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.
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Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the vessel there's a switch in the middle
You really shouldn't fiddle cause its toxic
Listen up 'cause it's a red light
And the pressure's blowing up tight
There's a schism in the time mechanism
There's a schism in the time mechanism
Never touch that switch
You don't know what it can do.
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
See the futures in the distance
I know I'm facing some resistance
Getting back within the blink of a bubble
Time machine never gives us any trouble.
There's a riot down in Shelton
Only minutes after Brixton but this city never made it on the telly
Or the rumble of the nations underbelly
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
You know you're heading for a meltdown, and you're living in a tin town
Thinking that you're gonna be somebody, living in the land of milk and honey
Listen up 'cause it's a red light, and the futures blowing up tight
There's a schism in the time mechanism, there's a schism in the time mechanism
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
You don't know what it can do.
The lyrics of the song "Never touch this switch" by Robbie Williams describes the consequences of playing around with something without fully understanding what it is capable of. The song is about a time machine and a switch within it that should not be touched. Although it may be tempting to fiddle with the switch, the lyrics caution against doing so as it is "toxic" and can have unpredictable, dangerous effects. The switch is described as having a paradoxical size, which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding it.
The song also touches on the idea of the future being uncertain, with the lyrics stating that "the futures [sic] in the distance" and that there is "resistance" to facing it. There is a sense of foreboding and tension throughout the song, with references to riots and pressure building up. The lyrics suggest that there is a schism, or a split, within the time mechanism that could potentially cause chaos if the switch were to be turned.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of being curious without understanding the consequences of our actions. It urges listeners to be mindful of the potential consequences of their choices and to tread carefully when playing with things beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Size of which is paradoxic the only way you're gonna stop this
The situation is paradoxical, and the only way to stop it is to avoid touching the switch.
In the vessel there's a switch in the middle
There is a switch in the middle of the time machine.
You really shouldn't fiddle cause its toxic
It is dangerous to touch the switch and try to mess with it.
Listen up 'cause it's a red light
Pay attention and be cautious because it is a warning sign (red light).
And the pressure's blowing up tight
The situation is becoming tense and the pressure is increasing.
There's a schism in the time mechanism
There is a split or division in the time machine's mechanism.
Never touch that switch
Do not touch the switch.
Even if you want to
Even if you have the desire to touch it.
You don't know what it can do.
You are not aware of the potential consequences of touching it.
See the futures in the distance
The possibilities for the future are visible ahead.
I know I'm facing some resistance
I am encountering obstacles and opposition.
Getting back within the blink of a bubble
Time travel allows for swift transportation through time and space.
Time machine never gives us any trouble.
Usually, the time machine does not malfunction or cause problems.
There's a riot down in Shelton
There is a chaotic situation happening in Shelton.
Only minutes after Brixton but this city never made it on the telly
Even though Shelton is close to Brixton, it is not getting any media attention.
Or the rumble of the nations underbelly
The struggles and issues of the lower classes are being ignored.
You know you're heading for a meltdown, and you're living in a tin town
You are headed for disaster but are still living with a false sense of security and happiness.
Thinking that you're gonna be somebody, living in the land of milk and honey
You have aspirations of success and abundance, but it may not be realistic or sustainable.
Never touch that switch, even if you want to.
Do not touch the switch, even if it may seem tempting.
You don't know what it can do.
The consequences of touching the switch are unknown and potentially disastrous.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL SPENCER MOULD, KELVIN ANDREWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doriancambialvarado
Billie eilish: my videos are so weird
robbie: hold my intestines
@ce2089
This is one of the best comments I've seen 😂
@mipansususumyakakuznamnamn4313
Huh
@freddypadilla256
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@juanmad6466
Marilyn Manson: please....
@nachoross2008
never heard about Tool
@avril14thlove
This music video equally traumatized and captivated me when I watched it on MTV in 2003/2004 without my parent's permission. Iconic.
@hipsterracoon2159
I think it’s a collective trauma from seeing that moment if you know you know if you don’t know good
@notavailable4596
Lol I'm pretty sure I watched A Making The Video on this. This and Millennium were the only singles I knew he released until recently.
The video makes a lot more sense now that I know how huge he was in the UK.
@lucyhardman2267
Initially, I raised an eyebrow at this comment because I only remembered him taking his shirt off. APPARENTLY, I HAVE NEVER WATCHED TO THE END BEFORE.