Rudebox

The album is a mixture of covers and new tracks, in addition to "Summertime", a song originally written when Williams left Take That and which appeared in the credits of Mike Bassett: England Manager, and features collaborations with William Orbit, Mark Ronson, Soul Mekanik (featuring Candy Flip's Danny Spencer and his brother) and two collaborations with Pet Shop Boys: "She's Madonna" and "We're the Pet Shop Boys". Lily Allen provides backing vocals on the songs "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus" and "Keep On". Williams covers five songs on the album: "Louise", a 1984 hit for The Human League, "Kiss Me", the biggest hit for Stephen Duffy, "Lovelight" by Lewis Taylor, "We're the Pet Shop Boys" by My Robot Friend, and "Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus", by Manu Chao.

Williams himself spoke fondly of the album upon its release; "It has become something on which I've found myself. This is the right direction for me personally, this is what it is. I saw the whole Robbie thing coming to a close as it was, I couldn't make another album like the ones I'd made, and this has just opened up a thousand other doors. What I am excited about now is making more music. I love all the stuff on the album, I love Rudebox, it's a favourite song of mine. I don't know what's gonna happen now, I'm excited about getting it out there, but I'm more excited about making more."{{cite web|url=http://www.robbiewilliams.com/news-blogs/rudebox-a-track-by-track-guide-by-robbie-williams|website=robbiewilliams.com|title=Robbie Williams|access-date=9 November 2016}}

"She's Madonna" was the centre of a tabloid storm after Ashley Hamilton claimed that he came up with part of the song with Williams. Hamilton has claimed he wishes to take the matter to court as he is not credited as a co-writer on the album.{{cite web |url=http://www.exposay.com/robbie-williams-is-accused-of-stealing-shes-madonna-track/v/3888/ |title=Robbie Williams Is Accused of Stealing "She's Madonna" Track |website=Exposay.com |access-date=21 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427072741/http://www.exposay.com/robbie-williams-is-accused-of-stealing-shes-madonna-track/v/3888 |archive-date=27 April 2010}}

Further controversy arose over the track "The 90's", part of which implies that Williams was ripped off by Take That's manager Nigel Martin-Smith after the band failed to make a profit from a European tour. The song raised the ire of Martin-Smith, who demanded that the song be removed from the album. The omitted lyrics were rapped during the break before the second verse.{{cite web |date=5 December 2007 |last=MacInnes |first=Paul |title=Robbie Williams apologises to ex-manager for not keeping his Rudebox shut |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/dec/05/1 |website=The Guardian }} During a 2019 concert at The Roundhouse in London, Williams stated: "Somebody asked me to do The '90s tonight. But I can't [...] because I'll get sued by Nigel Martin-Smith".Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/Wbf86qWtchg Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210111133324/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbf86qWtchg Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbf86qWtchg| title = Robbie Williams • The 80's • The Under The Radar Concert • Live At The Roundhouse, London • 07/10/19 | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 53/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/rudebox|title=Rudebox by Robbie Williams Reviews and Tracks |publisher=Metacritic|access-date=14 February 2025}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{AllMusic|album|rudebox-mw0000450717|author=John Bush|access-date=21 October 2010}}

| rev2 = The Guardian

| rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|title=CD: Robbie Williams, Rudebox |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/oct/20/popandrock.shopping2|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 October 2010|date=20 October 2006}}

| rev3 = The Independent

| rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108020453/http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/article1902895.ece|title=Album: Robbie Williams|website=The Independent|last=Gill|first=Andy|date=20 October 2006|access-date=14 February 2025}}

| rev4 = Mojo

| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Easlea |first=Daryl |url= |title=Robbie Williams Rudebox |magazine=Mojo |date=November 2006 |page=101}}

| rev5 = musicOMH

| rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last=Hubbard |first=Michael |title=Robbie Williams – Rudebox |url=http://www.musicomh.com/albums/robbie-williams-5_1006.htm |work=musicOMH |access-date=21 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410124624/http://www.musicomh.com/albums/robbie-williams-5_1006.htm |archive-date=10 April 2011}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = 8/10{{cite web|last=Elan|first=Priya|title=Robbie Williams – Robbie Williams: Rudebox – Album Reviews |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/robbie-williams/8052|work=NME|access-date=21 October 2010|date=23 October 2006}}

