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.
New Year's Day
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to think we'd be alright
What a life, man, what a life
From the cradle to the grave
I scream and echoes will remain
What a life, man, when you're strange
Did you learn to ride the pain
Was your world insane? (Ooh)
Did you take aim?
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
(Ah)
You're out of sight, not out of mind
If I could pause or rewind
I'd rewind man, I'd rewind (ooh)
When I die, I'll die laughing
Don't cry 'cause it's over, smile 'cause it happened
What a life, man, what a life
I'm still learning to ride the pain
Like a bike through the rain (ah)
Is anything changed (ooh)
Should I take aim? (Fire)
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Oh, it's an energy
Oh, the memories
I hope you remember me and be happy
Oh, it's an energy
Oh, the memories
I hope you remember me and be happy
(Happy, happy)
(Happy, happy)
(Happy, happy)
(Happy New Year's Day)
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
The lyrics of Robbie Williams's song "New Year's Day" convey a sense of reflection on life and the fleeting nature of time. The opening lines, "If I had to die tonight, I'd like to think we'd be alright," suggest a contemplation of mortality. Despite the uncertainty and struggles in life, the song celebrates the journey from birth to death, acknowledging both the joys and challenges along the way. The line, "From the cradle to the grave, I scream, and echoes will remain," suggests that even though our individual existence may be brief, the impact we leave behind reverberates through time.
The chorus, "Happy days are here again, if we can't be lovers, let's be friends," speaks to finding solace and contentment in the simple joys of companionship and friendship. It emphasizes the importance of connecting with others and moving past conflicts. The line, "I just called to say, Happy New Year's Day," could be interpreted as a symbolic gesture of reaching out to mend relationships or express well wishes for a fresh start.
The lyrics also touch upon the themes of acceptance and finding meaning in life's experiences. The line, "When I die, I'll die laughing, don't cry 'cause it's over, smile 'cause it happened," encourages embracing a positive outlook, cherishing the moments that brought joy rather than mourning their end. Overall, "New Year's Day" reminds listeners to appreciate the journey of life and find happiness in the connections we make along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had to die tonight
If I were faced with the possibility of my own death this very night
I'd like to think we'd be alright
I would hope that everything between us would be fine
What a life, man, what a life
What an extraordinary and remarkable life we have
From the cradle to the grave
From birth to death
I scream and echoes will remain
I express my emotions loudly and the reverberations of my cries will linger
What a life, man, when you're strange
What an intriguing and remarkable life it is when you are peculiar or different
Did you learn to ride the pain
Did you discover how to cope with and overcome your suffering
Like tears in the rain? (Ah)
Like tears that flow down your face and get lost in the falling raindrops
Was your world insane? (Ooh)
Was your existence characterized by madness or chaos
Did you take aim?
Did you aim to achieve or target something
Happy days are here again
Times of joy and happiness have returned
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
If we cannot have a romantic relationship, then let us maintain a friendly connection
I just called to say
I am simply reaching out to convey
Happy New Year's Day
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
I am unsure of the underlying cause of our conflict
But I can't do it anymore
But I am no longer capable of enduring it
You're out of sight, not out of mind
You may be physically absent, but you are still in my thoughts and feelings
If I could pause or rewind
If only I had the ability to stop or go back in time
I'd rewind man, I'd rewind (ooh)
I would go back in time, my friend, I would go back
When I die, I'll die laughing
When I depart this world, I will go with a sense of joy and amusement
Don't cry 'cause it's over, smile 'cause it happened
Do not shed tears because it has come to an end, instead, smile because it occurred
I'm still learning to ride the pain
I am still discovering how to endure and overcome the agony
Like a bike through the rain (ah)
Similar to riding a bicycle under the pouring rain
Is anything changed (ooh)
Has anything been altered or transformed
Should I take aim? (Fire)
