Something Beautiful

Last updated

"Something Beautiful"
Robbie Williams - Something Beautiful - CD single cover.jpg
Single by Robbie Williams
from the album Escapology
Released21 May 2003 (2003-05-21)
Studio Los Angeles, London
Genre Soul [1]
Length
  • 4:48 (album version)
  • 4:01 (radio edit)
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Guy Chambers
  • Steve Power
Robbie Williams singles chronology
"Come Undone"
(2003)		"Something Beautiful"
(2003)		"Sexed Up"
(2003)
Music video
"Something Beautiful" on YouTube

"Something Beautiful" is a song co-written by English musicians Guy Chambers and Robbie Williams. Originally offered to Welsh singer Tom Jones,[ citation needed ] it was released as the third single from Williams' fifth studio album, Escapology (2002). [2] The track was issued in Japan on 21 May 2003 and in Europe two months later, in July. "Something Beautiful" reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and peaked within the top 10 in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Romania.

Contents

Music video

The video of the song is influenced by reality shows like Pop Idol , and is one of the few with two different endings. An interactive version of the video was created to run on Sky Digital by weapon7 where viewers could vote through the red button and discover the backstory of the participants. A spokesman for Robbie Williams told the Daily Mirror , "We wanted to find someone with the 'essence' of Robbie to perform the new track in the video – it could be a woman." [3]

At the start of the video, fans from all over Europe try to impress judges during the audition stage of fictional reality show Manufactured Miracles; one of the members on the selection panel is Williams' real-life father Pete Conway. Several contestants are put through to the next round, but only three emerge finalists: actor/singer Peter Caruana from Manchester, and students Rebecca Durrant and Bjorn Wenner from Essex and Hamburg respectively. [4] They are groomed by a choreographer and singing coach, and given makeovers by stylists whilst experiencing the celebrity status lifestyle, with an interview at Capital FM and a stay at a luxury hotel before competing in the live shows, each finalist representing a different stage in Williams' career.

Two endings were filmed. In the first, viewers are asked to vote on Williams' website for whom they thought was the best performer. The second version of the video ends with Peter winning the competition before meeting Williams at a bus stop, the latter reading a newspaper with the headline "Robbie For a Week: Back to Reality for Final Three"—a reference to reality stars abandoned by once-loyal fans and management following brief success. [5] As Peter was unaware he would meet Williams, his surprise was genuine.

Rebecca Durrant, who later became a police officer, told the Sunday Mirror the experience put her off fame stating "After I filmed the video I realised I didn't want to face the pressure, the secrecy, the non-stop filming and constant hair and make-up touchups... the closest I get to singing now is karaoke in my local pub." [6] Similarly, in an interview with the Salford Advertiser , Peter Caruana stated, "I decided it was time to give Robbie a rest – he's been good to me, but enough is enough. In a way I think it has held me back and I really want to get back to treading the boards, because that's what I trained for." He has since featured in commercials for Chicago Town Pizza as a Simon Cowell lookalike. [7]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Escapology album booklet. [14]

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
Japan23 May 2003CD Chrysalis [38]
Europe7 July 2003 [23]
United Kingdom28 July 2003
  • CD
  • DVD
  • cassette
 [39]
Australia18 August 2003CD [40]

Related Research Articles

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millennium (song)</span> 1998 single by Robbie Williams

"Millennium" is a song by English singer Robbie Williams from his second studio album, I've Been Expecting You (1998). On 7 September 1998, it was released as the first track from the album and became Williams' first single to top the UK Singles Chart. The song also received extensive airplay in the United States and Canada, where it was the lead single from Williams' 1999 compilation album, The Ego Has Landed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kids (Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue song)</span> 2000 single by Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue

"Kids" is a duet between singers Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue, released as the second single from Sing When You're Winning, Williams' third studio album, and the third single from Light Years, Minogue's seventh studio album. Williams and his then songwriting partner Guy Chambers co-wrote the song for Minogue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She's the One (World Party song)</span> 1997 promotional single by World Party

