Post by Triple J on May 9, 2004 16:09:47 GMT -5
Robbie Williams - The Ego Has Landed
British artist Robbie Williams started out in 1990 as a member of the boy-band "Take That." In '95, he reportedly was fired from the group, then recorded a pair of solo albums: "Life Thru A Lens" in '97, and "I've Been Expecting You" in '98. He soon achieved super stardom all around the globe... except for the United States. So in '99, Capitol Records put together several songs from the 2 albums and released "The Ego Has Landed," exclusively to the States, supposedly to break through, but it had mediocre sales. He did however charm a lot of listeners here. I'm one of them. I first saw him on VH-1 at the "NetAid" concert in '99. The songs from his set were very cool, and I was impressed with his sense of humor and stage presence. So I picked up this CD, and after the first play, I was a fan for life! Every track is a keeper. If you've never heard of this guy, you're really missing out on some awesome stuff. His follow up albums "Sing When You're Winning" and "Escapology" are also some faves of mine. Maybe I'll give them their own separate reviews later, but for now, here's the track list for "Ego..."
1. Lazy Days - Loud guitars kick off the first song, really hooks you in. Robbie invites you to escape the mundane and have some fun!
Lazy days, calling to you... come out to play, the future lies with you... now you can be sure, love is the cure, what we're searching for, is to have... a jolly good time!
2. Millennium - Borrows the riff from Nancy Sinatra's "You Only Live Twice," and gives it a funky beat. One of his biggest hits overseas.
Run around in circles, live a life of solitude, 'til we find ourselves a partner, someone to relate to, then we'll slow down... before we fall down
3. No Regrets - Song about an estranged relationship, but has a good dance beat. Guest backing vocals by Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys.
No regrets... they don't work... no regrets now... they only hurt... sing me a love song... drop me a line... suppose it's just a point of view, but they tell me I'm doin' fine
4. Strong - Catchy, changes the flow from dance to more of a rock tune. I like the cheeky lyrics.
Early morning when I wake up, I look like Kiss but without the make-up, and that's a good line to take it to the bridge... and you know and you know, 'cause my life's a mess... and I'm trying to grow, so before I'm old I confess, you... think that I'm strong, you're wrong, you're wrong... I'll sing my song, my song, my song
5. Angels - Very powerful ballad. Was a HUGE hit in the UK. Recently been "butchered" by Jessica Simpson.
And through it all, she offers me protection, a lot of love and affection, whether I'm right or wrong... and down the waterfall, wherever it may take me, I know that life won't break me, when I come to call... she won't forsake me... I'm loving angels instead
6. Win Some Lose Some - Back to a rock style. Cool guitars on this one.
She touched my face and called me her lover, I never thought that I'd need another... your cool... suburban sun... you're fooling everyone, you win some... you lose some
7. Let Me Entertain You - Man does this one rock! Another overseas hit. He usually opens his concerts with it.
Your mind gets burned with the habits you've learned, but we're the generation that's gotta be heard, you're tired of your teachers and your school's a drag, you're not gonna end up like your mum and dad, so come on let me... entertain you!
8. Jesus In A Camper Van - This turned out to be a controversial song, more on that later. Robbie got the idea for it when he saw a man driving a Volkswagen camper, and he had hair that looked like Jesus.
Jesus in a camper van, he said "sorry to leave you but I done all I can," I suppose even the son of God gets it hard sometimes, especially when he goes around... saying "I am the way"
In 2000, Robbie lost a lawsuit to Ludlow Music over a copyright infringement that the above lyric was too similar to the song "I Am The Way" by Loudon Wainwright III. Wainwright actually gave permission to Williams to use the line... unfortunately, Wainwright did not own the rights to the song, Ludlow does. So the CD was reissued with an alternate track replacing this one, the ballad "Phoenix From The Flames." I prefer "Camper Van" myself.
9. Old Before I Die - My fave track, a real rocker! Song is almost like an answer to the line "Hope I die before I get old" from the Who's "My Generation."
I hope I'm old... before I die... I hope I live to relive the days gone by... I hope I'm old... before I die... well tonight I'm gonna live for today so come along for the ride... I hope I'm old before I die!
10. Killing Me - A more melancholy track, seems to me that this is about him growing tired of arguing with his girl.
They all say... I'm too restless... but words cut deep... when you're defenseless, and they're killing me... killing me slowly... there was a time when we were fine, and I could tolerate you... I do believe that you should leave, 'cause I've grown to hate you
11. Man Machine - Time to ROCK again! Another of my faves. Great guitar on this.
Sitting in the cheap seats, underneath the stars... I'm heading back to base, I'll drop you off at Mars... I'm sure I know your face, or what star you're from... I try to make conversation but I'm too far gone... 'cause I'm a man machine... drinking gasoline... a superhuman being... shootin' laser beams
12. She's The One - GREAT ballad! This was actually the first Robbie song I heard, while I was in a supermarket. I didn't know who it was, but I liked it a lot. So months later when I played "Ego" for the first time, and this song came on, I was like... "ALLLLLLLLLL RIIIIIIIIIGHT!"