| rev7 = Now

| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Davies |first=Evan |title=NOW Magazine // Music // Disc Guide : Pop / Rock |url=http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=157864&archive=26,11,2006 |work=NOW |access-date=21 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021204800/http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/story.cfm?content=157864&archive=26%2C11%2C2006 |archive-date=21 October 2012}}

| rev8 = The Observer

| rev8score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web|last=Flynn|first=Paul|title=Robbie Williams, Rudebox |url=http://shopping.guardian.co.uk/music/story/0,,1907090,00.html|work=The Observer|access-date=21 October 2010|date=15 October 2006}}

| rev9 = PopMatters

| rev9score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Lomas|first=Michael|title=Robbie Williams: Rudebox < PopMatters|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/robbie-williams-rudebox/|website=PopMatters|access-date=21 October 2010|date=16 March 2007}}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10score = {{Rating|3|5}}It's not always pleasant... but at its best... it's the funniest, most adventurous and liveliest record of his career. [Nov 2006, p.134]

}}

According to review aggregator Metacritic, Rudebox received an average of 53 out of 100 indicating "mixed or average reviews" from music critics, based on reviews from 12 critics.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/rudebox|title=Rudebox by Robbie Williams Reviews and Tracks |publisher=Metacritic|access-date=14 February 2025}}

Rating the album 8 out of 10, Priya Elan of NME wrote "Luckily, Rudebox is the best thing he's ever put his name to," adding that "there's the double-headed autobiography of "The 80's" (currently at the centre of a legal dispute) and its follow-up "The 90's," the clattering "Vogue" rap in the LA tale "The Actor" and "She’s Madonna" – possibly his most bonkers song ever."{{Cite web|date=2006-10-23|title=Robbie Williams: Rudebox {{!}} NME|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-robbie-williams-8052-317832|access-date=2020-12-03|website=NME {{!}} Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News|language=en-GB}} Julie Broadfoot of BBC Music wrote: "There are a couple of tracks that wash over you but the album's a grower and some of the hooks will follow you around for hours," adding that "Good Doctor," a "tongue-in-cheek take on drugs, has bags of energy and the Stephen Duffy "Kiss Me" is brilliant. "She's Madonna" ("I love you baby, but face it she's Madonna") is a weird but fun tune about Queen Madge."{{Cite web|last=Broadfoot|first=Julie|title=BBC - Music - Review of Robbie Williams - Rudebox|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5w8c/|access-date=2020-12-03|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB}}

Michael Hubbard, writing for musicOMH, found that Rudebox "ultimately is, as a whole, several decent records whinnying to escape from development too early, resulting only in an expensive-sounding missed opportunity." Paul Flynn from The Observer wrote that "the hastily conceived Rudebox is bookmarked mostly by a ragbag of weary cover versions that even an advanced pop historian would have trouble connecting." In his review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis noted: "A scant handful of highlights aside, it is packed with half-baked ideas, bad jokes, music that any other star of Williams' stature would be terrified of the general public hearing. Perhaps that's the point. If nothing else, Rudebox is a sharp reminder that Robbie Williams is unique."

In the United Kingdom, the album sold 54,667[http://www.togermano.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=15431&view=findpost&p=197235 U.K. Midweeks 24/10 (Tuesday)]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} copies on the day of its release, reaching number one on the midweek version of the UK Albums Chart. The next day, the album had sold over 75,000 copies.[http://www.togermano.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=15431&view=findpost&p=204216 Midweeks 24/10 (Wednesday)]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The album debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart, selling over 147,000 copies in its week of release.[http://www.togermano.com/index.php?showtopic=16893 U.K. Top 75 – 29 October 2006]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Despite reaching number one, sales were far below what was expected by his label EMI and overall sales were overtaken by his former band Take That's Beautiful World. However, the album performed better than Beautiful World outside the UK. The fallout of the album's relative failure led to the firing of two music executives responsible for the album's development.{{Cite web |url=http://www.playfuls.com/news_00002485_Can_Robbie_Williams_Escape_Drugs_Demons_To_Save_His_Career.html |title=Can Robbie Williams Escape Drugs Demons To Save His Career? |access-date=14 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216065045/http://www.playfuls.com/news_00002485_Can_Robbie_Williams_Escape_Drugs_Demons_To_Save_His_Career.html |archive-date=16 February 2007 |url-status=dead}} As of December 2013, the album had sold 514,457 copies in the UK.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=Sam Bailey scores Xmas No.1 with 148k sales: Official Charts Analysis|url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/sam-bailey-scores-xmas-no-1-with-148k-sales-official-charts-analysis/057143|work=Music Week|access-date=25 December 2013|date=23 December 2013}} In 2008, NME reported that over one million unsold copies of the album were being sold to a company in China to be recycled and used as a road paving material.{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2008-01-16 |title=Robbie Williams to pave Chinese roads |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-88-1338919 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Swash |first=Rosie |date=2009-11-01 |title=Robbie Williams: Reality Killed the Video Star |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/01/robbie-williams-reality-killed-the-video-star |access-date=2024-12-07 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}