Should I set a goal or objective? (Ignite)
Oh, it's an energy
Oh, it is a powerful force or vitality
Oh, the memories
Oh, the recollections or experiences
I hope you remember me and be happy
I desire that you remember me and find happiness
(Happy, happy)
(Joyful, joyful)
(Happy, happy)
(Joyful, joyful)
(Happy, happy)
(Joyful, joyful)
(Happy New Year's Day)
(Wishing you a joyful New Year's Day)
Happy days are here again
Times of joy and happiness have returned
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
If we cannot have a romantic relationship, then let us maintain a friendly connection
I just called to say
I am simply reaching out to convey
Happy New Year's Day
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
I am unsure of the underlying cause of our conflict
But I can't do it anymore
But I am no longer capable of enduring it
Happy days are here again
Times of joy and happiness have returned
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
If we cannot have a romantic relationship, then let us maintain a friendly connection
I just called to say
I am simply reaching out to convey
Happy New Year's Day
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year's Day
Happy days are here again
Times of joy and happiness have returned
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
If we cannot have a romantic relationship, then let us maintain a friendly connection
I just called to say
I am simply reaching out to convey
Happy New Year's Day
Wishing you a joyful and prosperous New Year's Day
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benjamin Roy Castle, Karl Peter Brazil, Robert Peter Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Soul Intent
If I had to die tonight
I'd like to think, we'd be alright
What a life, man
What a life
From the cradle to the grave
I scream and echoes will remain
What a life, man
When you're strange
Did you learn to ride the pain
Like tears in the rain? (Ah-ah)
Was your world insane? (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Did you take aim?
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
(Ah-ah-ah-ah)
You're out of sight
Not out of mind
If I could pause or rewind
I'd rewind man, I'd rewind
(Ooh-ooh-ooh)
When I die, I'll die laughing
Don't cry 'cause it's over
Smile 'cause it happened
What a life, man
What a life
I'm still learning to ride the pain
Like a bike through the rain (Ah-ah)
Is anything changed (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Should I take aim? (Fire)
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Oh, it's an energy (Ooh-ooh)
Oh, the memories (Ooh-ooh)
I hope you remember me and be happy! (Oh-oh)
Oh, it's an energy (Ooh-ooh)
Oh, the memories (Ooh-ooh)
I hope you remember me and be happy!
(Happy, happy)
(Happy, happy)
(Happy, happy)
(Happy New Year's Day)
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Happy days are here again
If we can't be lovers, let's be friends
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Don't know what we're fighting for
But I can't do it anymore
I just called to say
Happy New Year's Day
Alejandra Feller
This song means so much to me... my baby brother suffered sudden death aged 25 in 2018 and his birthday was January 1st.
The first time I played the album was from my phone and I accidentally skipped a few songs, then this song began "If I had to die tonight..." I was sobbing, but happy at the same time because the song has such a positive message.
Thanks, Rob. 💖
dominique guilbaud
Merci ROBBIE,1 matin sans quelques refrains c'est la vie sans 🌞 et le soir c'est mon somnifère pour plonger dans 1 doux sommeil. Merci MERCI 👍🙂🧡💙❤💖💜
Ian Wragg
This album is a masterpiece thank you Mr Robert Peter Williams !
germanfailer
the new album is an absolute masterpiece, this song is really touching. I remember you said that you wanted the "Christmas Future" part to sound like a standalone RW album and you absolutely smashed it!
Sundries Rebeca Kundomal
Great song Robbie! Love it!🎄🎉
Federico Campo
The lyrics in the Christmas Future!! Only you can achieve such level, Rob 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
jdawake
BRILLIANT mister.....SMASHING.....it's like my favorite elements of songs I loved as a child, have been elevated and melded into something so FRESH so NOSTALGIC.......Home Run....Touchdown.....Score......WOW! Just WOW!
jdawake
so weird....my mac was closed and this song suddenly stared PLAYING.....
Connie Bradley
I know because of your deep loving soul and your music this year will definitely be happier!! It will just get happier as each year goes by!! We will live it to the fullest!! ❤️😘❤️😘
dominique guilbaud
À écouter et regarder toute l'année ROBBIE tu nous donne des AILES ..