For years I hated Robbie Williams. All through Take That (from '93), though his first four solo albums (though I admit that I liked "Angels" when that came...). I absolutely hated (with passion) his version of George Michael's "Freedom". What I hated even more was his "I'm Robbie-fucking-Williams, ok!" attitude.
In other words, Robbie being an arrogant snot never appealed to me. His versions of old Rat Pack songs totally disgusted me. Did he think he could sing "Mr Bojangles", for heaven's sake!? Then I saw "Nobody Someday" and finally I *got it*. I realised it was all an act. Then I saw the live performance from Royal Albert Hall. I was semi-impressed/bored until I heard him sing "My Way" at the end and broke down in tears towards the end. He cried, I cried - we had a moment.
So, after that I was a little more open. When his latest album, "Escapology", came, I was hooked. When I first heard "Feel" I thought "Yes!" A number of songs on the album are really self-ironic, yet honest. I'd say "Monsoon" is the best proof. And "Handsome Man".
Robbie doesn't have the greatest voice out there, but I believe he's one of the world's leading entertainers. At least in Europe. In American he doesn't make it because people think he's actor Robin Williams - and who's interested in hearing Robin Williams sing, really?
"When I meet girls in LA, they have to check on Google if I really am famous! Imagine that technology gets me chick! Hooray for that!"
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