Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer and song… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, and achieved commercial success after launching a solo career in 1996. His debut studio album, Life thru a Lens, was released in 1997, and included his signature song, "Angels". His second album, I've Been Expecting You, featured the songs "Millennium" and "She's the One", his first number one singles. His discography includes seven UK No. 1 singles, and all but one of his 14 studio albums have reached No. 1 in the UK. Six of his albums are among the top 100 biggest-selling albums in the UK, with two of them in the top 60, and he gained a Guinness World Record in 2006 for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during his Close Encounters Tour.

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.

I Tried Love
Robbie Williams Lyrics

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Is the Richard Gere gerbil story true?
Who came third in World War II?
Did Sooty sleep with Sue
These things I think about
When I'm out with you

What are the holes in biros for?
Which one's which in The Corrs?

Did Geoff Hurst really score?
Cause frankly you're a bore
And I'm not

And if it's leaving season
You're second on the bill
If you won't leave me baby
I'll find someone who will
I tried love
I'm sorry
I tried love

Does God ever get it wrong?
Where has Gary Barlow gone?
Why is Christmas day so long?
It just goes on and on and on
Like you

And if it's leaving season
You're the second on the bill
If you won't leave me baby
I'll find someone who will
I tried love
I'm sorry
I tried love

Duu du du duu duu...

I tried love
And I'm sorry
I tried love

Why is there ketchup on my sleeve?
D'you think that Adam fancied Eve?
What if Eve could not concieve?

And he had to breed with Steve
We'd all be gay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robbie Williams's song "I Tried Love" delve into the mundane and trivial thoughts that cross the singer's mind while being with someone he finds boring or uninteresting. The song is filled with a series of random questions and musings, reflecting the scattered nature of his thoughts. These questions range from urban legends like the Richard Gere gerbil story to historical trivia like the third-place finisher in World War II. Additionally, the singer ponders about insignificant matters such as the purpose of holes in biros and the identity of the members in the band The Corrs.

The lyrics also express the singer's dissatisfaction with the person he is with, referring to them as a bore. He contemplates the idea of leaving the relationship, describing it as "leaving season." The singer feels that if the person doesn't leave him, he will find someone else who will.

The song's chorus, "I tried love, I'm sorry, I tried love," indicates that the singer has made an effort to make the relationship work but is now coming to terms with the fact that it hasn't been successful. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes his acknowledgment of the failed attempt at finding love.

Line by Line Meaning

Is the Richard Gere gerbil story true?
I ponder on urban legends and outrageous rumors, wondering if there is any truth to them.

Who came third in World War II?
Intrigued by historical facts, I contemplate the lesser-known details and rankings of significant events.

Did Sooty sleep with Sue?
Curiosity leads me to question the personal relationships of fictional characters, even if they seem trivial.

These things I think about When I'm out with you
While in your company, my mind wanders and contemplates these seemingly random thoughts.

What are the holes in biros for?
I find myself pondering the practical purpose behind the tiny holes found in ballpoint pens.

Which one's which in The Corrs?
I am intrigued by the distinction between the members of the musical group The Corrs, trying to identify each individual.

Did Geoff Hurst really score?
In the realm of sports, I question the authenticity of a famous goal scored by Geoff Hurst.

Cause frankly you're a bore
To be honest, I find you quite dull and uninteresting.

And I'm not
In contrast to your boring nature, I consider myself to be more engaging and intriguing.

And if it's leaving season You're second on the bill
During a time when people tend to end relationships, you rank as my second choice, not my priority.

If you won't leave me baby I'll find someone who will
If you refuse to end our relationship, I will actively seek someone else who is willing to do so.

I tried love
I made an attempt at romantic love and relationships.

I'm sorry
I regretfully acknowledge any pain or disappointment caused by my actions or decisions.

Does God ever get it wrong?
Deep in contemplation, I ponder the possibility of divine fallibility.

Where has Gary Barlow gone?
Perplexed by the absence of Gary Barlow, I wonder about his whereabouts and current activities.

Why is Christmas day so long?
Reflecting on the duration of Christmas day, I find myself contemplating its seemingly prolonged nature.

It just goes on and on and on Like you
Similar to the seemingly never-ending Christmas day, your presence and conversation also persist endlessly.

And I'm sorry
Once again, I express remorse for any discomfort or dissatisfaction caused by my actions or choices.

Duu du du duu duu...
This part signifies a musical interlude and does not convey a specific message.

Why is there ketchup on my sleeve?
I am puzzled by the presence of ketchup on my sleeve, questioning how it ended up there.

D'you think that Adam fancied Eve?
Curiosity arises as I wonder whether Adam had romantic feelings towards Eve in the biblical narrative.

What if Eve could not conceive?
I contemplate the hypothetical scenario where Eve encounters difficulties in conceiving a child.

And he had to breed with Steve
Imagining an alternative path, I consider a situation where Adam, unable to reproduce with Eve, resorts to procreating with a man named Steve.

We'd all be gay
Playfully suggesting that if Adam and Steve became the primary procreators, homosexuality could potentially become the norm for humanity.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GUY ANTONY CHAMBERS, ADRIAN DEEVOY, ROBERT PETER WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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