The album was released in the Netherlands on 20 October 2006, on the same day the album was certified platinum as a result of pre-order sales of over 70,000 copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.msnmusicexperience.com/news/uid_B37A310E-B9C5-4F9E-B458-06B7DDE4AD84.html |title=Album already platinum in the Netherlands |website=Msnmusicexperience.com |date=5 May 2009 |access-date=21 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113100419/http://www.msnmusicexperience.com/news/uid_B37A310E-B9C5-4F9E-B458-06B7DDE4AD84.html |archive-date=13 November 2006 |url-status=dead}} In Belgium, the album sold 50,000 copies and went platinum. It was released on 23 October 2006 in Australia and debuted at number-one, achieving platinum status in its first week.{{cite web|url=http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1A50 |title=ARIA Charts |publisher=ARIA |access-date=21 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922144216/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1A50 |archive-date=22 September 2010}} It has since been certified 2× Platinum. 220,000 copies of the album were sold in France on the week of release, as well as 600,000 in Germany. On 8 November 2006, IFPI certified the album 2× Platinum in Europe with sales of over 2 million copies, making it the fastest platinum selling album of 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/platinum_intro.html |title=IFPI Certifications, November 2006 |publisher=IFPI |date=1 September 2005 |access-date=21 October 2010}} On 20 November 2006, the album reached number-one in Mexico, becoming Williams' first number-one album there. The album was certified platinum there, with sales of over 100,000 copies.

In December 2020, while promoting "Can't Stop Christmas," the second single from his twelfth studio album The Christmas Present (2019), Williams revealed to the Official Charts Company that he had recorded a dance album during the lockdown period, which includes collaborations with Guy Chambers and a number of dance music artists from Stoke-on-Trent. The untitled album was scheduled to be released in spring 2021, and might be released with the band name Stoke House Mafia (a name inspired by 2010s chart stars Swedish House Mafia), though the report from the Official Charts Company did not confirm whether the record was the Rudebox sequel or not.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-has-recorded-an-edm-album-in-lockdown-im-forming-the-stoke-house-mafia__31820/|title = Robbie Williams has recorded an EDM album in lockdown|website = OfficialCharts.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/robbie-williams-new-album-has-been-delayed-due-to-coronavirus__31515/|title=Robbie Williams' new album delayed due to coronavirus|website=OfficialCharts.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/03/20/robbie-williams-hints-at-rudebox-sequel-as-he-defends-album-3551831/|title=Williams hints at Rudebox sequel|date=20 March 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.capitalfm.com/artists/robbie-williams/news/rudebox-album-sequel/|title = Robbie Williams Defends His Album 'Rudebox' and Confirms Plans for a Sequel}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a466892/robbie-williams-defends-rudebox-contemplating-sequel/|title = Robbie Williams defends 'Rudebox'|website = Digital Spy|date = 19 March 2013}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Rudebox track listing

| total_length = 74:44

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Rudebox

| writer1 = {{Flat list|

• Robbie Williams
• Kelvin Andrews
• Danny Spencer
• Bill Laswell
• Carl Aiken
• William Collins
• Sly Dunbar
• Robbie Shakespeare

}}

| extra1 = Soul Mekanik

| length1 = 4:45

| title2 = Viva Life on Mars

| writer2 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Andrews
• Spencer

}}

| extra2 = Soul Mekanik

| length2 = 4:50

| title3 = Lovelight

| writer3 = Lewis Taylor

| extra3 = Mark Ronson

| length3 = 4:02

| title4 = Bongo Bong and Je ne t'aime plus

| writer4 = {{Flat list|

• Manu Chao
• Anouk Khelifa

}}

| extra4 = Ronson

| length4 = 4:48

| title5 = She's Madonna

| note5 = with Pet Shop Boys

| writer5 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Neil Tennant
• Chris Lowe

