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.
Swings Both Ways
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll get covered in dog doo
I'm gonna get off this sea saw
Say goodbye to your mama
Oh yea
Let's get high on some Pop Rock
Pop Rock and Coke
I'll blow your sock off, teach how to laugh at daddy's dirty jokes
Turn that smile upside down
Happy people don't have sex
Now Robbie, everybody swings both ways
From the butchest, the bandits, the fairest, the faggots and singers with everything they need
Everybody swings both ways
Face it Robbie, you're a little bit gay
Shall we dance?
I'm getting hot on the pavement
Can you find me some grass?
I have a certain arrangement
Up the Khyber Pass
Oh ya, let's get high with some fruit cake
Fruit cake and tea
And after I've done her
Well you can do me
Oh boy
Don't hedge your bets, double down, if you want to get ahead in Tinsel Town
Just follow me you enormous clown
Clever people don't have sex
Now Rufus, everybody swings both ways
The bully, the bigot, the giant, the midget and singers with everything they need
Everybody swings both ways
Face it Rufus, you're a tad gay
Oh yea?
Face it Robbie,
Uh huh?
You're a little bit gay
These lyrics from Robbie Williams's song, "Swings Both Ways," are a playful and irreverent exploration of sexuality and gender identity. The first verse finds Robbie announcing his arrival ("I'm coming out of the sandbox"), but warning his listeners that they may get dirty in the process ("you'll get covered in dog doo"). He then declares his intention to move on from the ups and downs of a childhood playground ("I'm gonna get off this seesaw") and bids farewell to his mother before launching into a description of the pleasures of Pop Rock and Coke.
The second verse begins with Robbie complaining about the heat ("I'm getting hot on the pavement") and asking for some relief ("can you find me some grass?"). He then makes a suggestive reference to a "certain arrangement" he has in mind ("up the Khyber Pass"), before proposing another drug-and-food combination, this time with "fruit cake and tea." The chorus, which is repeated several times throughout the song, celebrates sexual fluidity ("From the butchest, the bandits, the fairest, the faggots and singers with everything they need / Everybody swings both ways") and sarcastically suggests that not being willing to explore different sexual orientations might be a sign of lack of intelligence. The song closes with a call-and-response between Robbie and Rufus Wainwright (who makes a cameo appearance), each admitting to being "a little bit gay."
Line by Line Meaning
I'm coming out of the sandbox
I'm leaving behind my childish ways and entering a new phase of life.
You'll get covered in dog doo
Life isn't always easy, and sometimes bad things happen that you can't control.
I'm gonna get off this sea saw
I'm done with the back-and-forth of life and I'm ready to move forward.
Say goodbye to your mama
It's time to leave the familiar behind and venture out into the unknown.
Let's get high on some Pop Rock
Let's have some fun and indulge in the simple pleasures of life.
Pop Rock and Coke
We don't need anything fancy to have a good time.
I'll blow your sock off, teach how to laugh at daddy's dirty jokes
I'll show you a good time and help you let go of your inhibitions.
Don't hedge your bets, double down if you want to get ahead in Tinsel Town
If you want to succeed, you need to take risks and put everything on the line.
Turn that smile upside down
Let go of any negativity and embrace happiness.
Happy people don't have sex
If you're truly content with your life, you don't need to seek out pleasure in unhealthy ways.
Now Robbie, everybody swings both ways
Everyone has the capacity for attraction to both sexes, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
From the butchest, the bandits, the fairest, the faggots and singers with everything they need
No matter who you are, you have the potential to experience attraction to people of any gender.
Face it Robbie, you're a little bit gay
You don't have to fit into a certain mold to be happy, and it's okay to explore your sexuality regardless of what labels others may put on you.
Shall we dance?
Let's enjoy the moment and have some fun together.
I'm getting hot on the pavement
I'm feeling restless and eager to try something new.
Can you find me some grass?
I need something to ground me and bring me back to reality.
I have a certain arrangement
I have a plan in mind and I'm ready to see it through.
Up the Khyber Pass
Let's go on an adventure and explore the unknown.
Oh ya, let's get high with some fruit cake
Let's indulge in some harmless pleasures and have a good time.
Fruit cake and tea
We don't need anything extravagant to have a good time.
And after I've done her
After I've fulfilled my desires and had my fun.
Well you can do me
It's your turn now, and I'm ready to explore new experiences with you.
Just follow me you enormous clown
Don't take life too seriously, and let yourself have some fun.
Clever people don't have sex
If you're smart and analytical, you may be more likely to overthink things and miss out on the joys of life.
