Morning Sun (Robbie Williams song)

Last updated

"Morning Sun"
Morning Sun (Robbie Williams single - cover art).jpg
Single by Robbie Williams
from the album Reality Killed the Video Star
B-side "Elastik" [1]
Released8 March 2010 [2]
RecordedJune 2009
London, United Kingdom
Genre Pop rock
Length4:06(Album Version)
3:50 (Radio Edit)
3:55 (Music Video)
Label EMI
Songwriter(s) Robbie Williams, Don Black, Kelvin Andrews, Daniel Spencer, Richard Scott, Scott Ralph
Producer(s) Trevor Horn
Robbie Williams singles chronology
"You Know Me"
(2009)		"Morning Sun"
(2010)		"Shame"
(2010)
Music video
"Morning Sun" on YouTube

"Morning Sun" is the third and final official single from British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams' eighth studio album, Reality Killed the Video Star . It was released on 8 March 2010, and it is the official charity single for Sport Relief 2010. [3] Written around the time of pop star Michael Jackson's death, the song was originally meant to be a tribute to the late star, co-written by Don Black who wrote Jackson's 1972 song "Ben". However, Williams' later commented that it was more about himself. The phrase "morning sun" has a connection to Jackson; used as a lyric both in The Jackson 5 1970 song, "Can I See You in the Morning?" and "Baby Be Mine" from the album Thriller (1982).

Contents

Background and composition

"Morning Sun" was initially penned for Williams by Richard Scott and Scott Ralph, Williams tried to re-write some of the lyrics to fit towards a perspective of his own interpretation. The Death of Michael Jackson helped Williams overcome writer's block. [4] According to Chris Heath's 2017 Williams biography, Reveal: Robbie Williams, the song was inspired by an affinity Williams had with Jackson and prescription drugs: "[That] hit me", Williams stated: "And how close I must have come to being in the same place. And that scared me". [5]

Music video

The music video for the single was directed by Vaughan Arnell and filmed at Universal Studios Hollywood. [6] It shows Williams as an astronaut on a mission in the International Space Station.

Critical reception

UK website Digital Spy gave the song three stars out of five and commented that: "[Morning Sun] is a bit like something from mid-'90s Britpoppers Electrasy – a straightforward trad-rock song complete with metronomic piano chords, swooning strings and the rest. Two minutes in, it gets close enough to 'I Am the Walrus' for George Martin to consider giving his lawyer a bell. Sure, it's the most adventurous release of Williams's career, but it's pleasant to its bones and the lyrics have just enough about them to avoid the trap of self-regarding introspection that marred the likes of 'Strong' and 'Come Undone' in the past." [7]

Promotion

Williams performed the song on 23 January 2010 at the NRJ Music Awards where he also received two awards for International Male Artist of the Year and the NRJ Award of Honour. [8] "Morning Sun" was performed on 13 February 2010 (Williams' 36th birthday) on the UK TV show So You Think You Can Dance . [9] The song was also performed as part of a greatest hits medley at the 2010 Brit Awards where Williams won the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award on 16 February. [10] "Morning Sun" was performed by Williams at the 2010 Echo Awards in Berlin on 4 March, where he won the award for Best International Male Artist. [11] He performed the single yet again on appeal night for Sport Relief 2010.

Track listing

International CD single
  1. "Morning Sun" (radio edit) – 3:50
  2. "Elastik" – 4:37
Digital EP
  1. "Morning Sun" (album version) – 4:03
  2. "Morning Sun" (Live from BBC Electric Proms ) – 3:57
  3. "Elastik" – 4:37

Chart performance

Chart (2010)Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [12] 57
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [13] 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [14] 27
CIS Airplay (TopHit) [15] 117
Europe (European Hit Radio) [16] 10
Germany (Gfk) [17] 32
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [18] 75
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 45

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Williams</span> English pop singer (born 1974)

