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.
Home Thoughts from Abroad
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the longer the wait, the sweeter the kiss
All I really know is we're stronger together
If that isn't love, then I don't know what is
Know you can't say how you're really feeling
What goes unsaid is what I'm feeling too
So here we are living, letter to letter
There's nothing I love more
Than home thoughts from aboard
At ten o'clock tonight I'll be looking at the moon
That's 1:30 for you
Will you be up then too?
I know it's shining on me and it shines on you
And these simple things
Help me get through
I stand in the storm, just me and my sail
And hope that it blows me closer to you
Secrets keep you sick
They stop you from sleeping
I want you to know, I keep no secrets from you
So here we are living life through a letter
I know there's nothing you love more
Than home thoughts from abroad
At ten o'clock tonight I'll be looking at the moon
That's 1:30 for you
Will you be up then too?
I know if it's shining on me then it shines on you
These simple things
Help me get through
"Home Thoughts from Abroad" is a poignant song by Robbie Williams that explores the theme of longing and the power of love to bridge distance. The lyrics suggest a separation between two people who are physically apart but emotionally connected. The opening lines, "Time drags its feet, it feels like forever/But the longer the wait, the sweeter the kiss," express the sense of anticipation and the belief that the reunion will be worth the wait.
The song emphasizes the strength and unity that comes from being together, with the lyrics stating, "All I really know is we're stronger together/If that isn't love, then I don't know what is." This highlights the deep connection between the two individuals and the belief that their love can conquer any obstacles or challenges they face.
The lyrics also touch upon the difficulty of expressing emotions, with lines like "Know you can't say how you're really feeling/What goes unsaid is what I'm feeling too." This suggests that despite the barriers to communication, the emotions between the two are still heartfelt and understood.
The chorus, "There's nothing I love more/Than home thoughts from aboard," emphasizes the significance and comfort the idea of home and belonging brings to the singer. It suggests that even in the absence of being physically together, the thoughts and memories of home provide solace and strength.
Overall, "Home Thoughts from Abroad" captures the longing, hope, and resilience of love in the face of distance, while also acknowledging the challenges and importance of communication in maintaining connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Time drags its feet, it feels like forever
The passage of time feels slow and endless
But the longer the wait, the sweeter the kiss
The longer we wait to be together, the more special our reunion will be
All I really know is we're stronger together
I am certain that we are more powerful when we are united
If that isn't love, then I don't know what is
The intensity of our connection is a true example of love
Know you can't say how you're really feeling
I understand that you are unable to express your true emotions
What goes unsaid is what I'm feeling too
I experience the same unspoken emotions as you
So here we are living, letter to letter
We are living our lives and communicating through written correspondence
There's nothing I love more than home thoughts from aboard
Receiving thoughts and messages from you while being away is what I cherish the most
At ten o'clock tonight I'll be looking at the moon
At a specific time tonight, I'll gaze at the moon
That's 1:30 for you
Considering the time difference, it will be 1:30 in your location
Will you be up then too?
Will you also be awake at that time?
I know it's shining on me and it shines on you
I am aware that the moon's light is illuminating both of us
And these simple things help me get through
These small moments and thoughts provide me with strength and support
I stand in the storm, just me and my sail
I face difficulties alone, accompanied only by my determination
And hope that it blows me closer to you
I have faith that these challenges will eventually bring us closer together
Secrets keep you sick
Keeping secrets can have a negative impact on your well-being
They stop you from sleeping
Secrets can prevent you from finding peace and rest
I want you to know, I keep no secrets from you
It is important for you to understand that I am completely transparent and honest with you
So here we are living life through a letter
Our lives continue, albeit shared through written correspondence
I know there's nothing you love more than home thoughts from abroad
I am aware that receiving my thoughts and messages from afar is what brings you the most joy
These simple things help me get through
These small gestures and thoughts provide me with the strength to persevere
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Guy Chambers, Robert Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Price
I knew I’d heard this somewhere and checked to see it’s from the military wives! Great version and a brilliant album.
GosiaP 12.2019
I didn't know the song and its history. Thank you for putting it on the CD because it very much deserves it.
MehrshadNP
What is the story behind it?
GosiaP 12.2019
@MehrshadNP This song was written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers in 2020 for the film Military Wives. It is also the name of the choir that was actually formed in 2010.
MehrshadNP
@GosiaP 12.2019 Wow, I didn't know that! That was intresting. Thanks!
Rima Nargish
Woah! RW's amazing voice and the music perfection??!... Spectacular. 🎧✨🎤🎶🎵🎸💘💞💞💞👌👏👏👏👍👍👍
Christina Qvistorff
This... ❤😰❤ The Military Wives Choir version is very emotional. Still, no one can sing such tune better than you... xxx
Carol Vermast
Chilling 💜
Mummy Solfrid
Wow❤❤❤❤👏👏👏
Steve Londoner
I was very surprised to see that Robbie and Guy Chambers, who wrote Angels, wrote this one, too! But I much prefer the Military Wives Choir version of it, as I am ex-RAF, so it touches my senses much more poignantly... sorry Robbie!! good lines, though... I wonder if he did conflab with the wives to write it?! 🙂