John's Gay

About

Written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, John’s Gay was released as a B-side to the 2000 single Kids. Its title, phrasing and lyrical subject made it one of Williams’ most striking early B-sides — an autobiographical reflection on adolescence, empathy and cruelty. The song revisits school-day memories of identity, bullying and lost innocence with a mix of regret and affection.

Williams told biographer Chris Heath that “every word in this song is true,” though the real classmate was not actually named John. He explained that it was written to capture “the sadness of how lovely it was to be there and how magical it all was and how being grown-ups is very real.” The lyric “Rain’s never cold when you’re young” echoes a similar line from Strong, contrasting carefree childhood with the harsher perspective of adulthood.

It’s trying to capture the sadness of how lovely it was to be there, and how magical it all was, and how being grown-ups is kind of responsibility and very real.Robbie Williams

Musically, the track follows a sharp indie-rock energy with raw guitars and an urgent vocal delivery. Williams sings the refrain with conviction rather than mockery, reclaiming the insult of the title and turning it into a comment on prejudice and nostalgia. The inclusion of everyday teenage details — BMX bikes, graffiti and small-town boredom — adds authenticity to its setting.

Though overlooked in official compilations, John’s Gay endures as one of Williams’ most emotionally grounded B-sides, balancing social awareness with the humour and honesty that marked his early writing partnership with Chambers.