Gold (Alternative Version)

About

Gold (Alternative Version) appears on the Deluxe edition of Under the Radar Vol. 3. It is the second mix of the track, which Robbie Williams shared with fans during his online “song battle” series before the album’s release. In those sessions, Williams invited listeners to choose between two versions, one described as lo-fi and the other as “much louder.” While the original mix won the public vote, this alternative version was later included as a bonus download for collectors and superfans.

Produced by Karl Brazil and Ben Castle, the alternative mix features a bolder, more dynamic sound. The percussion and bassline are pushed higher in the mix, the synths shimmer with added clarity, and the chorus surges with greater intensity. Where the original has a nostalgic warmth and restraint, this mix amplifies its cinematic 1980s inspiration, echoing the grandeur of film soundtracks and power-pop anthems from that decade.

The lyrics remain unchanged, celebrating youthful optimism and ambition through lines like “Never gonna lose that wonder, fall under your control, go out and paint the world, make it gold.” However, the altered production lends the track a more euphoric, stadium-ready atmosphere, transforming it from a nostalgic reflection into a full-scale celebration.

“It harks back to those John Hughes movies of the 80s. The alternative mix is just bigger — more of that punch-the-air feeling.”Robbie Williams

Fans appreciated having both versions, noting how the alternative mix revealed the production detail and emotional scope of the song. Together, the two versions of Gold capture the dual nature of Under the Radar Vol. 3 — a collection that balances intimacy and spectacle, reflection and celebration, with Williams at his most nostalgic and self-assured.