Summary
"Better Man" is a song by English pop singer Robbie Williams, released as the final single from his third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000), in October 2001. It was released only in Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. A music video for the Australian release was produced in 2001, reusing scenes from Williams' "Eternity" music video (since the single was not released in that territory) intercut with a live performance of "Better Man" from his The Sermon on the Mount Tour in Manchester, England, in October 2000, overdubbed with the studio version.
| "Better Man" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Robbie Williams | ||||
| from the album Sing When You're Winning | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 22 October 2001 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Length | 3:22 | |||
| Label | EMI, Chrysalis | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams | |||
| Producer(s) | Guy Chambers, Steve Power | |||
| Robbie Williams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Spanish version edit
Robbie Williams recorded a Spanish version of the song called "Ser mejor" ("To Be Better"). It was included on the Latin American pressings of Sing When You're Winning.[1]
Release and success edit
In New Zealand, "Better Man" began receiving airplay in late 2000. It eventually peaked at number four on the RIANZ Singles Chart for four weeks in December 2000 and January 2001.[2] The promotional disc of "Ser mejor" was sent to Latin American radio stations in 2001.[3] In Australia, "Better Man" was released as a CD single on 22 October 2001.[4] It appeared on the ARIA Singles Chart the following week, climbing to number eight during its ninth week on the chart and reaching its peak of number six on 20 January 2002, spending four nonconsecutive weeks at that position and remaining in the top 50 for 29 weeks.[5] It sold over 35,000 copies, earning a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[6]
Track listing edit
Australian CD single[5]
- "Better Man" – 3:24
- "My Way" (live) – 4:35
- "Rolling Stone" – 3:43
- "Toxic" – 3:51
- "Let Love Be Your Energy" (video) – 4:18
Credits and personnel edit
Credits are taken from the Sing When You're Winning album booklet.[7]
Studios
- Recorded at Master Rock Studios (North London, England) and Sarm Hook End (Reading, England)
- Mixed at Battery Studios (London, England)
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering (London, England)
Personnel
- Robbie Williams – writing, lead vocals
- Guy Chambers – writing, piano, orchestration, production, arrangement
- Dave Catlin-Birch – backing vocals, bass guitar
- Steve McEwan – backing vocals
- Gary Nuttall – backing vocals
- Phil Palmer – 12-string guitar
- Neil Taylor – electric guitars
- Chris Sharrock – drums
- Andy Duncan – percussion
- London Session Orchestra – orchestra
- Gavyn Wright – concertmaster
- Nick Ingman – orchestration
- Isobel Griffiths – orchestral contractor
- Steve Price – orchestral engineering
- Steve Power – production, mixing, Pro Tools
- Richard Flack – Pro Tools
- Tony Cousins – mastering
Charts edit
Certifications and sales edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[6] | Gold | 35,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ Sing When You're Winning (Mexican CD album liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2000. 7243 5 28505 2 5.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b "Robbie Williams – Better Man". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ Ser mejor (Mexican promo CD liner notes). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2001. 200 1329.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 22nd October 2001" (PDF). ARIA. 22 October 2001. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 February 2002. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ a b c "Robbie Williams – Better Man". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Sing When You're Winning (UK CD album booklet). Robbie Williams. Chrysalis Records. 2000. 7243 5 28125 2 3.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Hitoradio‧Hit Fm --華人音樂入口指標" (in Chinese). Hit FM. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2001". ARIA. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". ARIA. Retrieved 10 April 2021.