Robert Peter Williams is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, launching a solo career in 1996. His debut studio album, Life thru a Lens, was released in 1997, and included his best-selling single "Angels". His second album, I've Been Expecting You, featured the songs "Millennium" and "She's the One", his first and second number one singles. His discography includes seven UK No. 1 singles, and all but one of his 14 studio albums have reached No. 1 in the UK. Six of his albums are among the top 100 biggest-selling albums in the UK, with two of them in the top 60, and he gained a Guinness World Record in 2006 for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day during his Close Encounters Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brit Awards</span> British popular music awards

The BRIT Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual popular music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain", or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trusts Show. The awards were first held in 1977 and originated as an annual event in 1982 under the auspices of the British record industry's trade association, the BPI. In 1989, they were renamed The BRIT Awards. Mastercard has been the long-term sponsor of the event. In addition, an equivalent awards ceremony for classical music, called the Classic BRIT Awards, was held annually between 2000 and 2013, before being revived in 2018 but has not been held since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take That</span> English pop group

Take That are an English pop group formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen. The original line-up also featured Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. Barlow is the group's lead singer and primary songwriter, with Owen and Williams initially providing backing vocals, and Donald and Orange serving primarily as dancers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Barlow</span> British musician and songwriter (born 1971)

Gary Barlow is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He is the lead singer of the pop group Take That.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock DJ</span> 2000 single by Robbie Williams

"Rock DJ" is a song by English singer and songwriter Robbie Williams, featured on his third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000). The song was released on 31 July 2000 as the lead single from the album. It samples Barry White's song "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me", "Can I Kick It?" by A Tribe Called Quest and has a quote from "La Di Da Di" by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh.

This article gives details on 2004 in music in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angels (Robbie Williams song)</span> 1997 single

"Angels" is a song by the English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. It was included on Williams's debut solo album, Life thru a Lens (1997), and released as a single on 1 December 1997 by Chrysalis. It was produced by Guy Chambers and Steve Power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strong (Robbie Williams song)</span> 1999 single by Robbie Williams

"Strong" is a song by English recording artist Robbie Williams. It was released on 15 March 1999 as the third single from his second studio album, I've Been Expecting You (1998). The song managed to break into the top five in the United Kingdom. The B-side is the live version of "Let Me Entertain You" recorded at the 1999 Brit Awards, the performance was included on the single in the enhanced section.

dom&nic is the working name of directors Nic Goffey and Dominic Hawley. They have been directing music videos and commercials since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feedback (Janet Jackson song)</span> 2007 single by Janet Jackson

"Feedback" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her 10th studio album, Discipline (2008). It was written and produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and D'Mile, with additional writing from Tasleema Yasin and LaShawn Daniels. "Feedback" fuses electropop and dance, while also incorporating elements of Eurodance and hip hop. Its lyrical composition is based on Jackson's sexual bravado; questioning the listener while responding with a chant of "sexy, sexy". Its chorus compares her body to instruments such as a guitar and amplifier, using metaphors to demonstrate sexual climax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better in Time</span> 2008 song by Leona Lewis

"Better in Time" is a song recorded by English singer Leona Lewis for her debut studio album Spirit (2007). It was written by J. R. Rotem and Andrea Martin and was produced by Rotem. Lyrically, the song tells the story of a woman who cannot forget her ex-partner, and who knows that "it will all get better in time". It was released as the second single from Spirit on 10 March 2008, as a double A-side with "Footprints in the Sand", by Syco Music and J Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Stevens</span> English singer and actress

Rachel Lauren Stevens is an English singer and actress. She has been a member of the pop group S Club, which was active from 1998 to 2003, and has reformed once again since 2023. She released her solo debut studio album Funky Dory in September 2003. The album reached number nine on the UK album chart and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded it with a gold certification in October 2003. Two singles, "Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex" and "Funky Dory", were initially released from the album: "Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex" peaked at number two in the UK and received a silver certification from the BPI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JLS</span> English R&B boy band formed in 2007

JLS are an English boy band consisting of members Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Marvin Humes, and JB Gill; Williams formed the band. They initially signed with Tracklacers production company New Track City and were the runners-up of the fifth series of the ITV reality talent show The X Factor in 2008, coming in second to Alexandra Burke. After their appearance on The X Factor, JLS signed to Epic Records. Their first two singles "Beat Again" and "Everybody in Love" were both number one on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aston Merrygold</span> English media personality