Now Rufus, everybody swings both ways
Sexuality is complex, and there's no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be attracted to someone.
The bully, the bigot, the giant, the midget and singers with everything they need
No matter who you are or what you believe, you have the capacity for attraction to people of any gender or identity.
Face it Rufus, you're a tad gay
Embracing your sexuality and exploring your desires can be liberating, and it's okay to experiment and explore without fear of judgment.
Face it Robbie,
You don't have to hide who you are or conform to societal expectations in order to be happy.
Uh huh?
It's time to embrace your true self and let go of any shame or guilt you may be feeling.
You're a little bit gay
There's nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality and embracing your true desires, regardless of what others may think.
Contributed by Parker B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kravensini
Lyrics for myself and whoever that needs them hahaha
I'm coming out of the sandbox
You'll get covered in dog doo
I'm gonna get off the see-saw
Say goodbye to your mama
Oh yeah let's get high on some pop rock
Pop rock and coke
I'll blow your sucker
Teach you how to laugh at daddy's dirty jokes
Don't head your bets, doubled down
If you wanna get ahead in tinsel town
Turn that smile upside down
Happy people don't have sex
Now Robbie
Everybody Swings Both Ways
From the butches, the bandits
The F?? The faggots and singers with everything they need
Everybody Swings Both Ways
Face it Robbie,
You're a little bit gay
I'm Getting hard on the pavement
Can you find me some grass?
I have a certain arrangement
Up the kyber pass
Oh yeah
Let's get high with some fruitcake
Fruitcake and tea
And after I've done her,
Well you can do me (Oh, boy)
Don't head your bets doubled down
If you wanna get ahead in tinsel town
Just follow me you enormous clown
Clever people don't have sex?
Now Rufus
Everybody Swings Both Ways
The bully, the bigot
The giant, the midget
And singers with everything they need
Everybody Swings both ways
Face it Rufus you're a tad gay (Oh, yeah?)
Face it Robbie, (Uh-huh)
your a little bit,
Gay...
@panaele7165
I'm coming out of the sandbox
You'll get covered in dog doo
I'm gonna get off this sea saw
Say goodbye to your mama
Oh yea
Let's get high on some Pop Rock
Pop Rock and Coke
I'll blow your sock off,
teach how to laugh at daddy's dirty jokes
Don't hedge your bets, double down
if you want to get ahead in Tinsel Town
Turn that smile upside down
Happy people don't have sex
Now Robbie, everybody swings both ways
From the butchest, the bandits, the fairest,
the faggots and singers with everything they need
Everybody swings both ways
Face it Robbie, you're a little bit gay
Shall we dance?
I'm getting hot on the pavement
Can you find me some grass?
I have a certain arrangement
Up the Khyber Pass
Oh ya, let's get high with some fruit cake
Fruit cake and tea
And after I've done her
Well you can do me
Oh boy
Don't hedge your bets, double down,
if you want to get ahead in Tinsel Town
Just follow me you enormous clown
Clever people don't have sex
Now Rufus, everybody swings both ways
The bully, the bigot, the giant,
the midget and singers with everything they need
Everybody swings both ways
Face it Rufus, you're a tad gay
Oh yea?
Face it Robbie,
Uh huh?
You're a little bit gay
@elriaahossivo4524
Listening to the radio isn't girls with stick on tattoos
Listen to the radio
And you will hear the songs you know
Make it effervescent here
And you might have a job my dear
My dear
I'm searching for something
Beyond my understanding
Looking for meaning
Where nothing is demanding
There are no surprises
Where nothing is expected
If you offer nothing
Then everyone accepts
[11/29, 12:37] Kingdom Of Heaven: https://youtu.be/KL8UrxmxvZM
@louisa9238
I never knew there was such an amazing jazzy hit about bisexuality
@GameOxygen999
This song SHOULD have a MUSIC VIDEO!
@rr7firefly
It does. Look for the "Studio Footage"
@Maddy_Clare
I agree
@cupids_favourite_aro4578
Am i the only one who thinks this would be great for a figure skating duet?
@carolawabdy
Robbie and Rufus, a match made in heaven!
@telsah1
Two of my favourite people on one record. WOW, and what a beautiful song this is too.
@user-dw4cm4pw4q
agree
@francesredridinghood
Absolutely lovely! They've got almost the same voices, difficult to guess who's singing lol that's brilliant Robbie!!
@OSGondar
Have to disagree but then again a Rufus obsession makes that easy lol.