The 11 best Robbie Williams songs

Robbie’s back, and will be taking over arenas and stadiums in 2025 – so here are his greatest ever tracks, ranked

Stoke-on-Trent’s first son Robbie Williams is an interesting one.

Once 1/5 of hugely successful 90s boyband Take That, Williams famously went solo in 1996 and carved an astonishing career for himself working alongside songwriter, musician and record producer Guy Chambers to write some of the most iconic pop singles of the decade. As of today, he has sold 75 million records worldwide (making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time) and has won a record-breaking 13 Brit Awards, winning Best British Male Artist four times.

However, despite these staggeringly impressive numbers, it’s Robbie Williams the person that still captures the nation’s hearts. Disarmingly honest about his struggles with addiction and depression, Williams has been the poster child for what happens when the music industry decides to make or break you, and what happens when you find the courage to take this pain and turn it into beautiful pop songs. He’ll forever be the UK’s everyman, and that’s why he’s adored, admired and revered by pop artists the world over.

Ahead of his forthcoming 2025 arena and stadium tour, here are 11 of his very best songs.

11. ‘Rock DJ’

(Sing When You’re Winning, 2000)

Featuring a sample from Barry White’s 1977 hit ‘It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me’, ‘Rock DJ’, the lead single from Robbie Williams’ third studio album was an instant hit. Not only did it become the UK’s fourth best-selling single that year, but the accompanying music video – in which our Rob literally strips down to his skeleton to impress a nonchalant lady DJ – was deemed too gory for some mainstream European music channels. The Dominican Republic banned the video completely because they figured it to be associated with Satanism. Pretty wild for an ex Take That person.

10. ‘Lovelight’

(Rudebox, 2006)

Proof yet again that everything Mark Ronson touches turns to musical gold, ‘Lovelight’ was the second single to be released from Williams’ seventh album, Rudebox. Packed full of synthy electronica, this Ronson-produced track signalled a change from his usual anthemic pop chicanery.

9. ‘Advertising Space’

(Intensive Care, 2005)

Written as an ode to the movie True Romance where the lovelorn hero Clarence (played by Christian Slater) often parlays with the spirit of Elvis Presley, ‘Advertising Space’ is an example of just how good a songwriter Williams is. Tender whilst probing old wounds, the song deals with how a fallen pop star becomes reduced to nothing more than gimmicks and merchandise. It’s an incredibly smart and moving track, and one that deserves more celebration.

8. ‘Millennium’

(I’ve Been Expecting You, 1998)

Ah… the millennium. Along with the fear of Y2K and/or a zombie apocalypse, the turn of the century meant many DJs were left with a dilemma: do they play Prince’s ‘1999’, OR, Robbie Williams’ incredibly popular hit ‘Millennium’ once the clock struck midnight? For this writer, dolled up in her village’s local working men’s club drinking Malibu and Coke, significantly, it was the latter. With its lush string arrangement – borrowed heavily from John Barry’s 60s Bond score for You Only Live Twice – the song soundtracked that one-in-a-lifetime evening for many people across the UK. Probably why we still regard it with such fondness, despite the radio absolutely rinsing it.

7. ‘She’s The One’

(I’ve Been Expecting You, 1998)

There’s no doubt about it, Robbie Williams can deliver a very fine love song (as the rest of this list will ultimately demonstrate) – however, ‘She’s The One’ is actually a cover. The song was originally written and produced by Karl Wallinger for band World Party’s album, Egyptology, in 1997. Robbie Williams’ recording did significantly better than the original, much to the chagrin of Wallinger, who was reportedly furious when Williams kept failing to acknowledge that he hadn’t penned the hit himself. Not only did ‘She’s The One’ become Robbie Williams’ second No.1 UK single, it also earnt multiple awards, including a Brit Award for British Single of the Year.

6. ‘Angels’

(Life Thru A Lens, 1997)

Yep, here it is. The hit that backdropped a million first dances and shit karaoke performances throughout the late 90s and early 00s. ‘Angels’ is probably Robbie Williams’ most decorated and recognisable track – but is it his best? This writer doesn’t think so, but begs you to hear her out. Yes, it has the chorus that we loved belting out at 02:00 outside the chippy, and yes, the track is still full of sweeping chord changes (which showcases Rob’s voice in a way no Take That number ever could), but something about it still feels slightly inflated – it’s Robbie Williams’ nuance that elevates him above going the other boy band-gone-solo artists out there, and ‘Angels’ (while being a stone cold titan of a song) doesn’t do him justice. So sue me.

5. ‘Feel’

(Escapology, 2002)

Now we’re talking. ‘Feel’ was one of those radio-friendly hits that’s the literal definition of a slow burn. When most of us first heard it, it was undeniably a Robbie Williams track, but as time went on, it took on new meaning. ‘Feel’ is just as anthemic as ‘Angels’ yet there’s a rawness at play, a vulnerability that outshines the grandiose declarations of its romantic predecessor. Add in some awe-inspiring orchestration and confessional lyrics, and you’ve got the makings of a truly superb pop song.

4. ‘No Regrets’

(I’ve Been Expecting You, 1998)

There was undeniably a lot of pain for Robbie as he navigated his career post-Take That. A lot has been said about the hoops the lads had to jump through in order to maintain their position within the band, and the toll the intense fame and pressure took on their mental health. While ‘No Regrets’ is most definitely a ballad, there’s something haunting and sorrowful about its delivery. Plus, the backing vocals from Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) and Neil Hannon (the Divine Comedy) add an almost gothic element.

3. ‘Kids’

(Sing When You’re Winning, 2000)

It was the pop combo no one knew they needed until it happened – yes, ‘Kids’ the absolute barnstormer of a track featuring pop princess Kylie Minogue arrived, and Robbie Williams naysayers were forced to eat their words. With its massive chorus (this writer has written previously of feeling the need to ascend any type of staircase once she hears “Juuuuuuump on boooooaaard…”) and catchy lyrics, ‘Kids’ still sounds as fresh and fun as it did 20 years ago. A little slice of perfect pop genius. Bravo.

2. ‘Come Undone’

(Escapology, 2002)

Personal trauma is most definitely something Williams wears on his sleeve, and ‘Come Undone’ is another example of how he can turn these struggles into an exceptional piece of songwriting. Yes, it’s another ballad, but this time Robbie is turning the relationship inward, laying out his demons and shortcomings for all to see – and letting us know that we might not like the fame-forward Robbie Williams that sits just beneath the surface.

1. ‘Let Me Entertain You’

(Life Thru A Lens, 1997)

Whoop, yes it’s glam-rock romp ‘Let Me Entertain You’ that has taken top spot because it’s just SUCH good fun. With an accompanying music video that captured Williams thrashing about in KISS-style makeup and latex, ‘Let Me Entertain You’ feels like a complex parody of Robbie’s relationship with the music industry, while the campy overtones play into the frontman’s ‘f*ck you’ attitude. It’s normally the song that opens his live sets, and it’s not hard to see why. It will 100% bring the house down in 2025.