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It's unlikely to be more than coincidence, but Geri Halliwell is followed by the man whom she'd probably have liked to see as a precedent - a high-profile member of a five-piece group who walked out at the height of their fame and became a major solo star. Indeed Robbie Williams was for several years the biggest pop star in Britain, eclipsing the success he'd had with Take That and clocking up a record-breaking number of Now appearances in the process (see below). Even though this was only his second solo Number One, he'd already reached a level of ubiquity that meant I couldn't stand the sight of him, and I did what I could to avoid it.
His profile has receded fairly rapidly in the last couple of years though, so it wasn't as hard as I thought to bring myself to listen to this one. So, the track then: it's a cover version of the little-known World Party song which was already the best part of a year old by the time it was afforded a single release as a double A with the previously-unreleased 'It's Only Us' (see Now 45). Surprisingly, it was this which proved to be the more popular side. It's a solid piece of writing from Karl Wallinger, but not one that arouses great passion in me. And much as I wouldn't have rushed to admit it, Williams puts in a decent performance - in fact it's probably the best singing on the album so far. I'm never going to love his voice or mannerisms, but this is him at his most tolerable.
Also appearing on: Now 34, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 45, 47, 48, 49, 51 (with Nicole Kidman), 52 (with 1 Giant Leap & Maxi Jazz), 54, 55, 56, 59, 60, 62, 63, 65, 66, 74
Available on: Greatest Hits
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