Robbie Williams, Angels, & Imposter Syndrome

In the world of music, lyrics play a crucial role in conveying emotions, messages, and experiences that resonate with audiences on a deep level.

And as you know, the art of writing lyrics goes beyond just putting words to music. It's about creating a meaningful connection that can truly make a difference in someone's life.

It's about taking your listeners on a journey and leaving a lasting impression on them.

So, let's take a look at a legendary musician like Robbie Williams and his songwriting journey. I recently watched the documentary about him on NETFLIX, and it truly moved me to see that even someone like him struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

For Robbie, it was especially hard because the UK press seemed to be his nemesis. They beat him down, and no matter what he did, they constantly told their own made-up stories with the worst snapshots they could find of him to make him look bad.

Every time he published a song, they were talking badly about him, his skills, and his music.

And you can see how this constantly fed the self-doubt that he experienced. He is from the UK.

He wanted to be recognized in his own country, but he was up against all those people, the media, and the press.

When he released his first solo album, it had to be a hit. Or it would have been over for him and his career.

His first single, "Old Before I Die," hit number two in the UK charts and even got silver. It sold about 200,000 certified copies.

Now, the people, the press, everyone was expecting more.

He's just released an album.

What about the second single?

The record company also wanted to find out if this is someone they can support or someone we should pull the plug on because they're not bringing in money, right?

It's all about money.

So the second single, "Lazy Days," only hit number eight in the UK charts. It was number 47 on the European charts, and it got no certification, no award, and nothing.

So that's when things went south.

The pressure grew. He had to release a single that works.

He thought: I have to convince everyone that I'm the real deal, that I can do this, that I'm a good enough songwriter.

Of course, he didn't want to feed the self-doubt he already had and that he now experienced from the press by releasing those singles.

So he released another single, "South of the Border."

It only reached the UK charts at number 14, missing the top 10, and in Europe, it was only number 74.

And things went further south.

The record company debated already if they are going to continue to support him or are they going to pull the plug on him?

Luckily, he still had an ace up his sleeve: the song "Angels." This was the fourth single from the album "Live Through a Lens".

It hit number four in the UK charts and has become the 34th best-selling UK single of the nineties.

At the 2005 Brit Awards, it was voted the best song of the previous 25 years.

So, when you look at all the songs that came out in that period, it has been voted the number one best song.

So this is huge.

It got three times platinum in the UK. So there's something that "Angels" did right, that was missing with the other single releases.

And what stroke me the most as I watched the documentary was that Robbie Williams said that to this day, he doesn't know what made "Angels" so great.

So, isn't this incredible?

After all those years, and he still does not know what made "Angels" so special.

Why did that particular song make it?

He said, "like, whatever it is, like, that song had it", right?

So what is it that this song had?

Now, for years, my focus has been on breaking down song lyrics to find the patterns that make lyrics powerful.

And I've identified over 75 key criteria that impact the power of lyrics. From powerful hooks to compelling narratives, each element plays a crucial role in captivating listeners.

And I analyzed the song "Angels" and compared it with Williams' other single releases.

Robbie Williams' journey with the song "Angels" underscores the importance of strong lyric writing. By crafting a song with a deep emotional connection, empowering message, and universal appeal, Williams created a timeless hit that resonated with audiences worldwide.

After all, in any creative endeavor, it's easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt and uncertainty about the quality of our work.

By honing our skills in the art of writing lyrics, we can find the confidence to stand behind the songs we write and share them with the world.

Understanding what makes lyrics powerful and impactful can help us overcome imposter syndrome and unleash our full potential as artists.

As you embark on your songwriting journey, remember that lyrics are not just words on a page. They have the power to inspire, uplift, and connect with listeners on a profound level. By focusing on the art of writing lyrics and honing your craft, you can create music that leaves a lasting impact and resonates with audiences around the globe.

Stay inspired,

Melanie