I was her... she was me... we were one... we were free... and if there's somebody calling me on... she's the one
13. Karma Killer - This is what I'd call a "cynical rocker." Dark lyrics to an awesome beat. Robbie wrote it about his ex-manager from Take That.
Needless to say... I guess you know I hate you... you're so full of sin... even the devil rates you... I hope you choke, on your Bacardi and Coke... How do you breathe? Why don't you cry? How come you never ask me why? You're not a man, stand and deliver... karma killer
14. One Of God's Better People - A quiet acoustic finale. Very pretty.
You're one of God's... better people... and you don't know... that's why you're special... it must hurt to see your favorite man... lose himself again and again... and I know that you're my only friend... from way back when
After the song, there's 10 minutes of silence, then Robbie reads a poem, written for a schoolteacher who tried to discourage him from becoming a singer.
Hello sir, remember me?
I'm the man you thought I'd never be
The boy who you reduced to tears
The lad called "Thingy" for 6 whole years
Yeah that's right, my name's Bob
The one who landed the pop star's job
The one who you told "look, don't touch"
The kid who wouldn't amount to much
Well, I'm here, and you're still there
With your fake sportscar and receding hair
Dodgy Farah trousers that you think are smart
Married to the woman that teaches art
Married to the life, married to the school
I want to sing and dance, sir. Now who's the fool?
Sing and dance? You thought I was barmy
"Settle down, Thingy, join the army"
And who are you to tell me this?
The dream I want I'll have to miss
Sir is God, he's been given the right
To structure lives overnight
Now I know life's true path
Tanks and guns, that'll be a laugh
No, not me. I'm a mega civilian.
I won't lead my life riding pillion
But thanks for the advice and I'm sure it'll do
For the negative dickheads just like you
As for now, I've a different weapon
Stage and screen is about to beckon
And here I sit in first class
Bollocks sir, kiss my ass
Please add your thoughts.
British artist Robbie Williams started out in 1990 as a member of the boy-band "Take That." In '95, he reportedly was fired from the group, then recorded a pair of solo albums: "Life Thru A Lens" in '97, and "I've Been Expecting You" in '98. He soon achieved super stardom all around the globe... except for the United States. So in '99, Capitol Records put together several songs from the 2 albums and released "The Ego Has Landed," exclusively to the States, supposedly to break through, but it had mediocre sales. He did however charm a lot of listeners here. I'm one of them. I first saw him on VH-1 at the "NetAid" concert in '99. The songs from his set were very cool, and I was impressed with his sense of humor and stage presence. So I picked up this CD, and after the first play, I was a fan for life! Every track is a keeper. If you've never heard of this guy, you're really missing out on some awesome stuff. His follow up albums "Sing When You're Winning" and "Escapology" are also some faves of mine. Maybe I'll give them their own separate reviews later, but for now, here's the track list for "Ego..."
1. Lazy Days - Loud guitars kick off the first song, really hooks you in. Robbie invites you to escape the mundane and have some fun!
Lazy days, calling to you... come out to play, the future lies with you... now you can be sure, love is the cure, what we're searching for, is to have... a jolly good time!
2. Millennium - Borrows the riff from Nancy Sinatra's "You Only Live Twice," and gives it a funky beat. One of his biggest hits overseas.
Run around in circles, live a life of solitude, 'til we find ourselves a partner, someone to relate to, then we'll slow down... before we fall down
3. No Regrets - Song about an estranged relationship, but has a good dance beat. Guest backing vocals by Neil Tennant from Pet Shop Boys.
No regrets... they don't work... no regrets now... they only hurt... sing me a love song... drop me a line... suppose it's just a point of view, but they tell me I'm doin' fine
4. Strong - Catchy, changes the flow from dance to more of a rock tune. I like the cheeky lyrics.
Early morning when I wake up, I look like Kiss but without the make-up, and that's a good line to take it to the bridge... and you know and you know, 'cause my life's a mess... and I'm trying to grow, so before I'm old I confess, you... think that I'm strong, you're wrong, you're wrong... I'll sing my song, my song, my song
5. Angels - Very powerful ballad. Was a HUGE hit in the UK. Recently been "butchered" by Jessica Simpson.
And through it all, she offers me protection, a lot of love and affection, whether I'm right or wrong... and down the waterfall, wherever it may take me, I know that life won't break me, when I come to call... she won't forsake me... I'm loving angels instead
6. Win Some Lose Some - Back to a rock style. Cool guitars on this one.
She touched my face and called me her lover, I never thought that I'd need another... your cool... suburban sun... you're fooling everyone, you win some... you lose some
7. Let Me Entertain You - Man does this one rock! Another overseas hit. He usually opens his concerts with it.
Your mind gets burned with the habits you've learned, but we're the generation that's gotta be heard, you're tired of your teachers and your school's a drag, you're not gonna end up like your mum and dad, so come on let me... entertain you!
