Single Selection: Robbie Williams ~ Heart & I

I love a bit of Robbie Williams I do. I've raved about him many times on this blog (and its former incarnation thezapping). It's a bit of a career wrap up for Robbie at the moment, what with a fairly definitive greatest hits album called In & Out of Consciousness and his photo heavy book You Know Me (currently only available at Tesco in the UK in a deal that must have netted Robbie some dosh through an exclusivity deal - hasn't Nadine got the same sort of deal with her forthcoming album?). The book is a lavish, lush look through the past 18-19 years that Robbie has been in the public spotlight from the early days of Take That, through the early solo years, megastardom and his current standing as something of a pop legend in the UK. Each photo takes long time fans back to a bygone era, evoking memories of their own lives that have been intertwined with the music of Robbie Williams. It's quite the accomplishment, and one that Robbie should definitely be proud of. His career (at least this stage of it) has seemingly come full circle as he is now back with Take That (see above) for a new single (The Flood) and album (Progress) - and what with the book, greatest hits and TT album, it's a bumper crop this Christmas for Robbie fanatics such as myself...

Heart & I

Shame (written by both Robbie and Gary, and featuring both on vocal duties) must have been the obvious first choice for the lead off (& possibly only) single from In & Out of Consciousness. It not only has the draw of publically reuniting the bumpy, complex relationship of Gary and Robbie, but it's also an entirely radio ready John Denver inspired lovely lilting tune of regret tempered with a new found maturity and perspective on the future. Then of course there is the video. And let me preface my next statement by saying I absolutely adore Shame. It's been number one for four weeks on my chart and is bound to make a big splash in the UK when officially released on Monday. Taking all this into account, Heart & I is definitely the better first single. Still a Gary co-write, it sees Robbie take the vocal lead on his own - something he's done admirably since 1996 (Freedom not withstanding) and is much more reflective of his musical style he's perfected since that time. It initially comes across as pulsingly similar to Scissor Sisters Fire with Fire anthemic single and occupies the same soaring airspace as it progresses. I initially classed it as an uptempo tune on twitter earlier this morning, but actually has more in common with Robbie's mid-tempo successes such as Bodies, Come Undone and Love Supreme. It's definitely got a rocker's energy to it with some prominent guitar and a enduring beat that propels the song forward. Lyrically, parts of the song are a mea culpa to Robbie's own career ("i thought i'd be fixed by now") while there is still his trademark heart on sleeve nature as he passionately delivers the refrain "we don't lie, my heart and I". Ultimately it's a sumptuous, layered tune that acts as a fine closing act to the current stage of Robbie's career. It's been one hell of a ride. Let's see what's next...