Robbie Williams: Go Gentle

The lead single from Robbie Williams’ second swing record – the provocatively-titled Swings Both Ways: sequel to his most successful record Swing When You’re Winning – won’t cause any revolutions, nor will it see Robbie reclaim his pop crown (although hours ago he was named ’Pop Idol’ at the Q Awards, so maybe things aren’t too dire for RW), however it is another in the quickly-growing canon of quality Guy Chambers/Robbie Williams penned tracks.

This single contains less ’swing’ then the record’s premise may suggest, instead being a pleasant mid-tempo romp, and while it may prove too inconsequential to receive any major airplay, it certainly won’t be as divisive as something like, say, 2006’s Rudebox – an era of Williams’ career we’d all be best to forget. This bodes well for the numerous singles to be plucked from this single – as does the fact that Lily Allen, Rufus Wainwright, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Buble all lend vocals to tracks from the record.