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.
Bongo Bong
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Papa was king of the Congo
Deep down in the jungle
I started bangin' my first bongo
Every monkey'd like to be
In my place instead of me
Cause I'm the king of bongo, baby
I went to the big town
Where there is a lot of sound
From the jungle to the city
Looking for a bigger crown
I play my boogie
For the people of big city
But they don't go crazy
When I'm bangin' in my boogie
I'm the "king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
Hear me when I come baby
King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come
Nobody'd like to be in my place instead of me
Cause nobody go crazy when I'm bangin' on my boogie
I'm a king without a crown hanging loose in a big town
I'm the king of bongo, baby
I'm the king of bongo bong
king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come baby
King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come
They say that I'm a clown
Making too much dirty sound
They say there is no place for little monkey in this town
Nobody'd like to be in my place instead of me
Cause nobody go crazy when I'm bangin' on my boogie
I'm the king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come baby
King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come
Bangin' on my bongo all that swing belongs to me
I'm so happy there's nobody in my place instead of me
I'm a king without a crown hanging loose in a big town
But I'm the king of bongo baby I'm the king of bongo bong
King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come, baby, king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong...
Mama was queen of the mambo
Papa was king of the Congo
Deep down in the jungle
I started bangin' my first bongo
Every monkey'd like to be
In my place instead of me
Cause I'm the king of bongo, baby
I'm the king of bongo bong
king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come baby
King of the bongo, king of the bongo bong
Hear me when I come
Je ne t'aime plus mon amour
Je ne t'aime plus tout le jour
Je ne t'aime plus mon amour
Je ne t'aime plus tout le jour
Je ne t'aime plus mon amour
Je ne t'aime plus tout le jour
Je ne t'aime plus mon amour
Je ne t'aime plus tout le jour
The lyrics of "Bongo Bong" by Robbie Williams featuring Lily Allen tell the story of a young man who leaves his humble beginnings in the jungle and travels to the big city, hoping to become a famous musician. The boy's parents were once the rulers of the mambo and the congo, respectively, and instilled in him a love for music. He starts to play the bongo drum in the jungle, and all the monkeys envy him because he's so good. He then goes to the big city, where he plays for the people hoping to be recognized but is instead seen as a clown, making too much noise. Despite being an outcast, he proudly claims the title of king of the bongo, which he believes he deserves because of his talent.
The song's lyrics could be interpreted as a coming-of-age story or a metaphor for the struggle of anyone trying to follow their dreams in a city that doesn't appreciate their talents. The boy in the song is confident in his abilities but is met with rejection and criticism. However, he stands firm in his belief that he's the best, despite what others say. The lyrics are catchy, and the up-tempo beat of the song contrasts with the melancholic melody to create a unique sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama was queen of the mambo
My mother was the best dancer in our village’s music style
Papa was king of the Congo
My father was a respected ruler of the region where we lived
Deep down in the jungle
In the densest parts of the forest where few ventured, I began to play my music.
I started bangin' my first bongo
I played my very first drum for the first time.
Every monkey'd like to be
All the animals around wish they were me.
In my place instead of me
Wishing they had my throne and reputation.
Cause I'm the king of bongo, baby
I am the undisputed ruler and chief of my musical style.
I'm the king of bongo bong
I'm head honcho of my music scene.
I went to the big town
I left my hometown for the larger neighboring city.
Where there is a lot of sound
Where there is so much music that I was excited to be there.
From the jungle to the city
I made the daring move from a small forest town to a big city.
Looking for a bigger crown
I craved more power and influence over music and my peers.
I play my boogie
I perform and play drum music
For the people of big city
For larger crowds of folks with more critical ears
But they don't go crazy
But the audiences in the big city don't seem to enjoy my music as much as my hometown.
When I'm bangin' in my boogie
When I'm performing and playing the drums.
I'm the "king of the bongo, king of the bongo bong"
I'm still the most dominant force in the music scene.
Hear me when I come baby
Pay attention to me when I perform!
Nobody'd like to be in my place instead of me
People can see the challenges that come with my rise to fame, no one truly wants to take my throne.
Cause nobody go crazy when I'm bangin' on my boogie
People in the big city don't seem to enjoy my music.
I'm a king without a crown hanging loose in a big town
I'm the most important figure in my art form, but I'm not acknowledged as such in the new city.
They say that I'm a clown
The people of the city ridicule me.
Making too much dirty sound
Hating on my music.
They say there is no place for little monkey in this town
The people of the city don’t believe a talent like mine can thrive in their scene.
Bangin' on my bongo all that swing belongs to me
All the joy brought to people by my music is my domain.
I'm so happy there's nobody in my place instead of me
I am pleased with the unique music and style I bring in.
I'm a king without a crown hanging loose in a big town
Despite not receiving enough recognition, I’m still the king in my own world.
But I'm the king of bongo baby I'm the king of bongo bong
I satop supreme in the music scene.
Je ne t'aime plus mon amour
I don’t love you anymore my love.
Je ne t'aime plus tout le jour
I don’t love you anymore every day.
Je ne t'aime plus mon amour
I don’t love you anymore my love.
Je ne t'aime plus tout le jour
I don’t love you anymore every day.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jose-Manuel Chao
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!