Robbie Williams Deep Dive
Started a bit of a Robbie Williams deep dive in March and want to share some highlights, a first two made my jaw drop.
A Hotel
I found out that in November 2023, Robbie Williams mentioned on Rob Brydon’s podcast that he’s working on building a hotel…in Dubai!
via Arabian Gulf Business Insight
The 49-year-old former member of Take That, who performed in Abu Dhabi last month, told Wondery’s Brydon & podcast that he is building a 700-room hotel in Dubai.
He explained to host Rob Brydon that the development was spurred by an experience at a Wynn hotel in Las Vegas where has was charged $240 for breakfast.
“I got really angry and then I was just like, I’ll build my own hotel,” he said.
He added that the resort in the emirate would include a purpose-built venue for him.
“I then thought Dubai and then I thought, actually, there’s no residences for artists like me in Dubai,” Williams said. “And then I thought, ah, that’s interesting, I’m going to do that. I’m going to start that.”
If this hotel ever gets built, it better have a cinema that plays Better Man regularly, just like Burg Kino in Vienna have been screening The Third Man multiple times a week since 1980 - or at least annually, and for me to introduce it.
A Few Drawings
On March 21, Robbie Williams posted on his Instagram account drawings featuring toilets he’s been in around the world. One of them was on an Emirates flight, and two from The Four Seasons Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah. Now, all I am hoping for is that Robbie Williams and I cross paths next time he’s in the UAE.
The post was about the state of his mental health which he frequently shares, and they generally sound sincere and not written by someone handling his PR. I’m sure his words help his fans and readers who also suffer from mental health.
He ends the post with:
”The strange thing is, I don’t think this depression is mine. I don’t think it’s circumstantial and I don’t think it’s genetics. I think there’s something in my system that is working against me. I would love to know what that is. I am depressed but I am not depression.
It is my sincerest wish for you all to be experiencing joy and safety for your mind, body and soul.”
A Better Man T-shirt
I was hunting high and low for this t-shirt after I first saw it on Taylor Tomlinson when she explained why she needs everyone to see Better Man. I found it, ordered it and now I own it! Never been this happy with a purchase.
A Podcast
Robbie Williams Rewind is a podcast by superfans Lucy and Matt, aka “The Champions”. The podcast started in 2021 where they dedicate each episode to an album or a selection of his singles with other fans joining as guests. They’ve also interviewed some of his collaborators, I particularly enjoyed listening to the interview with Guy Chambers, and in 2023 they interviewed the man himself. They also recorded several episodes about Better Man.
I’ve not listened to every single episode yet, but I’ve listened enough to know the lifelong fandom shown by Lucy and Matt is thoughtful and respectful.
A Dance Music Project
Thanks to Robbie Williams Rewind, I found out he has a dance music project called Lufthaus that started in 2022. Another discovery that made my jaw drop. Where have I been?
A Few Documentaries / Interviews
I watched a few old and new documentaries about Robbie Williams, or featuring him that I wasn’t aware of before:
Boybands Forever (Martin Fuller, 2024). a 3-part BBC documentary about boybands of the 1990s, “Behind the singing, smiles and double denim was blood, sweat and tears. Heartthrobs from Take That to Westlife and 911 share tales of success, adoration and the flipside of fame.” I found all 3 episodes on Dailymotion.
Robbie Williams (Joe Pearlman, 2023) - A four part Netflix documentary that isn’t very good because it’s the typical dull looking production Netflix makes. But it was amusing and at times moving to watch Williams in his bed, looking at archival footage of himself and reflecting on what he’s seeing. The man has gone through a lot!
Robbie Williams: Nobody Someday (Biran Hill, 2002) about the 2001 World Tour.
Robbie Williams: We Are Not Alone (Charlie Lightening)
A short documentary featuring behind scenes footage of the Close Encounters Tour (2006).
Robbie Williams: It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (Lee Lodge, 1999)
A BBC documentary about his debut tour in America and trying to break into that market, which sadly wasn’t as successful as he wanted.
Towards the end he says, ”Well…I’ve been home like a week and a bit now and I'm alright. I've got the big telly, got a Playstation, got lots of music, and I've got a nice selection of friends that I'm building relationships with and that's very important to me.”
Robbie Williams: Some Mothers Do ‘Av ‘Em (Lee Lodge, 1998)
A BBC documentary about the recording of his second album I Have Been Expecting You. It ends with him saying “I could understand how people could hate me…I could see where they're coming from as well, but this is what I do, and they're going to have to deal with it cuz I'm going to be here for 25 years.”
Robbie Williams: The Zane Lowe Interview (2022)
Not a documentary per se, but I enjoyed watching this, he seemed relaxed and at ease with himself.
A Couple of Singles
I’ve been listening to the the hit singles from two of his greatest hits albums:
- In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010 (2010)
- XXV (2022)
I first heard My Heart and I, an un-released single co-written with Gary Barlow, when I was driving and suddenly everything started to look blurry because my eyes filled up with tears!
And I don't feel myself again
I thought I'd be fixed by now
Walking through the horizon, I found myself back here somehow
Give me something to die for
Or design a quiet mind
Something to like mankind for
Cause we don't lie, my heart and I.
My heart and I
My heart and I
I've been feeling so lonely
Feeling so low
So low I almost let go.
XXV was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Robbie Williams’ solo career and features re-recorded and re-arranged orchestratal versions of his hit singles. Again, whilst driving, No Regrets came on, and the 50th second blew me away. Also made me tear up. I don’t know who I am anymore.