The song became a smash hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number-two and selling over 200,000 copies being certified Silver by the BPI. The track also broke into the top ten in several other countries including New Zealand, Mexico and Argentina as well as hitting the top twenty in Australia, being certified Gold in the latter for sales over the 35,000 copies.
The lyrics, although penned by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, refer back to a previous hit of Kylies, Give Me Just a Little More Time - Kylie sings 'you're dancing with the chairman of the board', Chairmen of the Board being the group that originally released the song before Kylie. "Chairman of the Board" is also a nickname for Robbie's lifelong idol, Frank Sinatra.
Williams and Minogue have only performed the song together on a few occasions. The most well known being at the 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards, they have also performed it on Top of the Pops twice and at one of Williams' concerts in Manchester in 2001.
Both artists perform the song regularly when touring, one of their backing singers usually tends to sing it along with them. On Minogue's Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour, U2 frontman Bono took Williams' place and performed it with her. Minogue's sister Dannii has joined her to perform the song on a couple of shows in Minogue's Showgirl tour.
Kids
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me smoke heavy tar
Me be groovin' slowly where you are
Notify your next of kin
'Cause you're never coming back
I've been dropping beats since Back in Black
And we'll paint by numbers
Don't mind doing it for the kids
(So come on) jump on board
Take a ride, yeah
(You'll be doin' it all night)
Jump on board feel the high, yeah
'Cause the kids are alright
You've got a reputation
Well, I guess that can be explored
You're dancing with the chairman of the board
Take a ride on my twelve cylinder symphony
But if you've got other plans
The purpose of a woman is to love her man
And we'll paint by numbers
'Til something sticks
I don't mind doing it for the kids
So come on, jump on board
Take a ride, yeah (take a ride, yeah)
(You'll be doin' it all night)
Jump on board feel the high, yeah
'Cause the kids are alright
I'm gonna give it all of my loving
It's gonna take up all of my love
I'm gonna give it all of my loving
It's gonna take up all of my love
I'm gonna give it all of my loving
It's gonna take up all of my love
I'm gonna give it all of my loving
It's gonna take up all of my love, woo
Come down from the ceiling
I didn't mean to get so high
I couldn't do what I wanted to do
When my lips were dry
You can't just up and leave me
I'm a singer in a band
Well, I like drummers baby
You're not my bag
Jump on board
Take a ride, yeah (take a ride, yeah)
(You'll be doin' it all night)
Jump on board feel the high, yeah
Jump on board
Take a ride, yeah (take a ride, yeah)
(We'll be doin' it all night)
Jump on board feel the high, yeah
'Cause the kids are alright
Jump on board
Take a ride, yeah (take a ride, yeah)
(You'll be doin' it all night)
Jump on board feel the high, yeah
Jump on board
Take a ride, yeah (take a ride, yeah)
(We'll be doin' it all night)
Jump on board feel the high
The lyrics to "Kids" by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue revolve around the idea of embracing youth and the reckless abandon that comes with it. The opening lines of "Me no bubblicious, me smoke heavy tar, me be groovin' slowly where you are" suggest a disregard for health and a carefree attitude towards life. The chorus, "And we'll paint by numbers 'til something sticks, don't mind doing it for the kids," conveys a willingness to take risks and experiment, even if the results are uncertain.
The second verse, "You've got a reputation, well, I guess that can be explored, you're dancing with the chairman of the board, take a ride on my twelve cylinder symphony," speaks to the desire to live life to the fullest and experience everything it has to offer. The line "the purpose of a woman is to love her man" could be interpreted as a commentary on traditional gender roles, but it also ties into the overarching theme of embracing life and enjoying love.
Line by Line Meaning
Me no bubblicious
I don't have any fancy possessions or extravagances
Me smoke heavy tar
I smoke a lot of cigarettes and it's not healthy
Me be groovin' slowly where you are
I'm dancing to the music slowly near where you're at
Notify your next of kin, 'Cause you're never coming back
You should let your loved ones know, because you won't be returning from this experience
I've been dropping beats since Back in Black
I've been producing music for a long time, just like the album Back in Black by AC/DC
And we'll paint by numbers, 'Til something sticks
We'll keep trying different things until something works and we get a hit song
Don't mind doing it for the kids
We don't care if we have to make music that's more accessible to appeal to a younger audience
(So come on) jump on board, Take a ride, yeah
Let's work together and create something amazing
(You'll be doin' it all night)
We'll be putting in a lot of effort for a long time
Jump on board feel the high, yeah
Join us and experience the excitement and joy of making music
'Cause the kids are alright
Because the youth are doing well and will appreciate our music
You've got a reputation, Well, I guess that can be explored
You have a certain image or reputation, but we're willing to explore other possibilities and try new things
You're dancing with the chairman of the board
You're dancing with someone who's powerful and influential
Take a ride on my twelve cylinder symphony
Join me and experience the full range of my musical abilities and talents
But if you've got other plans, The purpose of a woman is to love her man
If you're busy, it's okay because I believe that women should prioritize loving their partners
I'm gonna give it all of my loving, It's gonna take up all of my love
I'm going to devote all of my love and energy to this project
Come down from the ceiling, I didn't mean to get so high
You're really excited and energetic, but you need to calm down
I couldn't do what I wanted to do, When my lips were dry
It's hard to perform well when your mouth is dry, so let's take a break and hydrate
You can't just up and leave me, I'm a singer in a band
You can't just abandon me because I'm an important member of this group
Well, I like drummers baby, You're not my bag
I prefer a certain type of person, and unfortunately you're not what I'm looking for
(We'll be doin' it all night)
We'll be working tirelessly to make this song perfect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: George Konings, Guy Chambers, Jjm Van Den Borne, Robbie Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frenchtickler915
GTA has literally been introducing me to sick fuckin music for 20 years
@Lilnate0864
Agreed
@daha3074
I remember playing GTA as a kid you know the 2D version and GTA has really evolved. San Andreas was my favorite.
@Sapov
Best music teacher
@thestoicjosh
F'yeah.
@troykapix5077
In which GTA was this song, I had no clue it was in any of it. Speaking of GTA too bad they censored and removed so many and don't want to release any old originals so they don't get backlashes from idiots of today because those would be labeled as ofensive in many ways.
@SovereignKing
The chorus could power an entire city!
@englandsbiggestmusicnerd7866
100%
@antonkomarov9025
Rofl
@danielatherton1631
That fuzz comes in and comes in all the way!