If I Only Had a Brain

About

If I Only Had a Brain appears on Swings Both Ways and is Robbie Williams’s rendition of the classic song from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Written by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, it was originally sung by Ray Bolger in his role as the Scarecrow. Williams’s version reimagines the tune with a rich orchestral arrangement while retaining its sense of whimsy and wonder.

Williams recorded the song as both a tribute to the golden age of film musicals and a tongue-in-cheek reflection on his own public persona. The lyrics, in which the Scarecrow longs for intelligence and self-awareness, are delivered with humour and warmth, blending sincerity with gentle self-mockery. Williams said he had always loved the original for its mix of innocence and irony, describing it as “a song that manages to be funny, sad and hopeful all at once.”

Musically, the recording stays faithful to the original melody but expands it with lush strings, muted brass and a subtle swing rhythm. The arrangement by Steve Sidwell gives the song a cinematic sweep, while Williams’s phrasing adds depth to its playful tone. His interpretation evokes both nostalgia for classic Hollywood and a modern performer’s knowing wink to the audience.

“It’s one of those perfect old songs that makes you smile every time. There’s something about its simplicity and sweetness that never gets old.”Robbie Williams

If I Only Had a Brain featured prominently on the Swings Both Ways tour, where Williams performed it surrounded by dancers in scarecrow costumes, combining vaudeville-style humour with Broadway-style spectacle. Its mix of charm and self-deprecating wit made it one of the most endearing moments of the show, reminding audiences that Williams’s greatest strength as an entertainer lies in his ability to balance elegance with playfulness.