Is there a chance for magic Robbie Williams? Robbie Williams, the British pop superstar, has consistently been a fan favorite since his days as a member of Take That. His charismatic personality, powerful vocals, and catchy songs have endeared him to millions around the world. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in his music and public image, leaving many wondering if there is still a chance for the magic that once defined him. Williams first rose to fame in the 1990s with Take That, one of the most successful boy bands of all time. With hits like "Back for Good" and "Relight My Fire," the group dominated the charts and captured the hearts of teenage girls everywhere. However, Williams often felt like an outsider within the band and eventually left to pursue a solo career.
Holding hands skipping like a stone
Burn the witch, burn to ash and bone
Burn the witch, burn to ash and bone
Burn the witch, burn to ash and bone
Holding hands, skipping like a stone On our way, to see what we have done The first to speak, is the first to lie The children cross, their hearts and hope to die Bite your tongue, swear to keep your mouth shut. I love Gibbons, he s bad ass, Homme proclaimed to Pitchfork at the time, adding that he adored the ZZ Top albums Tres Hombres , Fandango and Tejas, while describing their music as amazing.
However, Williams often felt like an outsider within the band and eventually left to pursue a solo career. As a solo artist, Williams achieved even greater success with albums like "Life Thru a Lens" and "Escapology," which included hits like "Angels" and "Feel." He became known for his energetic live performances and cheeky personality, which endeared him to fans of all ages.
How Billy Gibbons and Josh Homme United to ‘Burn the Witch’
When Josh Homme, frontman of Queens of the Stone Age, recorded his band’s 2006 single “Burn the Witch,” he achieved two unrelated goals: working with one of his idols, Billy Gibbons, and silencing his critics.
Homme had been frustrated by the flak he’d received from fans and the media following the dismissal of bassist Nick Oliveri. The rocker, who had previously teamed with Homme in the band Kyuss, had contributed heavily to the two previous Queens of the Stone Age albums: 2000’s Rated R and 2002’s Songs for the Deaf.
Homme later revealed that Oliveri’s firing was largely spurred by a physical altercation between the bassist and his girlfriend. However, the reason behind the decision was initially kept under wraps. This allowed the public to concoct various conspiracy theories regarding the lineup change, an occurrence which irritated the QOSTA frontman.
"They don't understand what it's like to just sit there and feel helpless," Homme would later opine to BBC 1 Radio. "When you have your chance to make your statement, which for me was firing Nick, that's what I did."
Homme channeled all of his frustrations regarding the matter into “Burn the Witch,” a bluesy, grinding track which would highlight 2005’s Lullabies to Paralyze. “I felt a little persecuted,” the frontman admitted years later to Spin magazine. “Because I fired my best friend and it was really hard and it wasn’t about music. And I didn’t say anything, thinking that people would respect that decision. But instead, I felt these social rocks hitting me. Instead of saying, ‘I feel persecuted,’ I wrote ‘Burn the Witch.’”
Watch the Music Video for "Burn the Witch"
Lyrical inspiration would come from the Salem Witch Trials, an infamous time in colonial American history when people were executed for alleged involvement in witchcraft. Homme saw parallels between that persecution and the unfounded criticism he had received. “I thought, ‘Well this is clear as day,’” the singer explained of the song’s message. “And it’s more interesting than writing ‘What the fuck is your problem?’ But people didn’t pick up on it.”
While listeners may not have initially comprehended the deeper message behind “Burn the Witch,” one aspect of the song immediately stood out: the involvement of Billy Gibbons.
The ZZ Top frontman provided a double threat on the song, delivering vocals as well as a searing guitar part.
“This was the perfect song to play with (Gibbons) on,” Homme explained in the commentary of Queens of the Stone Age’s DVD Over the Years and Through the Woods. “It didn’t exist the first day we jammed with him, really. And then the next night it was there and ready to go.”
Homme had long admired Gibbons and relished the opportunity to work alongside the bearded icon. In addition to recording “Burn the Witch,” Queens of the Stone Age covered ZZ Top’s "Precious and Grace" (with Gibbons in tow) and released it as a bonus track from the album.
