I've Been Expecting You
After the success of Angels, Robbie was embraced as a national icon. Continuing his firmly established and successful partnership with Guy Chambers, I've Been Expecting You was released in late '98.
The album was penned mainly in Jamaica, during a jovial ‘luxury writing holiday' (as Guy called it!). It was also during his relationship with All Saints' Nicole Appleton - the album displayed a mix of different influences, namely from those closest to him.
Writing for his fanzine, Robbie said: "Most of the songs I've written are really personal, especially These Dreams, which is like another Angels. It actually made me cry when I first wrote it."
The album cemented Robbie's status as pop royalty, winning respect from peers and critics alike. After a summer spent wowing the crowds at the festivals, people now recognised the sheer force of his talent. Along with the London Session Orchestra, The Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant and The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon both featured on the album, providing backing vocals for No Regrets.
"I got a 'phone call saying 'do you want to come down?" said Neil Hannon. "And with him being a great cultural icon, I thought it would be churlish to refuse."
Other key tracks from the album included Millennium - which became Robbie's first long awaited no. 1 in September '98 - She's The One, and Strong.
The band included musical director Guy Chambers on keyboards and guitar, Gary Nuttall and Alex Dickson on guitars, Chris Sharrock on drums, Fil Eisler on bass and Claire Worrall also on keyboards and guitar.
Collectors' Edition
Each of Robbie's first seven studio albums, including I've Been Expecting You, have been upgraded and expanded with an extra DVD full of previously unreleased material! Also available on digital download and as a digital video album (if you're only after those vintage Robbie videos), you can order your copy below. Scroll down to see the full tracklist.
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Highest UK chart position: No. 1
I've Been Expecting You shot straight to the UK's No.1 on its release. selling more than 2.5 million copies in the UK and Ireland alone, it also made its mark on the European and Latin American charts.
Releases
| Titel | Track Length | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | 4:58 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| No Regrets | 5:10 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Millennium | 4:05 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Phoenix From the Flames | 4:02 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Win Some Lose Some | 4:18 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Grace | 3:11 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| It's Only Us | 2:52 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Heaven From Here | 3:05 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Karma Killer | 4:26 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| She's The One | 4:18 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Man Machine | 3:34 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available |
| Titel | Track Length | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | 4:58 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| No Regrets | 5:10 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Millennium | 4:05 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Phoenix From the Flames | 4:02 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Win Some Lose Some | 4:18 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Grace | 3:11 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| It's Only Us | 2:52 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Heaven From Here | 3:05 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Karma Killer | 4:26 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| She's The One | 4:18 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
| Man Machine | 3:34 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| These Dreams | 5:08 | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Millennium (Top Of The Pops 28/08/98) | 3:34 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Man Machine (Top Of The Pops 28/08/98) | 3:22 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| No Regrets (Top Of The Pops Special 30/08/00) | 5:06 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Strong (Later…with Jools Holland 13/11/98) | 4:26 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Karma Killer (Later...with Jools Holland 13/11/98) | 4:07 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| Interview (Later...with Jools Holland 13/11/98) | 4:45 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| It's Only Us (Top Of The Pops 26/11/99) | 2:51 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available | |
| She's The One (Wetten daß?!, Germany 11/12/99) | 4:13 | No lyrics available | Buy | Robbie says isn't available |
"I've Been Expecting You is certainly entertaining, laden with catchy songs in a range of styles that form an unlikely bridge between Britpop and teenypop... Williams, a performer of considerable character, easily holds centre stage. He has established himself as a sharp-witted lyricist and demonstrates growing confidence in his singing when he occasionally launches into a tender falsetto."
Daily Telegraph, October ‘98
"Guitar-fuelled tunes yer Britpop-loving Dad will be into, Abba-esque mini-masterpieces yer mum will wipe a tear to, and sure-fire hits that the whole pub will sing along to when the guy with a quid and a touch of irony chooses Robbie on the jukebox. You won't get away from this."
i-D, November ‘98
"Make or break time for the former Take That goon, an awful lot resting on the quality (or otherwise) of Robbie Williams's second album. As it transpired, I've Been Expecting You ably proved - through sheer ebullience - that here stood pop's greatest entertainer."
Q, January ‘99
Albums
- Live: Take The Crown Stadium Tour 2013
- Live At The O2
- Take The Crown
- Progress Live
- Progressed
- Progress
- In And Out Of Consciousness: The Greatest Hits 1990-2010
- Reality Killed The Video Star
- Rudebox
- Intensive Care
- Greatest Hits
- Live at Knebworth
- Escapology
- Swing When You're Winning
- Sing When You're Winning
- The Ego Has Landed
- I've Been Expecting You
- Life Thru a Lens
Buchs
Documentaries
Interviews
- Disney Pixar Talk To Robbie About Cars 2
- Five Go (Amost) Mad: The Take That Interview
- Robbie Talks To Q Magazine
- Confessions Of A Success Addict
- Observer Sport Monthly Interview
- Robbie Talks To The Big Issue
- Rude And Ready
- Sky Magazine
- Music Week
- A Close Encounters Catch Up
- Robbie Meets Nick Duerden
- 2002 MSN Webchat
- 2000 MSN Webchat
- 1999 MSN Webchat
Singles
- Be A Boy
- Different
- Candy
- When We Were Young
- Love Love
- Kidz
- The Flood
- Shame
- Morning Sun
- You Know Me
- Bodies
- She's Madonna
- Lovelight
- Rudebox
- Sin Sin Sin
- Advertising Space
- Tripping
- Misunderstood
- Radio
- Sexed Up
- Something Beautiful
- Come Undone
- Feel
- Somethin' Stupid
- Eternity/The Road to Mandalay
- Let Love Be Your Energy
- Supreme
- Kids
- Rock DJ
- No Regrets/Antmusic
- She's The One/It's Only Us
- Strong
- Millennium
- Let Me Entertain You
- Angels
- South Of The Border
- Lazy Days
- Old Before I Die