Aston Iain Merrygold is a British singer, songwriter, actor, dancer and television presenter. He is known for being a member of the British boy band JLS, who were the runners-up to Alexandra Burke in the fifth series of The X Factor. As part of the group he achieved five number one singles on the UK Singles Chart and a number one album on the UK Albums Chart. As of December 2013, JLS had sold over 10 million records before disbanding in 2013 and reuniting in 2020. In 2013, he became a judge on the British dance talent show Got to Dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marvin Humes</span> English singer, DJ and presenter

Marvin Richard James Humes is an English singer-songwriter, disc jockey, radio host, television presenter, and former actor. Before rising to prominence as a member of the British boy band JLS, he had an acting role in Holby City. As part of JLS, he achieved five number-one singles on the UK Singles Charts and a number-one album on the UK Albums Charts. As of December 2013, they have sold over 10 million records worldwide.

<i>Reality Killed the Video Star</i> 2009 studio album by Robbie Williams

Reality Killed the Video Star is the eighth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, released in November 2009. The album was produced by Trevor Horn and recorded between September 2008 and August 2009 in London and Los Angeles. It debuted in the top ten of 22 national album charts worldwide, and has received varying reviews from music critics. It incorporates elements of pop rock, dance-rock, alternative rock and adult contemporary music. Reality Killed the Video Star was viewed by critics and fans as being Williams' "comeback album" after the relative failure of his 2006 release, Rudebox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shame (Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow song)</span> 2010 single by Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow

"Shame" is a song written and recorded by English singers Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow for Williams's second greatest hits compilation album, In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010 (2010). Produced by Trevor Horn, it was released as the lead single from the album on 27 August 2010 in most countries worldwide and on 1 October in the United Kingdom. "Shame" marks the first time Williams and Barlow collaborated on a song together solely and the first time they worked together since Williams left Take That in 1995. It is a pop song with country and folk music influences; two reviewers noted that it contains an acoustic guitar part similar to the one of the Beatles' 1968 song, "Blackbird". The lyrical content revolves around the singers repairing their broken relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidz (song)</span> 2011 single by Take That

"Kidz" is a song by English pop group Take That from their sixth studio album, Progress. It was released as the second single from the album on 20 February 2011. The song features Mark Owen and Gary Barlow performing lead vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let in the Sun</span> 2015 single by Take That

"Let in the Sun" is a song by English pop group Take That. It was released through Polydor Records on 2 March 2015 as the second single from their seventh studio album, III (2014).

References

  1. ↑ "New Single Morning Sun Released Today". RobbieWilliams.com. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  2. ↑ "Robbie Performs Live on BBC Dance Show". RobbieWilliams.com. 15 February 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  3. ↑ "Robbie's Morning Sun Aids Sport Relief". RobbieWilliams.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Robbie Williams 4Music Favourites Parte 1". YouTube .
  5. ↑ Heath, Chris. (2017). Reveal: Robbie Williams. Blink Publishing.
  6. ↑ "Morning Sun Video: First Look". RobbieWilliams.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  7. ↑ "Music – Singles Reviews – Robbie Williams: 'Morning Sun'". Digital Spy. 8 March 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "Robbie Wins Two NRJ Music Awards". RobbieWilliams.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  9. ↑ "Robbie Performs Live on BBC Dance Show". RobbieWilliams.com. 9 October 2005. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  10. ↑ "Robbie At The Brit Awards 2010: Tune In Tonight". RobbieWilliams.com. 9 October 2005. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  11. ↑ "Die Preistraeger :: Echo 2010". Echopop.de. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  12. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Morning Sun" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Morning Sun" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  14. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Morning Sun" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  15. ↑ Robbie Williams — Morning Sun. TopHit. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  16. ↑ "European Radio Airplay" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Music Control. 25 November 2010. p. 51. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  17. 1 2 "Robbie Williams – Morning Sun – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  18. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Morning Sun" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.