"She's the One" is a song by British rock band World Party. It was written and produced by Karl Wallinger for World Party's fourth studio album, Egyptology (1997). The song won an Ivor Novello Award in 1997. It was featured in the 1997 movie The Matchmaker and the 1998 movie The Big Hit. World Party performed the song live on British TV show, Later... with Jools Holland in 1998. Robbie Williams released a cover of the song in 1999, which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Regrets (Robbie Williams song)</span> 1998 single by Robbie Williams

"No Regrets" is a song by English singer Robbie Williams. It was released on 30 November 1998 as the second single from his second studio album, I've Been Expecting You (1998). The track was written by Williams and Guy Chambers and features backing vocals from Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys and Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy. In the United Kingdom, the song was released as a double A-side with a cover of Adam and the Ants' "Antmusic".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supreme (song)</span> 2000 single by Robbie Williams

"Supreme" is a song by English singer Robbie Williams for his third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000). Chrysalis Records released the song as the third single from the album on 11 December 2000. Commercially, the single reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, topped the charts of Hungary and Poland, and peaked within the top 10 in six additional European countries and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Love Be Your Energy</span> 2001 single by Robbie Williams

"Let Love Be Your Energy" is a song by English singer Robbie Williams, released in April 2001 as the fourth single from his third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000). The song reached number 10 in the United Kingdom and entered the top 40 in several other countries. It was not released in Australia until 2002, when it peaked at number 53 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The music video for the single was presented in animation. It featured a cartoon facsimile of Williams always on the run in search of love. There is a second, raunchier version of the video depicting animated nudity and sex.

<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. "Angels" was written by Williams and Guy Chambers, based on an earlier song written by Ray Heffernan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio (Robbie Williams song)</span> 2004 single by Robbie Williams

"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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somethin' Stupid</span> Song written by C. Carson Parks

"Somethin' Stupid", or "Something Stupid", is a song written by C. Carson Parks. It was originally recorded in 1966 by Parks and his wife Gaile Foote, as Carson and Gaile. A 1967 version by Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy Sinatra became a major international hit, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart. In 2001, a cover version by British vocalist Robbie Williams and Australian actress Nicole Kidman reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South of the Border (Robbie Williams song)</span> 1997 single by Robbie Williams

"South of the Border" is a song by English recording artist Robbie Williams, released as the third single from his debut studio album, Life thru a Lens (1997). The song reached No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart, his only single to miss the top 10 until "Sin Sin Sin" in 2006. This was the only Life Thru a Lens single that did not appear on Williams' Greatest Hits album (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel (Robbie Williams song)</span> 2002 single by Robbie Williams

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexed Up</span> 2003 single by Robbie Williams

"Sexed Up" is a song by British pop singer Robbie Williams, released as the fourth and last single from his album Escapology in November 2003. It was originally recorded for Natalie Imbruglia, who turned it down. Williams had earlier released it in 1998 in demo form as the B-side to his single "No Regrets".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come Undone (Robbie Williams song)</span> 2003 single by Robbie Williams

"Come Undone" is a song by British singer Robbie Williams for his fifth studio album Escapology (2002). Written by Williams, Boots Ottestad, Ashley Hamilton, and Daniel Pierre, it was released as the second single from Escapology on 31 March 2003 by Chrysalis Records. "Come Undone" peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 20 in seven other European countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lazy Days</span> 1997 single by Robbie Williams

"Lazy Days" is a song by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. It was released in the United Kingdom on 14 July 1997 as the second single from his debut studio album, Life thru a Lens (1997). According to Williams, the song is about being young, optimistic about the future and not afraid of committing mistakes. The song became a top-10 hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number eight on the UK Singles Chart. A demo version of "Lazy Days" is included as a B-side on the "Millennium" CD2 single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Before I Die</span> 1997 single by Robbie Williams

"Old Before I Die" is a song by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, released as the first single from his debut album, Life thru a Lens (1997). The Oasis-influenced song became a number-two hit in the United Kingdom and a number-one hit in Spain following its release on 14 April 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eternity/The Road to Mandalay</span> 2001 single by Robbie Williams

