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.
Making Plans for Nigel
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And loves to be spoken to
Nigel is happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
The song "Making Plans for Nigel" by Robbie Williams is a cover of the original by the band XTC. The lyrics are about Nigel, who seems to be a young man starting out in his career. The first verse speaks of making plans for Nigel, wanting what's best for him, and giving him a helping hand. The implication is that Nigel either cannot or will not make these plans for himself, so others are doing it for him.
The second verse speaks to Nigel's happiness in his work. If he says he's happy, then he must be happy. However, the repetition of this line gives the impression that perhaps Nigel's feelings are being dismissed or ignored. The line "Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed" indicates that he may not have many options or opportunities beyond the path he's currently on. The last stanza describes Nigel as not outspoken but still liking to speak and be spoken to. The final line reiterates the idea that the plans being made are not by Nigel, but for him.
Line by Line Meaning
We're only making plans for Nigel
We are in complete control of Nigel's life decisions and future plans.
We only want what's best for him
We believe we know what's best for Nigel, and will make decisions accordingly without his input.
Nigel just needs this helping hand
Nigel cannot make decisions for himself and needs our assistance in navigating his life.
And if young Nigel says he's happy
If Nigel expresses contentment, we assume it is because he is in the correct field and do not consider the possibility of him wanting or needing more.
He must be happy
We dismiss any doubts or concerns Nigel may have and only focus on the surface level of his happiness.
He must be happy in his work
Nigel's happiness is directly tied to his job, and we view his job as a defining aspect of his life.
He has his future in a British steel
We have predetermined that Nigel's future lies in the steel industry, and have limited his options accordingly.
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed
Our plans for Nigel's future are rigid and unchangeable, leaving no room for him to explore different paths or make his own decisions.
Nigel is not outspoken
We believe that Nigel is not capable of speaking up for himself or expressing his true desires.
But he likes to speak
Despite our assumptions, Nigel may actually have strong opinions and desires, but has not been given the opportunity to share them with us.
And loves to be spoken to
Nigel craves the chance to express himself and have his voice heard, but feels stifled by our control over his life.
Nigel is happy in his work
We have convinced ourselves that Nigel is content and fulfilled in his predetermined career, ignoring any signs of discontentment or unfulfilled potential.
We're only making plans for Nigel
The repetition of this phrase highlights our obsession with controlling and directing Nigel's life, despite the potential harm it may cause him.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Colin Ivor Moulding
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!