Feel (XXV)

About

Feel was newly arranged for XXV by Jules Buckley. Originally released in 2002 on Escapology, the song remains one of Robbie Williams’s most enduring anthems. The orchestral version heightens its spiritual intensity, preserving the piano-led structure that made it instantly recognisable while surrounding it with lush strings and choral harmonies.

Williams insisted that the iconic piano introduction be kept intact, understanding its central role in the song’s identity. Buckley’s arrangement builds from that quiet opening into an expansive soundscape featuring operatic backing vocals and sweeping orchestration. The new version emphasises the song’s emotional arc—from vulnerability to transcendence—mirroring its themes of searching for love and connection.

Williams has often described Feel as a deeply personal song, one that captures both longing and self-doubt. The re-recording retains that intimacy while offering a richer, more cinematic atmosphere. The singer’s deeper tone and measured phrasing bring a sense of reflection, as if revisiting a confession with wisdom rather than pain.

“It’s an epic song that’s been made even more epic. The orchestra gives it this godlike frequency.”Robbie Williams

Majestic yet intimate, the XXV version of Feel demonstrates how a familiar classic can gain new resonance through orchestration. It stands among the emotional high points of XXV, reaffirming the song’s status as one of Williams’s signature works.