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.

Random Acts Of Kindness
Robbie Williams Lyrics

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For those about to die we salute you
For those of about to cry we love you
For those of us who live in fear
Of Happy Christmas and New Year
I raise a toast to you

And if it hurts to be so blind
Why don't you try being kind

They've decided to become
A little more proactive
Creep upon you while you sleep
And make you less attractive

Born without a spine
Why don't you try being kind

For those out drinking their mother's wake
You'll find a way to soldier on
For those whose love evaporates
I pray you find where you belong

Oh the words I have repressed
Are coming out today I guess
It's justice not respect I'm after
And that just leaves comtempt
For you all

I am just a simple man
With simple expectations
With deep regrets they're seldom met
God speed my generation

And with Crowley on my mind
I should try being kind

For those about to die we salute you
For those of about to cry we love you

For those about to die we salute you
For those of about to cry we love you

Overall Meaning

In "Random Acts of Kindness", Robbie Williams seems to offer heartfelt empathy and compassion towards people who are struggling with various issues. He salutes those who are facing death, and expresses love to those who might be crying. He acknowledges the fear and anxiety that can come with the joyous holidays of Christmas and New Year, and raises a toast to people who might be struggling with those emotions. He sings about the importance of being kind, especially when it might be difficult to do so. He describes people who are actively making others unhappy and advises them to try being kind instead. Additionally, he prays for people who have lost their love and hopes that they find a place where they belong.

While the song can be perceived as melancholic and sad, it seems to have been written as a tribute to human resilience and the power of kindness. Williams encourages listeners to be compassionate towards others, even though we all have complex emotions and experiences. The lyrics also hint at his own vulnerabilities, and his struggle to find peace amidst chaos. Overall, the song has a poignant message that is relevant to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Line by Line Meaning

For those about to die we salute you
We acknowledge and honor those who are facing imminent death

For those of about to cry we love you
We express our compassion and support for those who are feeling emotional pain

For those of us who live in fear Of Happy Christmas and New Year I raise a toast to you
For those who struggle during the holiday season, we extend our solidarity and camaraderie

And if it hurts to be so blind Why don't you try being kind
If it's painful to be ignorant or insensitive, it's worth making an effort to be compassionate and considerate

They've decided to become A little more proactive Creep upon you while you sleep And make you less attractive
Some people take pleasure in causing harm or discomfort to others, often in subtle ways

Born without a spine Why don't you try being kind
When someone lacks courage or integrity, it may be helpful for them to show warmth and kindness instead

For those out drinking their mother's wake You'll find a way to soldier on For those whose love evaporates I pray you find where you belong
For those experiencing grief or heartbreak, we encourage them to persevere and find healing in their own way

Oh the words I have repressed Are coming out today I guess It's justice not respect I'm after And that just leaves comtempt For you all
The artist has been holding back their true feelings, but now they want to express their anger and disdain for others who haven't treated them fairly

I am just a simple man With simple expectations With deep regrets they're seldom met God speed my generation
The artist is humble and realistic, acknowledging that their hopes and dreams may not come true, but they wish their peers well

And with Crowley on my mind I should try being kind
The artist is possibly referring to a figure from occultism or mythology, and implies that they should make an effort to be compassionate and gracious

For those about to die we salute you For those of about to cry we love you For those about to die we salute you For those of about to cry we love you
Repeating the opening lines, the singer reiterates their respect and empathy for those struggling with death or sadness

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN DUFFY, ROBERT WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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