Music
Robbie Williams: 'She's Madonna'
Released on Monday, Mar 5 2007
Published Friday, Mar 2 2007, 14:26 GMT | By Nick Levine | 17 comments
Poor old Robbie Williams. Stuck in rehab with only press reports of Take That's comeback-clinching Brit award for company, he's just been given a 'Worst Album' gong by the NME. Ouch.
But 'She's Madonna', the third single from his Rudebox debacle, is better than the tabloid press would have you believe. Over a gurgling electro backing from the Pet Shop Boys, Robbie suppresses his usual self-indulgent whining to reveal an acute fascination with the Queen of Pop - "We're having drinks with Kate and Stella, Gwyneth's here and she's brought her fella" suggests someone's a fan of the 3am girls.
So, there you go, 'She's Madonna' is a decent exercise in damage limitation from pop's fallen hero. Who'd have guessed he'd sound so comfortable - his most convincing in years, actually - singing about one of the few people in the world who's more famous than him?
But 'She's Madonna', the third single from his Rudebox debacle, is better than the tabloid press would have you believe. Over a gurgling electro backing from the Pet Shop Boys, Robbie suppresses his usual self-indulgent whining to reveal an acute fascination with the Queen of Pop - "We're having drinks with Kate and Stella, Gwyneth's here and she's brought her fella" suggests someone's a fan of the 3am girls.
So, there you go, 'She's Madonna' is a decent exercise in damage limitation from pop's fallen hero. Who'd have guessed he'd sound so comfortable - his most convincing in years, actually - singing about one of the few people in the world who's more famous than him?
More: Music
Your Views
17 Comments
Your Responses
I don't really understand why robbie's latest album and singles flop in the uk. He's still big in europe. She's Madonna is top 5 in flanders, netherlands, germany, etc... Rudebox was one of the most played songs last year. Patience or Shine don't even make it into the top 20 over here... Are the Brits so easily influenced by the tabloids. She's Madonna is his best song in ages.
A decent exercise? It is a brilliant exercise. I have never been a Robbie fan but this song got me hooked. And Rudebox is not a bad album at all. Guys in NME don't know what they are doing. I have lost my respect for them long ago anyway.
Poor old Nick... This song is the best thing in 15 years in the pop. Thank you, Robbie and Pet!!!
Poor old Nick Levine... Only stupids don't hear sounds incredible like this.
Anything that Robbie does is fabulous, anyone who dosen't agree don't whinge about him, listen to something else. Yeah Rudebox is a little different to his other stuff, but Robbie is a genius and i dont call a number one album in over ten countries a flop in any way. Take That are bloody boring. I hope Rob gets better soon.
I Love the new single ‘She's Madonna’. I think that Electro-Pop sounds brilliant and is one of the best tracks on the BRILLIANT Rudebox album.
Love this song, it deserves far more airplay and recognition,as does the album.
Robbie needs to find Robert Williams, I've worked with him briefly in the TT days and he's a lovely bloke but seems to now be lost in his alter-ego...maybe he's too far gone. He also should stop being the singing comedy act. Switch the picture, take yourself seriously for once and dont worry about TTs success... in the end Joe Public is the client for all of us musicians!!!!!!!
It's a great song. In fact the majority of Rudebox is great..it's just that when someone is down it's easier for the press to keep kicking them than to offer real constructive criticism. Take That have not progressed in 12 years (except to get old !)..no new direction just the same old stuff. Come on Robbie, you can and will survive on top!
"She's Madonna" is a brilliant catchy tune - far superior to his colleague's "Shine". Rudebox was not a flop - it was was the No.1 album in the UK and 13 other countries and sold more than 3 million. As for the NME award - well James Blunt received it last year and he sold millions too -- it smells a little of "jealousy". Get well Robbie.
very good song
Kathy, Wigan, on March 3rd, 2007
She's Madonna just sounds like a boring old Pet Shop Boys song from the 1980's. It's nothing new.
She's Madonna just sounds like a boring old Pet Shop Boys song from the 1980's. It's nothing new.
She's Madonna is a decent song. In my opinion, it's the best track from Rudebox. It's a song not to be missed out.
I love Robbie's new song. He is getting so much support from his fans and family and with everything he has got going on just now the NME award will be the last thing on this mind. She's Madonna is amazing, and people think he is past his best but his best is yet to come!!
I thought it was a great song. The Beatles are good but this track's a lot better than Beatles, and as I just thought, not many people could sing this song. Would be good if Madonna wrote a song back about Robbie Williams, he'd honour that.
Huge Robbie fan, however agree that She's Madonna is one of the better songs on Rudebox.
fantasic song pet shop boys are the best