After more than three decades in entertainment, Robbie Williams is back on the road and ready to celebrate. His new album, Britpop, marks his 16th number one, breaking the previous record set by the Beatles. The singer, whose Long 90s tour begins this week, is taking a moment to mark his achievement, stating, I think as British people we're very good at piercing the balloon of our own success and undercutting it and devaluing ourselves.
Williams emphasized that while this self-deprecation is a part of British culture, he aims to embrace his success with this new project: I really want to let it sink in and really want to stand in the middle of it and go, 'OK, success, do your thing to me.' The tour will revisit smaller venues reminiscent of the start of his solo journey.
Looking back on his career, he expressed that Britpop is the album he always wanted to create since leaving Take That. Collaborations on the album include former bandmate Gary Barlow and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. Despite the momentous achievements, Williams feels bittersweet about the Britpop era, recalling a time of personal struggles amid professional successes.
“I was going through my own mental illness and anything good happening... I couldn't experience joy from any of it,” he revealed. Reflecting on the 90s, he remarked it was a vibrant period but one that was often shadowed by his depression.
Now, with the arrival of his daughter in 2012 and a more stable life in the UK, Williams feels he is in a better place: The world started to make sense because I'd been running away from responsibility... I started to realize I've got the best job in the world.
He also discussed his thoughts on social media's impact, expressing relief that he did not have to contend with it during the peak of his early fame, suggesting it could have overwhelmed him.
When asked about a potential reunion with Take That, he expressed his love for the group and the recent documentary about their journey: I absolutely loved it and had an overwhelming feeling of how much I love the boys.
As he prepares to embark on his tour, Williams has ambitious plans for the future, including building hotels with venues for performances and creating a university focused on entertainment. I'd like to revolutionize education, he shared.
Britpop by Robbie Williams is out now. The Long 90s tour began earlier this week.
Williams emphasized that while this self-deprecation is a part of British culture, he aims to embrace his success with this new project: I really want to let it sink in and really want to stand in the middle of it and go, 'OK, success, do your thing to me.' The tour will revisit smaller venues reminiscent of the start of his solo journey.
Looking back on his career, he expressed that Britpop is the album he always wanted to create since leaving Take That. Collaborations on the album include former bandmate Gary Barlow and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. Despite the momentous achievements, Williams feels bittersweet about the Britpop era, recalling a time of personal struggles amid professional successes.
“I was going through my own mental illness and anything good happening... I couldn't experience joy from any of it,” he revealed. Reflecting on the 90s, he remarked it was a vibrant period but one that was often shadowed by his depression.
Now, with the arrival of his daughter in 2012 and a more stable life in the UK, Williams feels he is in a better place: The world started to make sense because I'd been running away from responsibility... I started to realize I've got the best job in the world.
He also discussed his thoughts on social media's impact, expressing relief that he did not have to contend with it during the peak of his early fame, suggesting it could have overwhelmed him.
When asked about a potential reunion with Take That, he expressed his love for the group and the recent documentary about their journey: I absolutely loved it and had an overwhelming feeling of how much I love the boys.
As he prepares to embark on his tour, Williams has ambitious plans for the future, including building hotels with venues for performances and creating a university focused on entertainment. I'd like to revolutionize education, he shared.
Britpop by Robbie Williams is out now. The Long 90s tour began earlier this week.
