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Robbie Williams reckons he won't have a chart-topping single again

Amy Johnson
·Contributor
·2-min read
Robbie Williams performs on stage during X Factor 2019 Final at Mediolanum Forum of Assago on December 12, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pietro D'aprano/Getty Images)
Robbie Williams performs on stage during X Factor 2019 Final at Mediolanum Forum of Assago on December 12, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pietro D'aprano/Getty Images)

Robbie Williams' latest musical offering is festive coronavirus pandemic inspired track, Can't Stop Christmas.

But the former Take That star doesn't reckon he's a contender for the Christmas number one, or for any place in the singles charts for that matter.

"I’m not in it, so I think those days for me being in the singles, high in the singles charts, have moved on," the 46-year-old said in an interview with Jenni Falconer for Smooth's Virtual Coffee Break.

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"I’m an albums kind of person now, which is wonderful. But I don’t even look at the charts now. And I wouldn’t even think that I would get anywhere near up there. But if I did, it would be a Christmas miracle and I’d be very grateful."

Williams' last - and only - Christmas number one was achieved with Nicole Kidman on their Somethin' Stupid cover back in 2001.

Can't Stop Christmas makes plenty of references to the events of 2020, including Zoom calls, hand sanitiser and social distancing.

The track's chorus sees Williams sing: "You can't take away our season/ Like you can't take away the wine/Santa's on his sleigh/ But now he's two metres away."

Robbie Williams performs on the eve of the release of his album ‘The Christmas Present’ at The Bavarian Hut stage during Winter Wonderland 2019 at Hyde Park on November 21, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/Redferms)
Robbie Williams performs on the eve of the release of his album ‘The Christmas Present’ at The Bavarian Hut stage during Winter Wonderland 2019 at Hyde Park on November 21, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/Redferms)

While Williams is throwing a new festive song into the mix, one Christmas classic is getting a bit of a rework this year.

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's Fairytale of New York is set to be played with slightly tweaked lyrics on BBC Radio 1 to remove its offensive language.

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The record has proved to be divine over the years due to the use of homophobic slur 'f*****'. It has been reported the offending word will be changed to "haggard".

The original version is still set to air on BBC Radio 2, while 6 Music presenters have a choice between the two versions.

Watch: Shane MacGowan doesn’t think Fairytale of New York’s lyrics are insulting