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
| Title | Track Length | Lyrics | Buy | Robbie says | |
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| Strong | 4:58 |
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| No Regrets | 5:10 |
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| Millennium | 4:05 |
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| Phoenix From the Flames | 4:02 |
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| Win Some Lose Some | 4:18 |
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| Grace | 3:11 |
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| It's Only Us | 2:52 |
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Buy |
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| Heaven From Here | 3:05 |
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Buy |
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| Karma Killer | 4:26 |
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Buy |
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| She's The One | 4:18 |
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| Man Machine | 3:34 |
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| These Dreams | 5:08 |
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| Millennium (Top Of The Pops 28/08/98) | 3:34 |
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| Man Machine (Top Of The Pops 28/08/98) | 3:22 |
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| No Regrets (Top Of The Pops Special 30/08/00) | 5:06 |
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| Strong (Later…with Jools Holland 13/11/98) | 4:26 |
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| Karma Killer (Later...with Jools Holland 13/11/98) | 4:07 |
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| Interview (Later...with Jools Holland 13/11/98) | 4:45 |
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| It's Only Us (Top Of The Pops 26/11/99) | 2:51 |
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| She's The One (Wetten daß?!, Germany 11/12/99) | 4:13 |
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"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
