"Bodies" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Robbie Williams | ||||
from the album Reality Killed the Video Star | ||||
Released | 12 October 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2008–2009 (London, United Kingdom) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Trevor Horn | |||
Robbie Williams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Bodies" on YouTube |
"Bodies" is a song by English recording artist Robbie Williams. It was released on 12 October 2009 by EMI as the lead single from his eighth studio album Reality Killed the Video Star (2009). It received its premiere on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 after an interview with Williams on 4 September 2009 at 8 am. [1] It is Williams' first single release as a solo artist since "She's Madonna" in March 2007. [2]
Producer Trevor Horn told Simon Mayo (who filled in for Chris Evans for an episode of his BBC radio show in October 2009) that the song’s trademark swooping bass riff was inspired by the song “Stay Where You Are”, which appeared on the album Faded Seaside Glamour by British indie band Delays. [3]
"Bodies" entered and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, selling 89,000 copies in its first week and attaining his best first-week sales since "Rock DJ" in August 2000. [4] Williams was beaten to number 1 by Alexandra Burke, whose single "Bad Boys" (featuring rapper Flo Rida) was released on the same day and sold 187,000 in the same week. [5] The cover art was photographed by Julian Broad.
The song's cryptic lyrics, with a wide variety of religious references included, have been subject to a lot of speculation. In an October 2010 interview with Q magazine, Williams referred to the lyrics as "fucking gibberish" that he considered pointless. He also stated that "Who knows what I was going on about? I was fucking stoned." [6]
The music video for "Bodies" was filmed in the Mojave Desert, directed by Williams' frequent collaborator Vaughan Arnell and features Williams' then girlfriend, and eventual wife (married 2010), Ayda Field. It had its official premiere on 9 September 2009.
Popjustice called the song "a confident, dignified comeback single with a big chorus" commenting that the song is "better than: 'Let Me Entertain You' , as good as: 'Rock DJ', not as good as: 'Feel'." and adding that: "'Bodies' is not a comeback single that takes many chances – it is, career wise, Robbie's most important single since 'Angels' and there's obviously a certain amount of brand rebuilding needed. But nor is it a comeback single that attempts to pretend the last three years haven't happened. [...] 'Bodies' sounds like Robbie and Trevor Horn bringing out the best in each other – in this case 'the best' equalling a big comeback single from Britain's best male popstar." [7]
Digital Spy gave the single four stars (out of five) and said that: "With an Ian Brown-esque funky strut, some monkish chanting and plenty of electro squelches, he hasn't completely ditched the not-so-successful experimentation of his last LP, but this time around he counterbalances it with a whopping great chorus that will have even Gary Barlow green with envy. [...] Packed full of his usual raised eyebrow cheekiness and with a barmy-but-bloody-massive bridge, we're still not entirely sure what the Robster's actually singing about. However, by the time he's launched into the choir-backed crescendo, on which he hollers like a hyperactive preacher, we're too sold to care. Welcome back Robbie – and don't leave it so long next time." [8]
At a Southend gig in September 2012, Robbie commented that "Bodies" and "Rudebox" were both "lame songs" and that he had "let himself down". However, after fans spoke up against his claims via YouTube comments, he added the song to the setlist for his stadium tour for the following album.[ citation needed ]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [48] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Germany (BVMI) [49] | Gold | 150,000^ |
Italy (FIMI) [50] | Platinum | 20,000* |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [51] | Platinum | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [52] | Silver | 250,000 [53] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Release date | Format | Label(s) |
---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 4 September 2009 | Airplay | |
Australia | 9 October 2009 | CD single | |
Germany [54] | |||
Austria | |||
Switzerland | |||
United Kingdom | 11 October 2009 | Digital download |
|
France [55] | 12 October 2009 | CD single | |
United Kingdom | |||
Mexico [56] | 13 October 2009 | Digital download | EMI |
"Tripping" is a song by British singer Robbie Williams from his sixth studio album Intensive Care (2005). The single was released as the album's lead single on 3 October 2005 through Chrysalis Records. Backed with the track "Make Me Pure", also from the same album, it was sent to radio stations around the world.
"Radio" is a song by British pop singer Robbie Williams, co-written by Williams and Stephen Duffy. It was the first single from Williams' compilation album Greatest Hits, released in 2004. Williams wrote the song's distinctive synth-pop melody by attempting to play Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F" on an electronic keyboard, from memory. "Radio" is Williams's first solo outing without the involvement of long-time producer and co-writer Guy Chambers, and is particularly notable as Williams's last UK number-one for eight years, until 2012's "Candy".
"Feel" is a song by British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. It was released on 2 December 2002 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Escapology (2002). The song became an international hit, peaking at number one in the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Romania and reaching the top five in several other countries, including Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
"Lovelight" is a song written and originally performed by Lewis Taylor for his 2002 album, Stoned, Part I. In 2006, the song was covered by British singer Robbie Williams. His version was produced by Mark Ronson and was released as the second single from his seventh solo album, Rudebox, on 13 November 2006. Williams' version reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit in five other European countries.
"Patience" is a song by British boy band Take That. It was released on 13 November 2006 as the first single from their comeback album, Beautiful World. The single peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart, and also topped the charts in Germany, Spain and Switzerland, as well as peaking in the top ten of the charts in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Austria and Sweden.
"Shine" is the second single taken from English pop group Take That's comeback album, Beautiful World (2006). It became Take That's sixth consecutive number one single and their tenth number-one overall, making them one of only seven acts in the history of the UK charts to have more than nine number one hits. The song is about former Take That member Robbie Williams' battle with depression.
