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.

Karaoke Overkill
Robbie Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We're all so chic, living in class A
Partying is such sweet sorrow today
When you don't know who your friends are
and neither do they
We're all so amused,
and maybe it's better that way

She's been seen with him,

he's been seen with her
Happy propaganda, just add vodka and stir
Sing "My Way" and mean it, karaoke overkill
We all should know better
but I bet we never will!

We're insecure,
making me think I'm not fit to lace your drink
I've seen you in Marbella,
you're a real player, taking it easy

We all know we shouldn't
and that is why we do it
Here's my glass house,
why don't you come and view it?
Sing "My Way" and mean it karaoke overkill
We all should know better,
but I bet we never, the sooner the better,
I'll send you a letter, said...

Hanging with your sister,
playing naked Twister(tm)
Down to your toga,
playing strip poker
Give us a clue,
seeing the night through
And you're so vain the song ain't about you

Hanging with your sister,
playing naked Twister(tm)
Down to your toga,
playing strip poker

(B-Side of the single "Angels")

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robbie Williams's song Karaoke Overkill talk about the lifestyle of the rich and famous, where partying and drinking excessively has become the norm. The song begins by describing the desire to live a luxurious life in Class A, but at the same time acknowledging the emptiness of it all. The chorus talks about the facade of happiness that comes with drinking and singing karaoke, even if one doesn't really mean what they are singing. The verses highlight the insecurities and uncertainties that exist in such a world, where relationships are fickle and people don't really know who their friends are.

The lyrics also touch upon the theme of self-indulgence, where people do things they know they shouldn't, simply because they can. The lines "We all know we shouldn't, and that is why we do it" sum up this sentiment. The ending lines of the song bring forth the emptiness and vanity that exist in such a world, where people are so blinded by their own self-importance that they cannot see beyond themselves.

In essence, the song is a commentary on the hollowness of a life lived solely for pleasure and indulgence, devoid of true meaning or substance.

Line by Line Meaning

We're all so chic, living in class A
We're all trying to be fashionable and trendy by living a luxurious lifestyle

Partying is such sweet sorrow today
Although partying is enjoyable, it often results in negative consequences

When you don't know who your friends are and neither do they
There's uncertainty in our social relationships, which can lead to uncomfortable interactions

We're all so amused, and maybe it's better that way
We're all content with being entertained, even if it's not entirely fulfilling

She's been seen with him, he's been seen with her
People are gossiping about others' relationships and romantic connections

Happy propaganda, just add vodka and stir
Alcohol makes people happy and results in a reduction of inhibition

Sing "My Way" and mean it, karaoke overkill
We should strive to be authentic and genuine, but sometimes we overdo it with karaoke and performances

We all should know better but I bet we never will!
We are aware of our behavior's consequences, but we continue to engage in it anyway

We're insecure, making me think I'm not fit to lace your drink
Our insecurities make us feel inferior to others and inadequate

I've seen you in Marbella, you're a real player, taking it easy
I've observed you in Marbella, and you engage in risky or bold behavior without concern

Here's my glass house, why don't you come and view it?
I'm exposing myself and my vulnerabilities to you, and I welcome scrutiny

And you're so vain the song ain't about you
Your self-centered behavior leads you to believe everything is about you, even when it's not

Hanging with your sister, playing naked Twister(tm)
You engage in taboo or sexual behavior with family members, which is inappropriate

Down to your toga, playing strip poker
You take off your clothes, even in inappropriate situations or with people you should not

Give us a clue, seeing the night through
Help us understand and navigate difficult situations or things we don't comprehend

Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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