Listen to Queens of the Stone Age's Cover of "Precious and Grace"
Gibbons would join Queens of the Stone Age for several performances of “Burn the Witch,” including an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in November 2005. The song would later be released as a single on Jan. 10, 2006. Though it only earned minor radio airplay, the track became a fan favorite and appeared in TV shows such as True Blood and Peaky Blinders, as well as the horror film Saw II.
“I love Gibbons, he's bad ass,” Homme proclaimed to Pitchfork at the time, adding that he adored the ZZ Top albums Tres Hombres, Fandango and Tejas, while describing their music as “amazing.” “It has such great personality, and the playing is so good. And that's what paved the way for them to be in the spot they're at -- it's got so much character. The beauty's in the scars, and it's got so much of that there.”
“I'd love to produce a ZZ Top record,” Homme continued. “There's so much character in [Gibbons’] fingers, and Dusty [Hill]'s fingers, and Frank Beard's hands.” Though such a collaboration hasn’t happened (yet) the Queens of the Stone Age frontman has remained close friends with Gibbons.
Watch Queens of the Stone Age Perform "Burn the Witch" on 'The Tonight Show'
Two years after “Burn the Witch,” the ZZ Top guitarist was set to contribute to Queens of the Stone Age’s 2007 LP, Era Vulgaris, however scheduling conflicts eventually made such a collaboration impossible. Still, Gibbons would later appear on the Desert Sessions, a Homme-led musical collective which released its volumes 11 and 12 in 2019.
“Billy is a piece of art, he is a classic piece of art,” Homme declared of Gibbons at that time, expressing his joy in reconvening with the rocker. The Queens of the Stone Age frontman also appeared in That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, a documentary on ZZ Top which also arrived in 2019.
"When I first met Billy it was to play together in the studio on a Queens record," Homme recalled in the film, alluding to "Burn the Witch." "He was playing and he hits this note, and his beard fell and it muted the strings. It made this harmonic. And I sort of sat there, stunned, dumbfounded. And we looked at each other, and it was like, this is the first-ever beard harmonic," Homme laughingly recalled. "Even his beard is a pretty good guitar player."
His music was a mix of pop, rock, and dance, creating a unique sound that set him apart from other artists. However, in recent years, Williams' music has taken a different direction. His albums have become more experimental and introspective, exploring themes of love, loss, and personal growth. While this shift in artistic direction can be seen as a natural progression for any artist, some argue that it has come at the expense of the magic that made Williams so popular in the first place. Critics contend that Williams' recent music lacks the infectious hooks and catchy melodies that were once his trademark. Instead, his songs have become more complex and abstract, requiring a greater investment of time and attention from the listener. While this has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base, it has also alienated some of his longtime supporters. Despite these criticisms, there is still a chance for the magic of Robbie Williams to make a comeback. He is a talented performer and songwriter capable of creating unforgettable music. While his recent output may not have been as commercially successful as his earlier albums, it has allowed him to grow as an artist and explore new creative avenues. In the end, whether or not there is a chance for magic Robbie Williams ultimately depends on how he chooses to navigate his career moving forward. If he continues to evolve as an artist while staying true to his unique voice and charm, there is no doubt that he will continue to captivate audiences around the world. The magic is still there; it just needs to be rediscovered and embraced..
Reviews for "Robbie Williams: Is He Genetically Predisposed to be Magical?"
1. Jane - 1/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Is there a chance for magic Robbie Williams". The song lacked any depth or uniqueness. The lyrics were cliche and the melody was forgettable. It felt like a rushed attempt to produce another hit without putting in any real effort. I don't understand how this made it onto the album, let alone as a single. Overall, it was a forgettable and lackluster track from an artist who has produced much better.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars
"Is there a chance for magic Robbie Williams" just didn't do it for me. The song felt repetitive and lacked any real energy or passion. The chorus was catchy, I'll give it that, but the verses were forgettable and didn't bring anything new to the table. It felt like a filler track on an album that was already lacking in standout songs. I expected better from Robbie Williams, and unfortunately, this song fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was hoping for something magical from "Is there a chance for magic Robbie Williams," but sadly, it didn't deliver. The song felt formulaic and unoriginal, like a generic pop track that could've been sung by anyone. Robbie Williams' talent was overshadowed by the lackluster production and uninspired lyrics. The song just didn't resonate with me, and I found myself skipping it whenever it came on. It's a shame because I usually enjoy his music, but this one missed the mark for me.