Gospel

About

Gospel is the second track on Take the Crown, written by Robbie Williams with Tim Metcalfe, Flynn Francis and producer Jacknife Lee. The song combines a soaring pop arrangement with autobiographical detail, recalling early relationships and the formative years of adolescence. It became a favourite in Williams’s live shows, notably for its bold closing line, “Drink to those who wish me well, and those that don’t, go fuck yourself.”

Williams explained that Gospel was inspired by his teenage experiences of first love and self-discovery. The title refers ironically to the intensity of youthful emotion rather than religion, and the lyric “I was 16, I was 14 actually, but 14 didn’t roll off the tongue” adds a wry honesty. Guest vocalist Lissie contributes the wordless vocal improvisation at the song’s conclusion, which Williams described as “the bit of craziness that takes it into another gear.”

Musically, the track reflects Jacknife Lee’s blend of electronic and live instrumentation, balancing rhythmic synths with anthemic choruses. The result is a melodic and dynamic production that bridges the introspection of Reality Killed the Video Star with the pop immediacy of Take the Crown. It was never released as a single but became one of the album’s defining statements of confidence and maturity.

“It’s about sex, the promise of the future and the hormones kicking in. It’s a song about youth, optimism and everything that follows.”Robbie Williams

Gospel was acclaimed by fans for its directness and humour, encapsulating Williams’s renewed creative freedom. Its celebratory tone and sharp final lyric made it a memorable live moment, demonstrating his instinct for combining sincerity with self-aware showmanship.