Robbie Williams has revealed his biggest career regret – and it’s the 2006 single ‘Rudebox’. The song, which was the title track from his seventh solo album, was a departure from his usual pop-rock style, and was met with confusion and derision from fans. The lyrics of the song were particularly noteworthy, with references to Adidas Superstars, DJ Semtex, TK Maxx, and other lines such as “Do the rudebox/Shake your rudebox” and “Pocket full of Durex, body full of Mandrex/Are we gonna have sex?”
Williams has expressed his embarrassment at releasing the song, which will be explored in a new four-part Netflix documentary looking at both his career and personal life. “My biggest regret is putting that out as the first single,” he said. “If I’d have put it out third and explained properly [that] it’s daft – I know! I’m not trying to be a grime artist. I know it’s daft.”
The singer-songwriter also discussed his relationship with Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell. “I just found her company very, very easy,” he said. “[But] it was a very confusing relationship, because she’s a girl and I’m a boy, we are very good friends trying to sort out the wreckage of the past.”
Williams has also been open about his history of self-harm and depression, which will be examined in the documentary. “I read something that triggered me, someone talking about ‘celeb washing’ of mental illnesses,” he said. “And celebs making mental health issues sexy.” He went on to express that there was “nothing sexy” about his suicide attempt, and urged people to be careful with the language they use when discussing mental health.
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