"Bodies"
Single by Robbie Williams
from the album Reality Killed the Video Star
Released12 October 2009
Recorded2008–2009 (London, United Kingdom)
Genre
Length
  • 4:03 (album version)
  • 4:14 (music video)
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)
  • Robbie Williams
  • Brandon Christy
  • Craig Russo
Producer(s)Trevor Horn
Robbie Williams singles chronology
"Close My Eyes"
(2009) 		"Bodies"
(2009) 		"You Know Me"
(2009)
Music video
"Bodies" on YouTube

"Bodies" is a song by English recording artist Robbie Williams. It was released on 12 October 2009 by EMI as the lead single from his eighth studio album Reality Killed the Video Star (2009). It received its premiere on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 after an interview with Williams on 4 September 2009 at 8 am.[1] It is Williams' first single release as a solo artist since "She's Madonna" in March 2007.[2]

Producer Trevor Horn told Simon Mayo (who filled in for Chris Evans for an episode of his BBC radio show in October 2009) that the song’s trademark swooping bass riff was inspired by the song “Stay Where You Are”, which appeared on the album Faded Seaside Glamour by British indie band Delays.[3]

"Bodies" entered and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, selling 89,000 copies in its first week and attaining his best first-week sales since "Rock DJ" in August 2000.[4] Williams was beaten to number 1 by Alexandra Burke, whose single "Bad Boys" (featuring rapper Flo Rida) was released on the same day and sold 187,000 in the same week.[5] The cover art was photographed by Julian Broad.

Track listing

International CD single
  1. "Bodies" – 4:04
  2. "Bodies" (Body Double Remix) – 6:14
Digital EP
  1. "Bodies" – 4:04
  2. "Bodies" (Body Double Remix) – 6:14
  3. "Bodies" (Fred Falke Remix) – 6:53
  4. "Bodies" (Cahill Refix Edit) – 3:50

Lyrics

The song's cryptic lyrics, with a wide variety of religious references included, have been subject to a lot of speculation. In an October 2010 interview with Q magazine, Williams referred to the lyrics as "fucking gibberish" that he considered pointless. He also stated that "Who knows what I was going on about? I was fucking stoned."[6]

Music video

The music video for "Bodies" was filmed in the Mojave Desert, directed by Williams' frequent collaborator Vaughan Arnell and features Williams' then girlfriend, and eventual wife (married 2010), Ayda Field. It had its official premiere on 9 September 2009.

Critical reception

Popjustice called the song "a confident, dignified comeback single with a big chorus" commenting that the song is "better than: 'Let Me Entertain You' , as good as: 'Rock DJ', not as good as: 'Feel'." and adding that: "'Bodies' is not a comeback single that takes many chances – it is, career wise, Robbie's most important single since 'Angels' and there's obviously a certain amount of brand rebuilding needed. But nor is it a comeback single that attempts to pretend the last three years haven't happened. [...] 'Bodies' sounds like Robbie and Trevor Horn bringing out the best in each other – in this case 'the best' equalling a big comeback single from Britain's best male popstar."[7]

Digital Spy gave the single four stars (out of five) and said that: "With an Ian Brown-esque funky strut, some monkish chanting and plenty of electro squelches, he hasn't completely ditched the not-so-successful experimentation of his last LP, but this time around he counterbalances it with a whopping great chorus that will have even Gary Barlow green with envy. [...] Packed full of his usual raised eyebrow cheekiness and with a barmy-but-bloody-massive bridge, we're still not entirely sure what the Robster's actually singing about. However, by the time he's launched into the choir-backed crescendo, on which he hollers like a hyperactive preacher, we're too sold to care. Welcome back Robbie – and don't leave it so long next time."[8]

At a Southend gig in September 2012, Robbie commented that "Bodies" and "Rudebox" were both "lame songs" and that he had "let himself down". However, after fans spoke up against his claims via YouTube comments, he added the song to the setlist for his stadium tour for the following album.[citation needed]

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] Gold 35,000^
Germany (BVMI)[49] Gold 150,000^
Italy (FIMI)[50] Platinum 20,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[51] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] Silver 250,000[52]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Release date Format Label(s)
United Kingdom 4 September 2009 Airplay
Australia 9 October 2009 CD single
Germany[54]
Austria
Switzerland
United Kingdom 11 October 2009 Digital download
  • Virgin Records
  • EMI
France[55] 12 October 2009 CD single
United Kingdom
Mexico[56] 13 October 2009 Digital download EMI

References

  1. ^ RW.com "Bodies" single cover Archived 12 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 4 September 2009
  2. ^ "Bodies" Songfacts, 9 September 2009
  3. ^ Delays interview, 15 October 2009
  4. ^ Petridis, Alexis (21 October 2009). "First night: Robbie Williams, Roundhouse, London | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
  5. ^ "Alexandra Burke v. Robbie Williams". Digital Spy. 18 October 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2009.
  6. ^ Roberts, Laura (22 October 2010). "Robbie Williams: my comeback single was gibberish". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  7. ^ Popjustice "Bodies" review, 4 September 2009
  8. ^ "Music – Singles Reviews – Robbie Williams: 'Bodies'". Digital Spy. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  9. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ Robbie Williams — Bodies. TopHit. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  14. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200946 into search.
  15. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". Tracklisten.
  16. ^ "Hits of the World: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 43. 31 October 2009. p. 51.
  17. ^ "Listat – Radio Nova – Suomen suosituimmat vko 42/2009".
  18. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in French). Les classement single.
  19. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  21. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Bodies". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Robbie Williams Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  24. ^ "Luxembourg Digital Songs – November 14, 2009". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  25. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  26. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  27. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". Top 40 Singles.
  28. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". VG-lista.
  29. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200943 into search.
  30. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies" Canciones Top 50.
  31. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". Singles Top 100.
  32. ^ "Robbie Williams – Bodies". Swiss Singles Chart.
  33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  34. ^ "Robbie Williams Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  35. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  36. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2009" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  37. ^ "Year End Charts: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2009" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  39. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2009" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  40. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2009" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  41. ^ "FIMI – Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana – Ricerche e dati di mercato". Fimi.it. 19 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  42. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2009". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  43. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2009" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  44. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2009". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  45. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2009". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  46. ^ "European Hot 100". Billboard. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  47. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2010" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  48. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  49. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Robbie Williams; 'Bodies')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  50. ^ "Italian single certifications – Robbie Williams – Bodies" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 1 April 2012. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Bodies" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  51. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Bodies')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  52. ^ Myers, Justin (24 October 2014). "Number 1 today in 2009: Alexandra Burke blocks Robbie Williams' comeback". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  53. ^ "British single certifications – Robbie Williams – Bodies". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  54. ^ "Bodies: Robbie Williams: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  55. ^ "Bodies: Robbie Williams: Amazon.fr: Musique". Amazon.fr. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  56. ^ "Bodies: Robbie Williams in iTunes Mexico". iTunes Mexico. Retrieved 1 November 2009.[permanent dead link]

External links

Robbie Williams singles
Authority control databases
Categories