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.
The Queen
Robbie Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yee-haa)
Queen Bitch, eat the rich
I'm on the second course today
She's done most of L.A.
Can't find a virgin, I can get you a surgeon
Twenty-four hours a day
Collagen Jeanie, you big-lipped meanie
I'm about to be blown away
Come on, sing it
Take me to the place where the sunshine flows
Oh my Sunset, Rodeo
Hot fudge, here come the judge
There's a Green Card in the way
The Holy Ghost and the whole East Coast are moving to L.A.
And we've been dreaming of this feeling since 1988
Mother, things have got to change
I'm moving to L.A.
Take a piss, always English
God bless you, Uncle Sam
You got a cool gene pool and our winter's cruel
And God knows I love to tan
Making cents and dead Presidents
Before I could count to ten
With a nation behind me, can't stop the limey
She's on her back again
Come on, sing it
Take me to the place where the sunshine flows
Oh my Sunset, Rodeo
Hot fudge, here come the judge
There's a green card in the way
The Holy Ghost and the whole East Coast are moving to L.A.
Cause we've been dreaming of this feeling since 1988
Mother things have got to change
I'm moving to L.A.
L.A.,L.A.,L.A. L.A.,L.A.,L.A. L.A.,L.A.,L.A.
Take me to the place where the sunshine flows
Oh my Sunset, Rodeo
Hot fudge, here come the judge
There's a Green Card in the way
The Holy Ghost and the whole East Coast are moving to L.A.
Cause we've been dreaming of this feeling since 1988
Mother, things have got to change
I'm moving to
Hot fudge here comes the judge
There's just a green card in the way
The Holy Ghost and the whole East Coast
Are moving to L.A.
Cause we've been dreaming
of this feeling since 1988
Mother things have got to change
I'm moving to L.A.
Moving to L.A.
Keep on movin',
keep on movin',
keep on movin' to L.A.
L.A., L.A.
Gotta move down to L.A.
Keep on movin' keep on movin' on
Keep on movin', movin' on
Keep on movin', movin' on
Keep on movin' Keep on movin' on
Keep on movin' keep on movin' keep on movin'
keep on movin' keep on movin' on
Keep on move, a move move a move a move move move move move
And stop
"The Queen" is a 1997 pop song by Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow that talks about the allure of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. The song begins with the line 'Queen Bitch, eat the rich.' The lyrics then delve into the notion that for newcomers to the city, it's all about getting famous and wealthy. The first verse says the singer is "on the second course" already, indicating he is starting to be recognized, but he is not the first nor will he be the worst, suggesting there is fierce competition in LA to become successful.
The second verse suggests that the criteria for success are based more on appearance than talent. The line "Can't find a virgin, I can get you a surgeon" suggests that people need to look perfect, and cosmetic surgery isn't uncommon. The chorus then says "take me to the place where the sunshine flows," listing various tourist destinations, like Sunset and Rodeo Drive. The bridge talks about a green card being necessary to stay. The last line in the song says "Keep on movin', movin' on" as if there is no end goal, there is only forward momentum to become successful in LA.
Line by Line Meaning
Queen Bitch, eat the rich
Addressing the Queen of England, expressing the desire to eat the rich and wealthy.
I'm on the second course today
Already received benefits from events.
I'm not the first, and I won't be the worst
Not new to the game, but not the most experienced.
She's done most of L.A.
Referring to a notorious woman who has already had romantic partners across Los Angeles.
Can't find a virgin, I can get you a surgeon
Virginity is hard to find, but a surgeon can provide virginity-like results through cosmetic surgery.
Twenty-four hours a day
Surgeons available constantly.
Collagen Jeanie, you big-lipped meanie
A person with plump lips due to collagen injections, thought to be mean.
I'm about to be blown away
Feeling overwhelmed or excited.
Take me to the place where the sunshine flows
Desire to go to a place of happiness and wealth, where the sun radiates prosperity.
Oh my Sunset, Rodeo
References a high-end shopping district in Beverly Hills, California, and the street it is located on.
There's a Green Card in the way
Legal barrier in moving to Los Angeles due to requirements for citizenship.
The Holy Ghost and the whole East Coast are moving to L.A.
