was cool. It was sleek and shiny and new and fabulous. He was hot. He was sexy. The video was film quality. Until he started peeling his skin off.

Since nearly a decade had passed since I’d seen that video – and subsequently forced it from my mind – I hadn’t originally realized that had been him. But once I did, I could instantly recall the horror I’d initially felt whilst watching it on television, and how creeped out I’d been at watching a man turn into a skeleton. It just looked real, y'all.

“Knowing” Robbie as I do now – I could handle that if it were released today. Cos I know his personality and I know the mischief he gets up to. And it would be ok. But back then, as a total newcomer to the American music scene, it was just ghastly. It was like, who’s this nutter tearing the skin from his body? I tried to find a good YouTube clip of that for you, but they were all a bit fuzzy, sorry. But back to the point of this article. Robbie Williams has recorded some fantastic songs and they need to be on your iPod, if not in your stereo. As with any musician, he’s recorded things that don’t take my fancy. Fortunately, you can pick and choose these days – God bless iTunes! The following list is sure to please.

• Never Touch That Switch

This is one of his newest, from the album Rudebox. I have listened to this song probably 1,000 times today alone. I can’t really explain why, other than it makes me hot. Like, really hot. And yeah, that means what you think it means.

• She’s The One

From the album The Ego Has Landed. I’m not usually into “sweet and romantic” but this one has a special place on my iPod. Probably because it’s so out of character for his normal style. It comes across as heartfelt and not cheesy, which is really something in the world of pop music.

• Feel

This is was the video that hooked me and the video you see up there. Gorgeous footage, classic black and white, and featuring a lovely Darryl Hannah as the love interest. Sweet and sexy at the same time. From the album Escapology.

• Come Undone

I contemplated using this video for this article but then thought against it. It’s really, really racy. I mean, there are scenes that smack of porn. But it looks real… and I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised if it were. I’m so jealous! If you would like to see it, you can find it on YouTube. The song itself is also from the Escapology album. The lyrics are fantastic.

• Good Doctor

From the album Rudebox. If this song doesn’t make you want to dance, you have a problem. The lyrics are hysterically funny, especially considering William’s known history of addiction and recovery. It’s very tongue in cheek – and very well sung.

• Rock DJ

This is the one I mentioned earlier. The one in which he strips out his dermis. From the album Sing When You’re Winning. Again, you find the video on YouTube, but the quality won’t be so hot. This song MOVES, though. It’s got such a fantastic beat. I crank this up after one of my own gigs and I feel totally re-energized. Which is saying a lot, considering how exhausted I usually am. Great music.

• Sexed Up

This is the quintessential break up song, from the album Escapology. The video is excellent. If you can find it, watch it. The lyrics are so moving, so true. If you have ever been in a relationship you knew was over – but just wasn’t ending, for some reason - this is the song for you.

• Love Supreme

Another song with a fantastic beat, from the album Sing When You’re Winning. The chorus is a clever little hook and you can’t help singing along with it. The string section plays a Rocky-esque melody and actually manages to avoid sounding corny. It’s great. Listen to this song, you’ll love it. The video itself is also very clever.

• Millenium

This is just one of those songs that I like but can’t really tell you the exact reason why. It just makes me feel good – and what more can you expect from a pop song? This one is from the album I’ve Been Expecting You.

• Burslem Normals

There is just something about this song that makes me want to play it repeatedly. It’s slightly sad and depressing, yet I can’t get enough of it. I just feel something when I listen to it. It’s more than a pop song, somehow. It’s from the latest album, Rudebox. I can’t wait to see the video for this. There has been a film short commissioned to promote it, so try to see that, if you can.