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.
Gay friend
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey hey here comes no one
Another friend to have a go on
And she asks me do I miss her when she's gone?
And I reply "As much as I miss anyone"
Oh
A woo hoo
'Cause your marriage never ends
Till we fuck and fight again
There's a space between us
So jump into my bed
Pretend the world is dead
Always in my head
Is a face between us
Hey Lord forgive us if we're wrong
And make sure that he never hears this song
And she says that I'm the opposite
Of a Hallmark card
She asks me how I'm feeling well
I don't want to think that hard
Oh
A woo hoo
And I'll be your gay friend
'Cause your marriage never ends
Till we fuck and fight again
There's a space between us
Jump into my bed
Pretend the world is dead
And always in my head
Is a face between us
It's the late show now
How does the late show end?
Well if god is in the details thank god that
You're my friend
I have a friend again
You are my friend again
My gay friend
Oh
A woo hoo
Jump into my bed
Pretend the world is dead
And always in my head
Is a face between us
And I'll be your gay friend
'Cause your marriage never ends
Till we fuck and fight again
There's a space between us
Oh
A woo hoo
In the song "Gay Friend," Robbie Williams sings about a woman who asks him if he misses her when she's gone, to which he responds that he misses her as much as anyone. He offers to be her gay friend, as he realizes that her marriage will never end, and they will continue to have ups and downs in their relationship. There is a space between them, but he asks her to jump into his bed and pretend that the world is dead. He acknowledges that they may be wrong but asks for forgiveness, hoping that nobody else hears their conversation.
The lyrics of "Gay Friend" might be interpreted to suggest a complicated relationship between the two friends, with Williams offering his support and companionship but also hinting at something more. The song's title and lyrics might suggest that Williams is offering to be the woman's gay friend in the sense of being a platonic companion who happens to be gay, or it might suggest a more sexual relationship.
Interestingly, the song was not released as a single, but it has become a fan favorite and is often performed live by Williams. It's also notable for its catchy tune and upbeat tempo, which might be seen as somewhat at odds with the song's more melancholy and introspective lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
A woo hoo
Expressing excitement or joy.
Hey hey here comes no one
No one of consequence is arriving.
Another friend to have a go on
Another friend to have a physical or romantic relationship with.
And she asks me do I miss her when she's gone?
She asks if I miss her when she's not around.
And I reply 'As much as I miss anyone'
I reply with a generic response indicating that I miss her about the same amount as anyone else.
And I'll be your gay friend
I will be your friend who is attracted to the same sex as you.
'Cause your marriage never ends
Because your marriage will never be able to provide you with certain kinds of companionship.
Till we fuck and fight again
Until we have sex and argue like we have in the past.
There's a space between us
There is some distance or separation between us.
So jump into my bed
Come into my bed with me.
Pretend the world is dead
Act as though the world doesn't matter.
Always in my head
I am always thinking about.
Is a face between us
A person who is causing some of the distance or tension between us.
Hey Lord forgive us if we're wrong
Asking for forgiveness if we are doing something immoral or unethical.
And make sure that he never hears this song
Asking for divine intervention to keep their spouse from discovering their affair.
And she says that I'm the opposite
She says that I am very different.
Of a Hallmark card
Unlike something that is expected to be sweet or romantic.
She asks me how I'm feeling well
She asks how I am doing.
I don't want to think that hard
I don't want to think about my feelings or relationship too deeply.
It's the late show now
The night is late, implying that they might have been intimate already.
How does the late show end?
They are wondering how their evening together will conclude.
Well if god is in the details thank god that
If the outcome depends on minor factors, they thank god for their friend serving that role.
You're my friend
I value the relationship we have with each other.
I have a friend again
I am grateful for having this companion back in my life.
My gay friend
My friend who is attracted to the same sex as me.
Jump into my bed
Come into my bed with me.
And always in my head
I am constantly thinking about.
Is a face between us
A person who is causing some of the distance or tension between us.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN DUFFY, ROBERT 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!