Many people are making the move to Los Angeles to chase opportunities and dreams.
And we've been dreaming of this feeling since 1988
We have been longing for this success and experience for a long time.
Mother, things have got to change
Mother nature, the status quo or societal norms need to change.
Take a piss, always English
Referring to the British accent in conversations.
God bless you, Uncle Sam
Expressing gratitude to the United States government and way of life.
You got a cool gene pool and our winter's cruel
America has diverse and interesting people, but the weather can be severe and unforgiving.
And God knows I love to tan
Enjoying a sun-kissed skin tone.
Making cents and dead Presidents
Earning dollars consistently and despite the deaths of authentic personalities.
Before I could count to ten
Receiving riches at a young age, before even having the ability to count.
With a nation behind me, can't stop the limey
Having multiple supporters backing the artist, with the nationality of a limey (slang for British person).
She's on her back again
Referring to the city of Los Angeles, represented as a woman.
L.A., L.A., L.A. L.A., L.A., L.A. L.A., L.A., L.A.
Repeated use of the abbreviation for Los Angeles, California.
Gotta move down to L.A.
Must relocate to Los Angeles, California.
Keep on movin',
keep on movin',
keep on movin' to L.A.
Repetitive emphasis that one must move to Los Angeles, California.
And stop
Sudden conclusion and ceasing of action or thought.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francesco Bignardi
When you hear other professional singers singing Queen's hits, you realize that these songs are way more difficult than you ever think.
Tomate
@Val MacClinchy well ,as I said ,Adam is more consistent than Freddie was (because he drank and smoked and didn’t give a shit) and still he couldn’t nail every song in original key (which he proofed because there is at least one recording of every song in which he did it like the studio ,only exception is Who wants to live forever,and even he could have even pulled this song of ,if they just would have paused touring .And what do you expect Brian to say on a conference ,for sure he is praising Adam like hell ,you just can’t compare Adam Lambert to Freddie Mercury,one is considered a musical genius with the greatest voice ,and the other a great vocalist,probably one of the greatest of this time ,but that’s it (still that’s a huge accomplishment)
Val MacClinchy
@Tomate I adore Freddie. So does Adam. But even Brian May said that Adam can sing their songs in concert in the original key, which Freddie wasn't always able to do. Adam doesn't struggle with any notes. You are literally the only person saying that..The sound of Freddie's voice was unique, indeed. No one can compare to the sound he had, and no one is trying to deny that unique quality. It's also amazing Freddie never had vocal lessons. He's a legend.
Tomate
@Val MacClinchy that’s why it’s called queen + Adam Lambert ,also yes he does ,he often avoids the high note in machine where he has to do it with power ,also there are queen songs who they don’t even do try because there is not a chance that Adam would pull them off ,Adam has a great range ,good stamina and is a more consistent live singer than Freddie Mercury,but his voice (the timbre ) is no where near Freddie’s ,freddies voice was pure gold ,no voice can be compared to his
Val MacClinchy
@Tomate Adam has toured the world with Queen as lead vocalist for 7 years (it would have been 8 but in 2020 the pandemic prevented it). He's no guest. Roger and Brian adore him. As do millions of fans. And I've experienced them live in concert. Adam doesn't struggle with anything vocally. I've also seen him tour as a solo artist. I've seen him perform for 2 hours flawlessly. Like Brian has said "one in a billion" voice.
Val MacClinchy
@CKO 100 correct. Adam sings in chest voice when other singers have to use head voice.
Sonia Vela Valdasquín
Al menos lo hizo, no todo el mundo se atreve a cantar esto y mucho menos viniendo de Freddie, por algo se llaman tributos, porque desgraciadamente ya no están aquí, se agradecen mucho estos homenajes porque hacen que no nos olvidemos nunca de ellos ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
cilene Jacinto
Não se trata de ser melhor ou pior, cada cantor tem a sua peculiaridade. Isto foi uma linda homenagem, eu amei! Parabéns Robbie!👌💪🇧🇷
RaccoonMoustache
He sings it with a huge respect to Freddie and with all his heart, that’s the most important. Great cover, great tribute to Freddie and Queen
Julio César
Robbie has a great voice, but with this video you can realize Freddie had THE VOICE.