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.
On the Fence
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m only several words into this song
Yesterday yes was the equation
Now todays no what's the occasion
I used to be the bird that always flew
Did I sit on the fence because all I can think of is you
I′ve never been more confused
When I check for the text like a neurotic chancer
The verb is a void cause no is the answer
I used to be the boy who played it cool
Then I sat on the fence and all I could think of is you
Oh, did we enter the friend zone
And oh, is there any way back
I thought we had a strong connection
You said it had to be perfection
Please let me be the one to break that rule
I don't know what went wrong
Cause I don′t have a clue
Like a knife and a fork and a big bowl of soup
And I sat on the fence and now all I can think of is you
Why, why... why, why, why, why
The lyrics of Robbie Williams's song "On the Fence" capture the confusion and longing in a relationship that has taken an unexpected turn. The singer is reflecting on the changing dynamics between them and questions what went wrong. They express their frustration and uncertainty, wondering why things have shifted from positivity to negativity. The lyrics describe a shift from a positive equation to a negative one, symbolizing the change in their relationship. The singer feels they have lost their sense of direction and purpose, going from being free-spirited to being stuck in a state of indecision. The phrase "sitting on the fence" reflects their inability to make a clear choice or take a definite path, as their thoughts are dominated by thoughts of this person.
The second verse delves into the singer's confusion and desperation. They constantly check their phone, hoping for a message that will bring clarity or positive news, but they are constantly disappointed. The verb becomes empty and meaningless as they are met with a consistent answer of "no." The singer used to be cool and composed, but now they find themselves unable to escape thoughts of this person and the confusion surrounding their relationship.
The bridge of the song expresses the singer's realization that they may have entered the friend zone, a space where romantic connection is lost. They question whether there is any way to salvage the relationship and find their way back to a place of intimacy.
Overall, "On the Fence" explores the emotions of confusion, longing, and uncertainty that arise when a relationship takes an unexpected turn. It portrays the internal struggle of someone who is torn between wanting to move on and being unable to let go.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey now, what did I do wrong?
I am questioning my actions and trying to understand if I made any mistakes.
I′m only several words into this song
I have just started expressing my thoughts and emotions through this song.
Yesterday yes was the equation
In the past, saying 'yes' was the right decision or response.
Now todays no what's the occasion
But now, saying 'no' seems to be the norm, and I wonder why.
I used to be the bird that always flew
I was once free-spirited, always moving forward without hesitation.
Did I sit on the fence because all I can think of is you
But now I find myself indecisive and unsure, perhaps because you are constantly on my mind.
I′ve never been more confused
I have never felt so bewildered and uncertain.
I look at the phone but it's all bad news
Whenever I check my phone, I only receive disappointing or negative messages.
When I check for the text like a neurotic chancer
I anxiously search for your messages, hoping for a chance or opportunity.
The verb is a void cause no is the answer
But there is no action or forward movement because the answer I receive is always 'no.'
I used to be the boy who played it cool
I used to be confident and unaffected by emotional turmoil.
Then I sat on the fence and all I could think of is you
But now, my indecision has consumed me, and I can't help but constantly think about you.
Oh, did we enter the friend zone
I wonder if our relationship has transitioned into being just friends.
And oh, is there any way back
And I contemplate if it is possible to return to the way things were before.
I thought we had a strong connection
I believed that we had a deep and meaningful bond.
You said it had to be perfection
You expressed the need for everything to be flawless and ideal.
Please let me be the one to break that rule
But I beg for the chance to be the exception and break that standard of perfection.
I don't know what went wrong
I am clueless about what caused this shift or misunderstanding.
Cause I don′t have a clue
Because I genuinely have no idea.
Like a knife and a fork and a big bowl of soup
I am stuck and unable to proceed, like a utensil in a bowl of soup.
And I sat on the fence and now all I can think of is you
And now, my indecisiveness has consumed me entirely, and thoughts of you are the only thing on my mind.
Why, why... why, why, why, why
I am full of questions, seeking answers and trying to comprehend the situation.
Writer(s): Robert Peter Williams, Scott Andrew Ralph, Richard Scott, Kelvin Andrews
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
EDINSON JUSTO QUISPE ESCOBAR
Hey now, what did I do wrong?
I'm only several words into this song
Yesterday yes was the equation
Now todays no what's the occasion
I used to be the bird that always flew
Did I sit on the fence because all I can think of is you
I've never been more confused
I look at the phone but it's all bad news
When I check for the text like a neurotic chancer
The verb is a void cause no is the answer
I used to be the boy who played it cool
Then I sat on the fence and all I could think of is you
Oh, did we enter the friend zone
And oh, is there any way back
I thought we had a strong connection
You said it had to be perfection
Please let me be the one to break that rule
I don't know what went wrong
Cause I don't have a clue
Like a knife and a fork and a big bowl of soup
And I sat on the fence and now all I can think of is you
Why, why... why, why, why, why
Tjd L
Hey now, what did I do wrong?
I'm only several words into this song
Yesterday yes was the equation
Now todays no what's the occasion
I used to be the bird that always flew
Did I sit on the fence because all I can think of is you
I've never been more confused
I look at the phone but it's all bad news
When I check for the text like a neurotic chancer
The verb is a void cause no is the answer
I used to be the boy who played it cool
Then I sat on the fence and all I could think of is you
Oh, did we enter the friend zone
And oh, is there any way back
I thought we had a strong connection
You said it had to be perfection
Please let me be the one to break that rule
I don't know what went wrong
Cause I don't have a clue
Like a knife and a fork and a big bowl of soup
And I sat on the fence and now all I can think of is you
Why, why... why, why, why, why
knappflickan
I love the whole album, such a diverse mix of different moods and styles 😎
Tsveti Vedrichkova
Sooo nice. Swing is definitely Rob’s style. Sounds so good I can’t stop listening. Good job Rob❤️
Rachycarlos D L
Loving the swing. Your voice is so versatile 😊
MsRudebox74
This is just woooowwwwww. Nobody swings better than you Mr. Williams!!!👍👍👍💋💋💋
telsah1
You so do this kind of singing / music as if you were created / invented for this purpose. It sounds so marvelous. I love this.
EDINSON JUSTO QUISPE ESCOBAR
Hey now, what did I do wrong?
I'm only several words into this song
Yesterday yes was the equation
Now todays no what's the occasion
I used to be the bird that always flew
Did I sit on the fence because all I can think of is you
I've never been more confused
I look at the phone but it's all bad news
When I check for the text like a neurotic chancer
The verb is a void cause no is the answer
I used to be the boy who played it cool
Then I sat on the fence and all I could think of is you
Oh, did we enter the friend zone
And oh, is there any way back
I thought we had a strong connection
You said it had to be perfection
Please let me be the one to break that rule
I don't know what went wrong
Cause I don't have a clue
Like a knife and a fork and a big bowl of soup
And I sat on the fence and now all I can think of is you
Why, why... why, why, why, why
Esther B.
Swing suits you so well! ❤️
Kelly Doogan
I miss swing so much, I was so happy to hear this on the album. Swing is so your thing xx
Alexandra Schäfer
You are extremly versatile. Strong voice and yeah swing suits you very well.*good my chairs are swingers*
Heidi NYC
On the fence oh my..yes..ms.pepper..yes..still listening to uploads, album hasn't come..Robbie thumbs up.