8. Jesus In A Camper Van - This turned out to be a controversial song, more on that later. Robbie got the idea for it when he saw a man driving a Volkswagen camper, and he had hair that looked like Jesus.
Jesus in a camper van, he said "sorry to leave you but I done all I can," I suppose even the son of God gets it hard sometimes, especially when he goes around... saying "I am the way"
In 2000, Robbie lost a lawsuit to Ludlow Music over a copyright infringement that the above lyric was too similar to the song "I Am The Way" by Loudon Wainwright III. Wainwright actually gave permission to Williams to use the line... unfortunately, Wainwright did not own the rights to the song, Ludlow does. So the CD was reissued with an alternate track replacing this one, the ballad "Phoenix From The Flames." I prefer "Camper Van" myself.
9. Old Before I Die - My fave track, a real rocker! Song is almost like an answer to the line "Hope I die before I get old" from the Who's "My Generation."
I hope I'm old... before I die... I hope I live to relive the days gone by... I hope I'm old... before I die... well tonight I'm gonna live for today so come along for the ride... I hope I'm old before I die!
10. Killing Me - A more melancholy track, seems to me that this is about him growing tired of arguing with his girl.
They all say... I'm too restless... but words cut deep... when you're defenseless, and they're killing me... killing me slowly... there was a time when we were fine, and I could tolerate you... I do believe that you should leave, 'cause I've grown to hate you
11. Man Machine - Time to ROCK again! Another of my faves. Great guitar on this.
Sitting in the cheap seats, underneath the stars... I'm heading back to base, I'll drop you off at Mars... I'm sure I know your face, or what star you're from... I try to make conversation but I'm too far gone... 'cause I'm a man machine... drinking gasoline... a superhuman being... shootin' laser beams
12. She's The One - GREAT ballad! This was actually the first Robbie song I heard, while I was in a supermarket. I didn't know who it was, but I liked it a lot. So months later when I played "Ego" for the first time, and this song came on, I was like... "ALLLLLLLLLL RIIIIIIIIIGHT!"
I was her... she was me... we were one... we were free... and if there's somebody calling me on... she's the one
13. Karma Killer - This is what I'd call a "cynical rocker." Dark lyrics to an awesome beat. Robbie wrote it about his ex-manager from Take That.
Needless to say... I guess you know I hate you... you're so full of sin... even the devil rates you... I hope you choke, on your Bacardi and Coke... How do you breathe? Why don't you cry? How come you never ask me why? You're not a man, stand and deliver... karma killer
14. One Of God's Better People - A quiet acoustic finale. Very pretty.
You're one of God's... better people... and you don't know... that's why you're special... it must hurt to see your favorite man... lose himself again and again... and I know that you're my only friend... from way back when
After the song, there's 10 minutes of silence, then Robbie reads a poem, written for a schoolteacher who tried to discourage him from becoming a singer.
Hello sir, remember me?
I'm the man you thought I'd never be
The boy who you reduced to tears
The lad called "Thingy" for 6 whole years
Yeah that's right, my name's Bob
The one who landed the pop star's job
The one who you told "look, don't touch"
The kid who wouldn't amount to much
Well, I'm here, and you're still there
With your fake sportscar and receding hair
Dodgy Farah trousers that you think are smart
Married to the woman that teaches art
Married to the life, married to the school
I want to sing and dance, sir. Now who's the fool?
Sing and dance? You thought I was barmy
"Settle down, Thingy, join the army"
And who are you to tell me this?
The dream I want I'll have to miss
Sir is God, he's been given the right
To structure lives overnight
Now I know life's true path
Tanks and guns, that'll be a laugh
No, not me. I'm a mega civilian.
I won't lead my life riding pillion
But thanks for the advice and I'm sure it'll do
For the negative dickheads just like you
As for now, I've a different weapon
Stage and screen is about to beckon
And here I sit in first class
Bollocks sir, kiss my ass
Please add your thoughts.
He's very arrogant, he doesn't like reporters... He had a public feud with Liam Gallagher from Oasis some years ago. Then there was that really gross video for "Rock DJ," from "Sing When You're Winning," that one was awful. I think a lot of Americans have only seen his "bad boy" image and are turned off by it. But he's not all bad. In fact, he said that he's not bothered that he hasn't hit it big here. He has a home in Los Angeles, and he likes to be able to walk down the street without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi.