Different

About

Different was released on 17 December 2012 as the second single from Take the Crown. Written by Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Jacknife Lee, the track was one of the album’s most personal moments, contrasting with the exuberance of Candy. Although it peaked at number 64 on the UK Singles Chart, it was praised for its orchestral arrangement and emotional honesty, qualities that reaffirmed Williams’s skill as a ballad writer.

The song’s dramatic production, arranged by Jacknife Lee, pairs piano and strings with a sweeping vocal performance. Williams described Different as a statement about relationships, friendship and forgiveness, adding that it was “the most personal song on the album.” Barlow’s involvement brought a classic melodic sensibility to the composition, while Lee’s layered instrumentation enhanced its cinematic scope.

Lyrically, Different captures the tension between pride and vulnerability in human connection. Lines such as “You’d rather be right than be loved” reflect self-awareness and regret, delivered with characteristic theatricality. The song’s tone of introspection was seen as a continuation of Williams’s collaborative evolution with Barlow following their reconciliation in 2010.

“It’s the one I’ve been most connected to in an emotional way. Relationships with friends past and friends present — it’s very difficult to talk about, but I needed to write it.”Robbie Williams

The accompanying video, directed by Andrew “W.I.Z.” Whiston, presents Williams as both an orchestra conductor and a conflicted gangster, intercutting performance footage with a noir-style narrative. Critics viewed the song as a mature counterpoint to Candy, highlighting Williams’s versatility and his continuing ability to balance bravado with vulnerability in his songwriting.