Hey Tiger

About

Hey Tiger was recorded by Robbie Williams for the Channel 4 animated adaptation of Judith Kerr’s 1968 children’s classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea, first broadcast on Christmas Day 2019. The song appeared midway through the film in a fantasy sequence showing the tiger in a series of imagined adventures, as seen through the eyes of the young protagonist, Sophie.

The track was written by composer David Arnold, with lyrics by Don Black, both multiple award winners in film and stage music. Black had previously collaborated with Williams on Morning Sun from Reality Killed the Video Star. Hey Tiger was released digitally on 19 December 2019 ahead of the television premiere.

Musically, the song has a whimsical swing arrangement in the style of Williams’s earlier big-band work. Bright brass and rhythm sections carry a light theatrical feel, supporting lyrics full of humour and warmth. Lines such as “Hey there, Tiger, glad you called, come on in, there’s lots of biscuits in the biscuit tin” and “Be more like a tiger than a rabbit, you can make a spirit soar by simply opening the door” capture the gentle wit of Don Black’s lyricism.

The song is jaunty and fun and kind of otherworldly, like the book is itself. There’s a lot of whimsy in it and a lot of words. Incredible words, of course, by Mr Don Black. It’s an honour to be singing the words that he’s written.Williams

Williams explained that he had read Kerr’s book “possibly 150 times” to his daughter Teddy and regarded it as a special bonding story. Black said the piece “captures the mood of innocence and youth and the delightful tale”, describing Williams as “ideal for it because it’s a show song and he’s great with a lyric”.

Critics and viewers noted that Hey Tiger was perfectly suited to Williams’s theatrical vocal style and sense of playfulness. Though written for children, its sophisticated swing arrangement and witty delivery echoed his established strength as a storyteller through song.