Robbie Williams & Gary Barlow: 'Shame'

It was always going to happen... after their successful Greatest Hits tour and two number one albums, Robbie has finally decided to fly back to the reformed Take That nest. Reality Killed the Video Star restored enough credibility to the Robster's own solo career to make it clear he's doing it for the right reasons, and before the full-blown TT return, we get this amuse-bouche of a duet. It'll also be neatly tacked on to Williams's career-spanning (and solo career-ending?) 'Best Of' comp.

So, are our bouches sufficiently amused? Well, the Brokeback antics of the video have maybe overshadowed the song, and given its light 'n' fluffy lilt, you can perhaps understand why. It's pleasant enough stuff, kicking off with some twangy acoustic guitar pilfered from The Beatles' 'Blackbird' before Grobbie do their thing. Rob channels Rashomon in his retelling of their original split ("Well there's three versions of this story / Mine and yours and then the truth"), while Gaz recalls his earlier attempts at reconciliation ("I read your mind and tried to call / My tears could fill the Albert Hall"). It may lack a bit of punch - it's certainly no 'Patience', 'Back For Good' or 'Pray' - but it sounds awfully sweet and, more importantly, absolutely genuine. Roll on Progress, then.


> Click here to watch the 'Shame' video