Robbie Williams - Feel

"Feel" is one of the most iconic hits by British singer Robbie Williams.

The song was released on December 2, 2002 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Escapology. It became one of the biggest international hits of his career.

Creation and meaning of the song:

Co-authorship: The song was written by Robbie Williams in collaboration with his long-time creative partner Guy Chambers, who also produced.

Vocal History: An amazing feature of the song is its vocals. According to Williams himself, almost all of the vocals that we hear in the final version are recordings from the original 1999 demo. Robbie tried to re-record the vocals in the studio, but was unhappy with the result. He felt that he couldn't sing as sincerely and emotionally as he had on that first day, so they decided to keep the demo version.

Song lyrics: "Feel" is a powerful and poignant song about finding meaning, love, and longing for genuine feelings. The lyrical protagonist reflects on his life, expressing that "I've got too much life running through my veins to go to waste" ("I've got too much life running through my veins to go to waste").

He says that he doesn't want to die, but he also doesn't feel a strong desire to live. Ultimately, he simply wants to "feel true love" and find his place in life. This song was a reflection of Robbie's inner turmoil and vulnerability.

Success and Recognition:

International Hit: The song became an incredibly successful hit in Europe, reaching number one on the charts in the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania. It also reached the top 5 in Germany, Sweden, Ireland and Denmark, and was ranked 4th in the UK. The song was voted the most played song in Europe in 2003.

USA: Although "Feel" did not enter the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 28 on the Adult Top 40 chart.

Music video: The music video for the song, directed by Vaughn Arnell, has become a cult. The video is made in black and white and shows Robbie Williams as a cowboy in the Canadian province of Alberta. The video also starred the famous American actress Daryl Hannah, who plays the beloved of the main character.

"Feel" remains one of the most beloved songs among fans of Robbie Williams, due to its sincerity, emotional depth and powerful, catchy vocals.