Kooks

About

Kooks appeared as a B-side to Old Before I Die and is a cover of the 1971 David Bowie song from his album Hunky Dory. Bowie originally wrote the track as a playful ode to his newborn son, Duncan Jones, celebrating unconventional parenthood with warmth and eccentricity.

Williams' version keeps the gentle acoustic framework of the original but adds a cleaner, more polished production typical of the late 1990s. It was recorded with Guy Chambers during the early sessions for Life Thru a Lens, reflecting Williams' growing interest in classic British songwriting.

While Bowie's original balances whimsy and affection, Williams' delivery is more straightforward, emphasising melody over theatricality. His vocal tone softens the quirkiness of the 1971 version, giving it a contemporary Britpop sheen while preserving its affectionate message.

The choice of song mirrors Williams' admiration for Bowie, an artist he has often cited as an influence. It also reveals the singer's fascination with themes of family and identity, both of which recur throughout his early solo work. At the time, reviewers noted that Williams' acoustic performance brought a sincerity that contrasted with the high energy of his singles.

Kooks remains one of Williams' more understated B-sides from the Life Thru a Lens period; a light, tender nod to one of British pop's defining figures and a reminder that even in his most restless years, Williams was already looking back to the songwriters who shaped him.