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.
Darkest Night
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'95 or '96? I really can't remember which
Pack of fags, no bags, man, I like to travel lightly
Who knows what tonight's tomorrow will bring?
Will I fall into a quiet room sayin', "Hold me now?"
And even on the darkest night of the coldest year
Hold my hand 'til the last day of the year
It's not Christmas night every night, so come on, bring your sex alive
Made a veil, made a sin, I want my sex and drugs again
I call you up to get a fix at North West 6
Mini cab, two patsies, I'm dodging paparazzi
I bet they wish they could see me now
As we fall into a quiet room sayin', "Hold me now?"
And even on the darkest night of the coldest year
It's not Christmas night every night, so come on, bring your sex alive
Hold my hand 'til the last day of the year
It's not Christmas night every night, so come on, bring your sex alive
And even on the darkest night
Now look at us, we're all grown up
No one to tell us when to stop
And you know we couldn't anyway
Yes, we'll have our way on Christmas day
And even on the darkest night of the coldest year
It's not Christmas night every night, so come on, bring your sex alive
Hold my hand 'til the last day of the year
It's not Christmas night every night, so come on, bring your sex alive
And even on the darkest night
(Ooh, ooh)
Walk me out of here (ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh)
I'll walk you out of here (ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh)
I'll walk you out of here (ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh)
The lyrics to Robbie Williams's song "Darkest Night" paint a picture of a December night in London, where the singer is reflecting on their life. They mention being recently made redundant and struggling to remember whether it was in 1995 or 1996. Despite feeling uncertain about the future, they prefer to travel lightly, with only a pack of cigarettes and no bags. The lyrics capture a sense of anticipation and curiosity about what tomorrow will bring.
The chorus emphasizes that even in the darkest nights of the coldest years, life is not always like Christmas night. It's a plea to embrace the passion and vitality of the present moment, to bring their desires to life and not wait for a special occasion. The lyrics suggest that the singer seeks connection and intimacy, asking someone to hold them now, to experience the warmth and closeness that Christmas night represents.
In the second verse, the singer references their past, mentioning their inclination towards indulgence in sex and drugs. They reach out to someone, possibly a drug dealer, to satisfy their cravings in North West 6. The mention of dodging paparazzi hints at a celebrity lifestyle, where attention and scrutiny are constant companions. However, the singer suggests that those who seek to capture their image would be amazed at their current circumstances.
The final verse seems to reflect on adulthood and the freedom it brings. The singer expresses a sense of autonomy, stating that no one can tell them when to stop. They imply that they will have their own way on Christmas day, indicating a celebration of self-expression and personal choices.
Overall, "Darkest Night" explores themes of uncertainty, desire, and the pursuit of pleasure amidst a backdrop of cold nights and the anticipation of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
December in London, think I just been made redundant
In the cold winter month of December, I find myself in London and suspect that I have recently lost my job
'95 or '96? I really can't remember which
The specific year, either 1995 or 1996, is unclear to me as my memory fails me
Pack of fags, no bags, man, I like to travel lightly
I prefer to travel without much luggage, just carrying a pack of cigarettes
Who knows what tonight's tomorrow will bring?
Nobody can predict what the future holds for us, even in the span of one night
Will I fall into a quiet room sayin', "Hold me now?"
Will I find myself seeking comfort and intimacy in a moment of solitude, yearning for someone to hold me tightly?
And even on the darkest night of the coldest year
Even in the most difficult and challenging times, when everything seems bleak and unbearable
It's not Christmas night every night, so come on, bring your sex alive
We cannot expect every night to be as joyful and festive as Christmas, so let us embrace our passionate desires and make the most of each moment
Hold my hand 'til the last day of the year
Stay by my side, providing comfort and support, until the final day of this year
Made a veil, made a sin, I want my sex and drugs again
I have created a false image and engaged in sinful behavior, but now I yearn to indulge in the pleasures of sex and drugs once more
I call you up to get a fix at North West 6
I contact you to satisfy my craving and seek solace in North West 6, potentially a location associated with indulgence
Mini cab, two patsies, I'm dodging paparazzi
I discreetly travel in a private taxi with two accomplices, avoiding the attention and intrusion of photographers
I bet they wish they could see me now
I imagine that those who try to capture my every move would be envious if they were able to witness my current state
Now look at us, we're all grown up
Reflecting on our maturity and development as individuals, we have become responsible adults
No one to tell us when to stop
We no longer have someone dictating our limits or setting boundaries, allowing us the freedom to make our own decisions
And you know we couldn't anyway
Even if someone were to tell us to stop, we would likely disregard their instruction
Yes, we'll have our way on Christmas day
Certainly, on Christmas day, we will assert our desires and act according to our own wishes
(Ooh, ooh)
Walk me out of here (ooh, ooh)
(Expressing a desire for escape) Remove me from this situation, take me away from here
(Ooh, ooh)
I'll walk you out of here (ooh, ooh)
(Expressing a willingness to assist) I will accompany and guide you away from this place
(Ooh, ooh)
I'll walk you out of here (ooh, ooh)
(Reiterating the offer of support) I remain committed to leading you away from this location
(Ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh)
(Vocalization indicating emotional intensity)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Karl Peter Brazil, Owen Parker, Robert Peter Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrsRW
one of the best on the album ❤️
Sjhue
An impressive collection of new songs on this album blending in with the oldies. Works well
Connie Bradley
Loving this song and the gorgeous soul singing it! It won’t be the darkest night anymore... ❤️😘❤️😘❤️
dean green
Powerful and heartfelt song from the heart.
Paula Ramos
I REALLY love this song
Matthew Mihajic
You and me both beautiful!
leehom2300
Paula Ramos me too
RW-Fan201
That‘s really a very good song and I love it. 😍 I don’t know why but due to certain lines, I also think that this song is dedicated to Gary. In addition, there’s AT LEAST two songs to be found on every RW album that are directed at his bandmate. 🥰 This is the second one. 😉 The other one is New Year‘s Day.
Ellie
One of my favourite songs from his album, so powerful and passionate.
Maximilian Krötz
should be a single! works even without christmas