"Meet Me Halfway" is the third single from the Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album, The E.N.D. It is a dance-pop song that combines futuristic electro hop beats with vintage 1980s pop stylings. Released in September 2009, the song peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts of Australia, Germany, Romania, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, "Meet Me Halfway" became the 10th-biggest-selling single of 2009.
"More" is a song by American singer Usher, taken from the deluxe edition of his sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond (2010). It was written by Charles Hinshaw, Usher, and RedOne, with the latter also producing the song.
"Ridin' Solo" is the third single from Jason Derulo's self-titled debut album, produced by J.R. Rotem. The demo originally sampled "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by the Verve, but the sample was not cleared and was subsequently replaced with electronic motifs which are featured throughout the entire song.
"Dynamite" is a song by British singer and songwriter Taio Cruz from the revised version of his second studio album, Rokstarr (2010). Cruz co-wrote the song, along with Max Martin, Bonnie McKee, Benny Blanco, and Dr. Luke; the latter two are also the producers. The song features additional instrumentation by Cruz himself. It was released internationally as the fourth single from Rokstarr. In the UK, the song was released as the first single from Cruz's compilation album, The Rokstarr Collection (2010). On 30 May 2010, it was released to US and Canadian radio stations as his second single and across Europe as his fourth single. An official remix was released featuring new label mate, Jennifer Lopez.
"The Flood" is a song by British pop group Take That from their sixth studio album, Progress (2010). It was released as the lead single in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2010. The song is the first to feature Robbie Williams since his return to the band in July 2010, and features both Williams and Gary Barlow on lead vocals.
"Take Over Control" is a song by Dutch producer and DJ Afrojack, featuring vocals from Dutch singer Eva Simons. The song was written by Afrojack, Mike Hamilton, Simons and Ingrid Simons. It was released as a single in the Netherlands on 12 August 2010. The song was a number-one single for six weeks on Billboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay. The song is also Afrojack's first single ever to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 41.
"Save the World" is a song by Swedish house music supergroup Swedish House Mafia. The song features uncredited vocals from Swedish singer John Martin, who co-wrote the song with Axwell, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, Michel Zitron and Vincent Pontare. It was released on 13 May 2011 as a digital download, and it premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 22 April 2011 by Pete Tong. The song debuted in the UK single chart at No. 11, and reached No. 10. Jon Watts directed the video, which features dogs as superheroes. The song peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs in the United States, becoming the group's second consecutive number-one single following "Miami 2 Ibiza" (2010). On 30 November 2011 the song received a nomination in 54th Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording. The song has sold over 463,000 copies in the US. Save the World was well-received from music critics. The song is written in the key of C major.
"Back in Time" is a song by the American rapper Pitbull. While originally released as the lead single from the soundtrack of sci-fi film Men in Black 3, it is not featured on the album. Instead, it was released as the lead single from Pitbull's seventh studio album, Global Warming. The single was released via download on March 27, 2012, before being issued physically in Germany on May 25.
"She Wolf (Falling to Pieces)" is a song by French DJ and music producer David Guetta, featuring vocals from Australian singer Sia. It was released as the lead single from the re-release of Nothing But the Beat, Nothing But the Beat 2.0 and tallies as the album's eighth single overall. It was released via digital download on August 21, 2012.
"Candy" is a song by English pop singer Robbie Williams, released on 11 September 2012 as the lead single from his ninth studio album Take the Crown. It was written by Williams and Gary Barlow, interpolating a riff from "Eurodans" by Terje Olsen. The song was Williams's first UK number-one single since "Radio" in 2004, and was deliberately produced in the style of other 2012 chart-toppers in a calculated attempt to re-establish his presence in the UK charts.
"Summer" is a song by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, released on 14 March 2014 as the second single from his fourth studio album, Motion (2014). Like his earlier single "Feel So Close" and his later single "My Way", Harris returns as a vocalist on "Summer". The accompanying music video was directed by Emil Nava and premiered on 6 April 2014.
"Tuesday" is the debut single by American rapper ILoveMakonnen, released on September 1, 2014. The song, which was produced by frequent collaborators Sonny Digital and Metro Boomin, originally mixed by Justin Childs, and features guest vocals by Ousala Aleem and from Canadian rapper Drake, was released as the first single from his debut extended play (EP), ILoveMakonnen (2014). On March 4, 2015, "Tuesday" was certified platinum by the RIAA, with over 1 million sales. There is also an unofficial freestyle to Tuesday by American rapper Fetty Wap and The Remy Boyz released October 14, 2014
"The Days" is a song by Swedish DJ and record producer Avicii, with vocals by English singer Robbie Williams. The song was written by Brandon Flowers, Robbie Williams, Salem Al Fakir, Avicii, and Vincent Pontare, and was produced by Avicii, Fakir and Pontare. The song was played for the first time in Las Vegas, with uncredited vocals by Fakir and Pontare. The song was released worldwide on 3 October 2014. It was released alongside "The Nights" in The Days / Nights EP. A planned release in the United Kingdom on 23 November 2014 was cancelled.
"Outside" is a song by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris, featuring English singer Ellie Goulding, from Harris's fourth studio album, Motion (2014). It was released on 20 October 2014 as the album's fourth single. The song also appears on the deluxe edition of Goulding's third studio album, Delirium (2015). "Outside" marks the second collaboration between Harris and Goulding, following the single "I Need Your Love" (2013).