Robbie Williams ties The Beatles’ record with 15 UK No. 1 albums, showcasing his enduring impact on the music industry
Credit : X @MusicWeek
To Robbie Williams fans, here’s a bit of a mixed bag. Our Rob has just notched up his 15th UK number one album, putting him right up there with The Beatles!
That’s a proper achievement, isn’t it? However, this chart-topping success comes as his biopic, Better Man, is struggling to pull in the crowds at the cinema.
Chart-Topping soundtrack: Robbie Williams equals The Beatles’ record
The album in question is the soundtrack to Better Man, the film about Robbie’s life story. It’s stormed the charts, outselling the rest of the Top 5 combined.
That’s a testament to Robbie’s enduring popularity with the British public. This latest number one joins a long list of chart-toppers, including Life Thru a Lens (1997), Swings Both Ways (2013), and The Heavy Entertainment Show (2016). The soundtrack features updated versions of some of Robbie’s biggest hits, like ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘Angels,’ as well as Take That’s ‘Relight My Fire’ and a brand-new track, ‘Forbidden Road.’ Robbie himself is clearly chuffed, telling the Official Charts Company: “What a huge honour it is to get my 15th UK No 1 album. A special thank you to all my fans, whose support I never take for granted. I’m so proud of the film Better Man, so to have the soundtrack reach No 1 makes it even more special.”
Box office struggles: Better man falters despite critical praise
While the soundtrack is flying high, the film itself is having a bit of a harder time. Despite receiving some glowing reviews from critics, Better Man is struggling at the box office, both in the UK and the US. Made on a hefty budget of around $115 million, the film has only raked in a disappointing $4.7 million (£3.7 million) in the UK and a measly $1 million in its opening weekend in the US. Ouch. Some industry experts reckon the film’s high production costs are partly to blame, while others suggest that Robbie’s appeal is much stronger in the UK than in the US, where he never quite managed to crack the Billboard Top 50 as a solo artist.
A Bold move: CGI chimp Robbie sparks audience debate
One of the more… unusual aspects of the film is the portrayal of Robbie by a CGI chimpanzee, brought to life by actor Jonno Davies. This bold artistic choice has certainly divided audiences, with some finding it a stroke of genius and others finding it a bit bonkers. David A.
Gross, of the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, described it as ‘an outlandish choice,’ adding that while the risk-taking was commendable, the budget was unrealistic. However, some critics, like Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent, have praised the film’s creativity, arguing that the CGI chimp actually works, conveying the “agony and ecstasy of pop star Robbie Williams” rather effectively. So, while Better Man might not be a box office smash, its chart-topping soundtrack proves that Robbie Williams still has a massive following and a knack for creating music that resonates with the masses.
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