Williams has received a record 18 Brit Awards, winning Best British Male Artist four times, Outstanding Contribution to Music twice, an Icon Award for his lasting impact on British culture, eight German ECHO Awards, and three MTV European Music Awards. In 2004, he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame after being voted the Greatest Artist of the 1990s. According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), he has been certified for 20.2 million albums and 8.66 million singles in the UK as a solo artist. Five of his albums have also topped the Australian albums chart, and has sold 75 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He also topped the 2000–2010 UK airplay chart. His three concerts at Knebworth in 2003 drew over 375,000 people, the UK's biggest music event to that point. In 2014, he was awarded the freedom of his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent and had a tourist trail created and streets named in his honour. Williams' thirteenth album, XXV was released on 9 September 2022.
After 15 years, Williams rejoined Take That in 2010 to co-write and perform lead vocals on their album Progress, which became the second-fastest-selling album in UK chart history and the fastest-selling record of the century at the time. The subsequent stadium tour, which featured seven songs from Williams' solo career, became the biggest-selling concert in UK history when it sold 1.34 million tickets in less than 24 hours. In 2011, Take That frontman Gary Barlow confirmed that Williams had left the band for a second time to focus on his solo career, although he stated that the departure was amicable and that Williams was welcome to rejoin Take That in the future. Williams has since performed with Take That on three separate television appearances, and collaborated with Barlow on a number of projects such as the West End musical The Band.
Blasphemy
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Romans did what they did
Now everything's come down to this
It's just you and I, our kin!
We could send a million to the moon
But why can't I get on with you?
Cellophane around my mouth
Our deaf and dumb dinners
Gravy in the mud
No singles, just fillers
Sometimes I wish I could
But I can't behave
I know it's not the heathen in me
It's just that I've been bleeding lately,
Internally
Don't turn to me,
Bite your tongue, the torrid weapon
You could learn a useful lesson
What's so great about the Great Depression
Is it a blast for you?
Blasphemy
Words cut like a knife through Vaseline
You can't really mean what you mean
When you say what you say
So tourettes make them come out that way,
Wish I was here well I wish you weren't
Your gift of anger's better burnt
If nothing's said then nothing's learnt
I though I wasn't but I'm really hurting
Our deaf and dumb dinners,
There's gravy in the mud
And I can't behave
No, it's not the heathen in me
It's just that I've been bleeding lately,
Internally
Don't turn to me
Bite my tongue, the torrid weapon
We could learn a useful lesson
What's so great about the Great Depression
Was it a blast for you,
Blasphemy
A great adventure Christmas in the snow
Senile Dementia maybe, what a way to go
I can't behave
I know it's not the heathen in me
It's just that I've been bleeding lately,
Internally
So turn to me
Bite your tongue, your torrid weapon
We could learn a useful lesson
In a greatness great depression
It's not a blast for me,
It's blasphemy
The song 'Blasphemy' by Robbie Williams focuses on the complex nature of human relationships and how sometimes, they can be challenging to navigate. The opening lines of the song serve to highlight the vast achievements of ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans. However, the song then goes on to suggest that despite all the progress made over time, humans still struggle to connect with each other on a basic level.
Williams uses powerful imagery to describe a situation where he feels restrained and unable to voice his opinions. He mentions feeling like there is cellophane around his mouth which stops his anger from expressing itself. The lyrics also touch on the idea that sometimes silence can be interpreted as acceptance in relationships when, in reality, nothing has actually been learnt.
Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that sometimes relationships can feel damning rather than constructive, particularly when anger is the primary mode of communication. In the end, the song highlights that difficult relationships can sometimes lead to feelings of hurt and confusion, and this is what Williams seems to be grappling with.
Line by Line Meaning
The Egyptians built their pyramids
Many people before us have achieved incredible feats of human ingenuity and creativity
The Romans did what they did
Throughout history, humans have contributed in their own unique ways to the evolution of society
Now everything's come down to this
Despite our past accomplishments, we are left with only ourselves and our relationships
It's just you and I, our kin!
We are left to face the world together, our individual actions affecting not only ourselves but those closest to us
We could send a million to the moon
As humans, we have the power to accomplish great technological feats
But why can't I get on with you?
Yet, despite our advancements, basic human connection and communication still elude us
Cellophane around my mouth
The singer feels that their ability to speak their mind is limited or constrained
Stops the anger sipping out
The artist feels that they are either unable or unwilling to express their anger in a healthy way
Our deaf and dumb dinners
The artist is frustrated by the lack of communication during meals
Gravy in the mud
The artist feels that even basic human rituals are degraded and unsatisfying
No singles, just fillers
The singer feels that their life lacks meaningful experiences or connections
Sometimes I wish I could
The artist expresses a desire for change or escape from their current situation
But I can't behave
The singer feels that they are unable to conform to societal norms or expectations
I know it's not the heathen in me
The singer recognizes that their struggles are not due to some inherent evil or immorality within themselves
It's just that I've been bleeding lately, internally
The singer is dealing with personal emotional pain or turmoil
Don't turn to me, bite your tongue, the torrid weapon
The artist advises the listener to hold back from saying something hurtful or damaging
You could learn a useful lesson
The artist sees an opportunity for growth or personal development in the situation
What's so great about the Great Depression
The singer questions the romanticization of difficult historical events
Is it a blast for you?
The singer challenges anyone who might see the pain and suffering of others as enjoyable or entertaining
Blasphemy
The artist condemns the idea of finding joy or pleasure in the misery of others
Words cut like a knife through Vaseline
The artist feels that their attempts at communication are ineffective or misunderstood
You can't really mean what you mean
The artist questions the authenticity or sincerity of the listener's words
When you say what you say
The singer is skeptical of the listener's intent or purpose in speaking
So tourettes make them come out that way
The artist feels that their words are not under their control, or are involuntary
Wish I was here well I wish you weren't
The singer expresses a desire for either escape or separation from the situation or relationship
Your gift of anger's better burnt
The singer advises the listener to let go of their anger, as it can only cause harm
If nothing's said then nothing's learnt
The singer believes that communication and dialogue are necessary for growth and learning
I thought I wasn't but I'm really hurting
The artist discovers or admits to their own emotional pain or vulnerability
There's gravy in the mud
The artist describes their own disappointments and difficulties with the world
So turn to me, bite your tongue, your torrid weapon
The singer encourages the listener to redirect their anger or frustration in a constructive manner
In a greatness great depression
The singer sees an opportunity for personal growth and perspective during difficult times
It's not a blast for me, it's blasphemy
The artist reiterates their condemnation of anyone who takes pleasure in the suffering of others
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GUY CHAMBERS, ROBERT PETER WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Win Some Lose Some
Yet another fantastic Robbie Williams song. Absolutely fantastic.
Philip Kassabian
on Millennium
What a fantastic song by Robbie Williams.
Edy Souza
on Advertising Space
:)
Edy Souza
on Angels
Love! Love!