"Old Before I Die" is a song by English singer-songwriter

Robbie Williams Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, and achieved commercial success after launching a solo career in 1996. His debut stud ...

, released as the first single from his debut album, ''

Life thru a Lens ''Life thru a Lens'' is the debut solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. It was Williams' first solo album following his departure from Take That. Released on 29 September 1997 through Chrysalis Records, it is influenced ...

'' (1997). The

Oasis In ecology, an oasis (; ) is a fertile area of a desert or semi-desert environment'ksar''with its surrounding feeding source, the palm grove, within a relational and circulatory nomadic system.” The location of oases has been of critical imp ...

-influenced song became a number-two hit in the United Kingdom and a number-one hit in Spain following its release on 14 April 1997.

Critical reception

Pan-European magazine ''

Music & Media ''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later ...

'' commented, "Williams certainly can't be accused of playing it safe in the wake of his departure from U.K popsters

Take That Take That are an English pop group formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen. The original line-up also featured Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. Barlow is the group's lead singe ...

. Instead, post-

Freedom Freedom is understood as either having the ability to act or change without constraint or to possess the power and resources to fulfill one's purposes unhindered. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving on ...

, he's opted for a radical change of musical direction. Gone is the sweet, middle of the road style, in favour of a solid and confident

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

sound, somewhat reminiscent of his new pals,

." A reviewer from ''

Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...

'' rated the song four out of five, describing it as "a confidently composed return from the former Take That man, boasting a strong vocal, tuneful

Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developme ...

esque melody and a ILR-friendly hook. On this evidence,

Owen Owen may refer to: Origin: The name Owen is of Irish and Welsh origin. Its meanings range from noble, youthful, and well-born. Gender: Owen is historically the masculine form of the name. Popular feminine variations include Eowyn and Owena. ...

, Barlow and co may be left in Williams shadow." The magazine's Martin Aston complimented it as "pure

Britpop Britpop was a mid-1990s British-based music culture movement that emphasised Britishness. It produced brighter, catchier alternative rock, partly in reaction to the popularity of the darker lyrical themes of the US-led grunge music and to the ...

/Beatles swagger and crunch." Ian Hyland from ''

Sunday Mirror The ''Sunday Mirror'' is the Sunday sister paper of the ''Daily Mirror''. It began life in 1915 as the ''Sunday Pictorial'' and was renamed the ''Sunday Mirror'' in 1963. In 2016 it had an average weekly circulation of 620,861, dropping marke ...

'' noted that the singer "has come up with some magic tracks", adding that songs like this are "stadium thrillers".

Music video

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

was made to accompany the song. It features

performing for the camera with ageing rock stars as his backing band, and some fade-ins by the cameraman. There are also shots of Williams flying through the air.

Track listings

* UK CD1 # "Old Before I Die" # "Better Days" # "Average B Side" * UK CD2 # "Old Before I Die" # "

Making Plans for Nigel "Making Plans for Nigel" is a song by the English rock band XTC that was released as the opening track and lead single from their 1979 album ''Drums and Wires'', by Virgin Records. It was written by Colin Moulding, the band's bassist. The lyrics a ...

" # "Kooks" * UK cassette single # "Old Before I Die" # "Making Plans for Nigel" # "Better Days" * European CD single # "Old Before I Die" # "Average B Side" * Australian CD single # "Old Before I Die" # "Kooks" # "Average B Side" # "Making Plans for Nigel" # "Better Days" * Japanese mini-album # "Old Before I Die" # "Kooks" # "Average B Side" # "Making Plans for Nigel" # "Better Days" # "

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the ''

'' album booklet. Studios * Recorded at Matrix Maison Rouge (London, England) * Mixed at Battery Studios (London, England) Personnel * Robbie Williams – writing, vocals, backing vocals *

Desmond Child John Charles Barrett (born October 28, 1953), known professionally as Desmond Child, is an American songwriter and producer. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. His hits as a songwriter include Kiss's "I Was Made for Lovi ...

– writing *

Eric Bazilian Eric M. Bazilian (born July 21, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer. Bazilian is a founding member of the rock band The Hooters. He wrote " One of Us", a song first recorded by Joan Osborne in 19 ...

– writing *

Steve McEwan Steve McEwan is a multi Grammy award winning British songwriter, artist, and musician. His songs have been recorded by country music artists including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, and Keith Urban. Outside of country, he has also ...

– backing vocals, guitar *

Guy Chambers Guy Antony Chambers (born 12 January 1963) is an English songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for his work with Robbie Williams. Education Chambers attended Quarry Bank Comprehensive School sixth form in Liverpool. From 18, h ...

– guitar, keyboards, production, arrangement * Fil Eisler – guitar, bass * Steve Power – keyboards, production, mixing *

Geoff Dugmore Geoff Dugmore (born 12 April 1960) is a Scottish drummer, musical director and producer. He was a member of the bands The Europeans, and Wildlife. Career Educated at Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow, Scotland, Dugmore started his musical career ...

– drums, percussion * Jim Brumby – Battery Studios assistant * Matt Hay – Matrix Maison Rouge assistant

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{Authority control 1997 songs 1997 singles Chrysalis Records singles English rock songs Number-one singles in Scotland Number-one singles in Spain Robbie Williams songs Song recordings produced by Guy Chambers Song recordings produced by Steve Power Songs written by Desmond Child Songs written by Eric Bazilian Songs written by Robbie Williams he:Life thru a Lens#Old Before I Die