The b-side is the live version of Let Me Entertain You recorded at the 1999 BRIT Awards, the performance was included on the single in the Enhanced Section.
During his live performance at Knebworth Williams and the crowd all sang Strong in an attempt to break the biggest number of people doing karaoke world record.
The video is a compilation of on-tour footage, including many live performances, Robbie with his nephew, Robbie on stage with his dad, and Robbie goofing off.
The song became Williams' seventh top five single in the United Kingdom when it was released in March 1999, the track also managed to break inside the top ten in New Zealand, but it did not make a bigger impact around Europe.
Strong
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when I'm drunk I dance like me dad
I've started to dress a bit like him
And early morning when I wake up
I look like Kiss but without the make up
And that's a good line to take it to the bridge
And you know and you know
And I'm trying to grow
So before I'm old, I'll confess
You think that I'm strong
You're wrong, you're wrong
I'll sing my song, my song, my song
My bed's full of takeaways
And fantasies of easy lays
The pause button's broke on my video
And is this real 'cause I feel fake
Oprah Winfrey, Ricki Lake
Teach me things I don't need to know
And you know and you know
'Cause my life's a mess
And it's starting to show
So before I'm old, I'll confess
You think that I'm strong
You're wrong, you're wrong
I'll sing my song, my song, my song
If I did it all again I'd be a nun
The rain was never cold when I was young
I'm still young, we're still young
Life's too short to be afraid
Step inside the sun
And you know and you know
'Cause my life's a mess
And I'm trying to grow
Hey, hey
You think that I'm strong
You're wrong, you're wrong
I'll sing my song, my song, my song
You think that I'm strong
You're wrong, you're wrong
I'll sing my song, my song, my song
Life's too short to be afraid
Take a pill to numb the pain
You don't have to take the blame
Life's too short to be afraid
Take a pill to numb the pain
You don't have to take the blame
Life's too short to be afraid
Take a pill to numb the pain
You don't have to take the blame
Life's too short to be afraid
Take a pill to numb the pain
You don't have to take the blame
The song "Strong" by Robbie Williams showcases his struggles with his vices and personal demons. The opening lyrics describe his unhealthy habits of drinking and smoking, ultimately leading to him looking like his father. The next verse mentions his lack of self-care, as evidenced by his bed filled with takeaways and his fascination with talk show hosts Oprah and Ricki Lake. The chorus addresses the common misconception that he is a strong person, and he admits that his life is a mess and he is trying to grow.
The song also has an empowering theme, as evidenced by the line "Life's too short to be afraid, step inside the sun." This implies that he is encouraging himself and others to face their fears and live boldly. He also mentions taking a pill to numb the pain, but ultimately acknowledges that one doesn't have to take the blame for their struggles.
Overall, "Strong" by Robbie Williams is a candid and introspective look at his struggles with addiction and self-esteem, while also encouraging listeners to take control of their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
My breath smells of a thousand fags
I have been smoking so much that my breath smells like a thousand cigarettes
And when I'm drunk I dance like me dad
I inherited my dad's moves when I'm drunk
I've started to dress a bit like him
I am becoming more like my dad in terms of fashion sense
And early morning when I wake up
When I wake up in the morning
I look like Kiss but without the make up
I look disheveled and need some fixing up in the morning
And that's a good line to take it to the bridge
And that's a good point to go to the next section of the song
And you know and you know
And you understand
'Cause my life's a mess
Because my life is chaotic and disordered
And I'm trying to grow
And I'm trying to improve myself
So before I'm old, I'll confess
So before I become older, I will admit the truth
You think that I'm strong
You believe that I am resilient and unbreakable
You're wrong, you're wrong
You're mistaken
I'll sing my song, my song, my song
I'll sing my own tune and express myself.
My bed's full of takeaways
My bed is full of food leftovers and wrappers from takeout food
And fantasies of easy lays
And thoughts of engaging in casual sexual relationships
The pause button's broke on my video
The pause button on my video player is broken
And is this real 'cause I feel fake
And I don't know if my life is real because I feel insincere
Oprah Winfrey, Ricki Lake
Oprah Winfrey and Ricki Lake (famous talk show hosts)
Teach me things I don't need to know
Teach me things I don't necessarily need to learn
If I did it all again I'd be a nun
If I had a chance to do it again, I would live a life of celibacy as a nun or a virgin
The rain was never cold when I was young
The rain never bothered me when I was young
I'm still young, we're still young
I'm still considered young, and so are you
Life's too short to be afraid
Life is too brief to be afraid
Step inside the sun
Embrace life with all its problems
Hey, hey
A filler or exclamation
Take a pill to numb the pain
Take medication to lessen the suffering
You don't have to take the blame
You don't have to feel responsible and accountable for everything
Life's too short to be afraid
Life is too brief to worry
Take a pill to numb the pain
Take medication to reduce the discomfort
You don't have to take the blame
You don't have to hold yourself accountable for everything
Life's too short to be afraid
Life is too brief to be scared
Take a pill to numb the pain
Take medication to alleviate the agony
You don't have to take the blame
You don't have to take responsibility for everything
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Chambers, Robert Peter Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
markbannan3404
While I am not a Take That fan, Robbie Williams is an amazing talent and this is a truly stellar track!
Bushman
This is my favourite Robbie song. It exposes his vulnerability and makes him human.
adolfo silva
Fantástica canción...adictiva ...para cantar a todo pulmon
bryony goose
this song is my dad, always reminds me of him and how he looked after me and my sister after my mum died.
Geoffrey Jonathan Wilson
Ah bless, lovely memories for you.
fluorosco
Thats Awesome👍
Claire Hawkins
Ahh Same
Dean Taggart
9 years ago you left comment. And it still stands up. For me. Hope he is ok and you and family. (Not that I know you all ha) this song reminds me of looking out of a van window, air blowing on face future to come. Happy times. X much love enjoy the festivities.
nickpriech
Well my dad died and I look after my mum .
Emanuele Franzini
LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE AFRAID is print in my mind every single day !!! BE STRONG!