"Eternity" / "The Road to Mandalay" is the fifth single from English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams' third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000). "Eternity" does not appear on the album but was later included on Williams' Greatest Hits album in 2004. The lyrics of "Eternity" were written as a tribute to Williams' close friendship with Geri Halliwell. Brian May of Queen plays electric guitar on the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better Man (Robbie Williams song)</span> 2001 song performed by Robbie Williams

"Better Man" is a song by English pop singer Robbie Williams, released as the final single from his third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000), in October 2001. It was released only in Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. A music video for the Australian release was produced in 2001, reusing scenes from Williams' "Eternity" music video intercut with a live performance of "Better Man" from his The Sermon on the Mount Tour in Manchester, England, in October 2000, overdubbed with the studio version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sin Sin Sin</span> 2006 single by Robbie Williams

"Sin Sin Sin" is a song by British singer Robbie Williams from his sixth studio album, Intensive Care (2005). It was released as the fourth and last single the album on 22 May 2006 by Chrysalis Records. The song was remixed for single release, being at a quicker tempo than the original. Additional hand claps were added throughout the song as well as some new instrumentation to the choruses. The song peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Williams' first single to miss the top 10 since 1997's "South of the Border", as well as his first ever to miss the top 20. Elsewhere, the single reached the top 20 in Australia and several European countries, peaking at number one in Hungary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Only Us</span> 1999 single by Robbie Williams

"It's Only Us" is a song by English singer Robbie Williams, released as a double A-side with a cover of "She's the One" on 8 November 1999. Unlike "She's the One", "It's Only Us" was a brand new recording made for the FIFA 2000 soundtrack. As such, it did not originally appear on I've Been Expecting You but was eventually added to its 2002 reissue.

References

  1. ↑ "Robbie Williams: Escapology". PopMatters . 30 April 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. ↑ "Something Beautiful". RobbieWilliams.com.
  3. ↑ "Fame beckoned, this was my chance to appear in Robbie Williams' new video. The only obstacles in my way were my total inability to sing in tune, key or rhythm of any kind; MIRROR GIRL AT POP AUDITION".
  4. ↑ She's the One – Girl Plays Robbie
  5. ↑ WENN. "The Race To Be Robbie". Contactmusic.com.
  6. ↑ mirror Administrator (12 September 2009). "Robbie Williams real-life angels – we reveal the stories behind his female video co-stars". mirror.
  7. ↑ "Pete cuts the beard". men. 18 April 2010.
  8. ↑ Something Beautiful (UK & Australasian CD single liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2003. CDCHS5152, 7243 552767 0 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Something Beautiful (UK DVD single liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2003. DVDCHS 5152, 7243 490755 9 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Something Beautiful (Australian DVD single liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2003. 7243 490785 9 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Something Beautiful (UK cassette single sleeve). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2003. TCCHS 5152.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Something Beautiful (European CD single liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2003. 07243 552699 2 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ サムシング・ビューティフル (Japanese CD single liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2003. TOCP-40159.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Escapology (UK CD album booklet). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2002. 5439942.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  16. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  18. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  19. ↑ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on 10 August 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful". Tracklisten. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "Hits of the World – Eurochart" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 115, no. 33. 16 August 2003. p. 45. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  22. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  23. 1 2 "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  24. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  25. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Something Beautiful". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  26. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  28. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  29. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  30. 1 2 "Topul anului 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  32. ↑ "Robbie Williams – Something Beautiful". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  33. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  34. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003". Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  35. ↑ "End of Year Charts 2003". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  36. ↑ "ChartsPlus YE2003 – UKChartsPlus" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  37. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2004" (in Hungarian). Mahasz . Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  38. ↑ "サムシング・ビューティフル | ロビー・ウィリアムス" [Something Beautiful | Robbie Williams] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  39. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 26 July 2003. p. 31. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 18th August 2003" (PDF). ARIA. 18 August 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2003. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
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.