Rarities #6: Robbie Williams Sing When You're Winning (2000)

Robbie Williams was at the height of his fame when this album was released. Ever since he emerged from the shadows of Take That, Robbie has consistently released hit albums and singles, eclipsing the fame and popularity of fellow Take That-er, Gary Barlow. His debut album, Life Thru A Lens was huge, and its follow up, I've Been Expecting You, did just as well. However, Sing When You're Winning (fulfiling his penchant for four-letter album titles) blew everything away.

It contained the massive singles Rock DJ (which featured a cheeky music video), Better Man, Supreme, Kids (duet with Kylie Minogue), The Road To Mandalay and Let Love Be Your Energy. It isn't often that an album could cull six singles, and this just goes to show the strength of the album.

Supreme was a winner, cleverly incorporating the strings playing a strain of Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive. Kids was simply hot, pairing up two of the hottest singers in the pop world at that time.

This special collector's edition of the album is really rare, and it's not for sale anywhere now. It is housed in a fabric cardboard casing, with a colour album booklet attached to it. It contains many cheeky pictures of Robbie as usual...e.g. many Robbies in a locker room, naked Robbies streaking in the stadium, Robbie taking a piss etc.

Such is the appeal of Robbie...never taking himself too seriously, and knowing how to laugh at himself. And it doesn't hurt that he can pen some nice tunes and carry a tune decently too.

The CD in this package is an Enhanced CD and it contains videos of live performances of Better Man and Phoenix From The Flames. These extras are not available on the regular edition.