}}

| extra5 = Pet Shop Boys

| length5 = 4:16

| title6 = Keep On

| writer6 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Chris Heath
• S. Duffy

}}

| extra6 = Ronson

| length6 = 4:18

| title7 = Good Doctor

| writer7 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Jerry Meehan

}}

| extra7 = Ronson

| length7 = 3:16

| title8 = The Actor

| writer8 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Brandon Christy
• Craig Russo

}}

| extra8 = {{Flat list|

• Christy
• Russo

}}

| length8 = 4:06

| title9 = Never Touch That Switch

| writer9 = {{Flat list|

• Andrews
• Spencer

}}

| extra9 = Soul Mekanik

| length9 = 2:46

| title10 = Louise

| writer10 = {{Flat list|

• Jo Callis
• Phil Oakey
• Adrian Wright

}}

| extra10 = William Orbit

| length10 = 4:46

| title11 = We're the Pet Shop Boys

| note11 = with Pet Shop Boys

| writer11 = My Robot Friend

| extra11 = {{Flat list|

• Chris Zippel
• Pet Shop Boys

}}

| length11 = 4:56

| title12 = Burslem Normals

| writer12 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Andrews
• Spencer

}}

| extra12 = Soul Mekanik

| length12 = 3:50

| title13 = Kiss Me

| writer13 = Duffy

| extra13 = Dave Lee

| length13 = 3:16

| title14 = The 80's

| writer14 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Meehan

}}

| extra14 = Meehan

| length14 = 4:17

| title15 = The 90's

| writer15 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Meehan

}}

| extra15 = Meehan

| length15 = 5:33

| title16 = Summertime

| writer16 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Antony Genn

}}

| extra16 = Orbit

| length16 = 5:42

| title17 = Dickhead

| note17 = hidden track

| writer17 = {{Flat list|

• Williams
• Meehan

}}

| extra17 = Meehan

| length17 = 4:09

}}

Notes

• "Rudebox" contains elements of the composition "Boops (Here to Go)" as written by Bill Laswell, Carl Aiken, Bootsy Collins, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for Rudebox}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|certref={{cite web |url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=10&PerDesde_AA=2000&PerHasta_MM=10&PerHasta_AA=2007&interprete=robbie%2Bwilliams&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=%2BBuscar%2B&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225174642/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=10&PerDesde_AA=2000&PerHasta_MM=10&PerHasta_AA=2007&interprete=robbie%2Bwilliams&album=&LanDesde_MM=0&LanDesde_AA=0&LanHasta_MM=0&LanHasta_AA=0&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=%2BBuscar%2B&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date=25 December 2007 |title=Discos de oro y platino |language=es |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|source=chart|id=19|access-date=July 8, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|salesamount=33,465|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|source=archive|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|certmonth=12|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Hungary|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relmonth=10|relyear=2006|certyear=2007|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|relyear=2006|nocert=true|salesamount=150,000|note=2006 sales|access-date=19 May 2020|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7046.pdf |title=LE CIFRE DI VENDITA 2006|publisher=Musica e dischi|language=it|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106032032/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7046.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2014}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=India|award=Gold|salesamount=10,000|salesref={{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/music-india-dc-idUSN0925143320070310|title=Foreign musicians ride coattails of Indian stars |publisher=Reuters|date=7 March 2007|access-date=14 August 2017}}|certref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|id=200647|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120021438/http://artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/200647.htm|archive-date=20 November 2010|access-date=11 August 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Gold|relmonth=10|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Gold|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|certweek=52|access-date=August 29, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Gold|relmonth=10|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|id=5628-2807-2|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|type=album|artist=Robbie Williams|title=Rudebox|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|access-date=14 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070709011419/http://www.rudebox74.com/flash.html Official web page]
• [http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/music/74/robbie_williams_rudebox.htm Rudebox details in cosmopolis.ch]

{{Robbie Williams}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2006 albums

Category:Robbie Williams albums

Category:Albums produced by Mark Ronson

Category:Albums produced by William Orbit