Deceptacon

About

Deceptacon appears on Reality Killed The Video Star, positioned in the centre of the album. Despite its title’s similarity to the Transformers villains, the song’s focus is emotional rather than literal, using the idea of deception as a metaphor for mistrust and fractured identity. It was never issued as a single but is often cited as one of the album’s most striking and dynamic tracks.

The song was written by Robbie Williams with Kelvin Andrews, Danny Spencer, Richard Scott and Scott Ralph, and produced by Trevor Horn. Originating from Williams’s Stoke songwriting circle, it was later expanded by Horn at Sarm Studios in London, who added layers of orchestration, synths and backing vocals. The result blends rock, pop and electronic textures, combining Soul Mekanik’s rhythmic base with Horn’s trademark cinematic production.

Lyrically, Deceptacon examines authenticity and performance, portraying a narrator wary of appearances and false intentions. The wordplay of the title reflects Williams’s fascination with masks and manipulation, linking thematically to the album’s wider reflections on fame, truth and renewal. Its widescreen sound and urgent tone make it one of the record’s emotional turning points.

“We brought the demos, they were great. They were good to go. Then Trevor added 30 to 40% on top of that and that’s a big leap.”Robbie Williams

Though it received no single release, Deceptacon has been praised by critics and fans for its ambition and energy. It captures the blend of introspection and spectacle that defines Reality Killed The Video Star, standing as one of the clearest examples of how Williams and Horn balanced experimentation with classic pop structure.