Robbie Williams believes that if social media had existed during the 1990s, it would have likely overwhelmed him. He reflects on how British people have a knack for undermining their own achievements, stating, "I think as British people we're very good at piercing the balloon of our own success and undercutting it and devaluing ourselves. It's what we do best. In many ways, it's why we're great." However, he emphasizes a desire to fully embrace his success this time around, wanting to stand in the spotlight and say, 'Okay, success, show me what you’ve got.'
As he embarks on his Long 90s tour, set to take place in more intimate venues reminiscent of his early solo career, he acknowledges the importance of this moment in his life. At 51 years old, Williams expresses nostalgia for the Britpop album he envisioned creating after his departure from Take That. This album features collaborations with notable musicians like his former bandmate Gary Barlow, Gaz Coombes from Supergrass, and Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist of Black Sabbath.
Despite the professional triumphs he experienced during the Britpop era, Williams candidly admits to battling significant personal demons, describing a time when he was unable to enjoy the successes around him due to depression. He shares, "I was going through my own mental illness, and anything good that's happening to somebody who is in the throes of depression... they can't experience joy from it. There were lots of incredible things happening, and I couldn't feel joy about any of it."
Looking back, he reflects on the 1990s as a remarkable decade for popular culture, asserting that it was perhaps the last great era, noting, "You don’t know 2007 from 2023, but you know the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. So I look back and with a wry smile, I say that the '90s was an amazing time to have a bad time."
Williams has also been open about experiencing stage fright earlier in his career. However, a turning point came when he welcomed his first child, daughter Theodora, known affectionately as Teddy, in 2012. He reflects, "The world started to make sense because I had been running away from responsibility, and I should have been running towards it. When things stopped being about me and started to become about precious souls, I realized I've got the best job in the world."
Feeling a renewed sense of happiness since returning to the UK, Williams recalls a tumultuous relationship with the British press during the early days of his solo journey. He explains, "Everybody knows, because we've seen it countless times, that if you are on the crest of a wave, the media comes to bring you down and attack you at every opportunity. That weighs heavily and brings its own set of challenges. But that was then; I'm in a different place now. Now, I can just focus on putting out my music and enjoying my marriage. There aren’t any paparazzi camped outside my door trying to capture my every move or hack my phone. This is what I imagined my life would be like when I began this journey at 16, and I'm truly enjoying it."
Back in the 90s, one thing he didn’t face was the pressures of social media, which he believes would have been detrimental to his mental health. "I tend to get too invested in seeking out negative aspects; I think we all do, to some extent. I wonder if there's something inherent in us that drives us to find problems and threats, so we can counter them."
A lingering question remains: Will Robbie ever reunite with Take That, the band that launched his illustrious career? He has shared feelings of nostalgia about playing together again and expressed his enjoyment of their recent documentary, mentioning that he felt a strong sense of love for his bandmates.
As February 13 approaches, marking the 30th anniversary since Take That initially split—coincidentally on his birthday—Williams whimsically recalls that day in 1996, stating, "I was buying a Scalextric from Harrods," which is quite a far cry from the rock 'n' roll lifestyle one might expect.
Having shattered records previously held by The Beatles and accumulated more Brit Awards than anyone else, I asked Williams about his future aspirations. He replied, "I want to build hotels with my own venues and perform there. I envision creating a university of entertainment, with a curriculum I’ve already imagined. It would be a wonderful way to revolutionize education, especially for someone who left school with nothing higher than a D."
Who wouldn’t want to enroll in Robbie Williams' university of entertainment? Keep an eye out as his new album, "Britpop," is now available, and the Long 90s tour is off to an exciting start!
