ROBBIE WILLIAMS

[ROBERT M.]

David Jacobs is currently playing a lovely Bacharach/David song sung by Dione Warwick ..............no comparison really IMO

[mariana44]

i am pretty sure that paul was being serious>

[maureen & harry]

Thank you Mariana for the info on Robbie bringing a new album out in November.



Maureen

[paul jh]

Sorry Paul, I am with Robert on this. I agree that those 2 have written a couple of good songs--but nowhere near as prolific as Bacharach/David ; Rodgers/Hart : Lerner and Lowe---in fact, no comparison really.

As I sit here listening to Sarah Kennedy play the brilliant Something Beautiful, I feel my comparison to Bacharach & David is valid. B & D haven't written anything as good as Angels, Feel, The Road to Mandalay, Supreme, Let Me Entertain You, and Something Beautiful. Perhaps my comparison to Rodgers & Hart or Lerner & Lowe was be a stretch, but I feel strongly that Williams & Chambers have written the best songs of the past 15 years.

[mariana44]

I do not think that we will ever agree on this one Paul---of the songs you mentioned I only recognised 2, whereas with Bacharach and David, I could name 20, 30, 40 easily--and recognise even more.

For a 15 year period--your list of songs does not sound very extensive--maybe well known to Robbie fans.

[paul jh]

I was just listing my very favourite Williams/Chambers songs Marian. There are many others in the past 15 years, including one of your non-favourites: Millennium.

It just occurred to me that Williams/Chambers have written my favourite song of all time and Bacharach/David my second favourite. So I really do love both songwriting teams equally.

[mariana44]

Well done Paul-I knew you would see sense in the end !!

[jon]

At a quiz I attend every Tuesday the question was asked "Which pop star is to release an album called Reality Killed the Video Star?" and I foolishly answered 'Gary Numan' even though I knew I'd read somewhere it was Robbie - but couldn't remember it.

I like much of Robbie's/Guy Chambers' songs but whether they equal those of Bacharach/Hal David etc in the way Paul suggests depends on how long they stand the test of time and become standards - I suspect most of them will not.

[michduncg]

Well Robbie's new single is out now - I think its called 'Bodies' and Chris Moyle has referred to it as a 'grower', so not instantly likeable then!

I have always liked Robbie Williams - he is very charismatic and gave some great interviews on Parkinson. His early post-Take That career developed really well, especially with release of 'Millenium' from 'Ive been expecting you' album. He found success throughout Europe with 'Sing when you're winning', closely followed by 'Swing when your winning'. My favourite tracks include Angels, Rock DJ, Millenium, as well as 'What a swell party this is' and 'Me and my shadow' from the 'Swing' album

As far as the difference between Guy Chambers and Burt Bacharach, I think we that they are both good at what they do, but are aimed at different markets. I love the likes of 'Say a little prayer' and 'always something there to remind me' but do find some of the Burt Bacharach songs a bit too sacharinly sweet - including 'What the world needs now'

[Marian]

I heard "Bodies" on the car radio the other day. I thought it was quite catchy. Unfortunately the only line I remember is "Bodies in the cemetery"
Marian

[mariana44]

Yes, me too---I suppose its there, because it rhymes with something else--but not a nice subject to sing about !!

[paul jh]

Any comments on Robbie's X Factor performance? I'd rate it 4 out of 10. Too many cheesy callouts to the audience. I am basically neutral on the song, but I'm leaning towards not liking it. Really disappointed ... hope the album is better. The cover is brilliant. I read that he wrote a few songs with Don Black. Robbie said he was the nicest "legend" he's ever met.

[Marian]

I didn't like Robbie's performance either Paul, and agree with your score. He appeared very 'edgy' to me the whole time he was on stage and made me feel quite 'edgy' too.
Marian

[jon]

Only caught the tail-end of Robbie's performance and agree it looked 'edgy' and a bit uncoordinated. The press reaction has generally been lukewarm to negative, both about the performance on the show and the song itself.

[michduncg]

I saw the appearance and would agree with the comments made here and in the press. Work colleagues also noted Robbies nervous demeanour. The song has not grown on me either.

On tonights Steve Wright show, there was a report that Alexender Burkes new single has outsold Robbies 2 to 1 in the 1st week of it's release. I think Robbie needs to return to the less edgy tunes that proved so popular prior to his 'Rudebox' album.