Man Machine

About

Man Machine, written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, brings a harder, industrial edge to I've Been Expecting You. Combining rock instrumentation with electronic textures, the song reflects Williams’ fascination with fame, masculinity and performance. It was featured on the soundtrack to Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), further cementing its reputation as one of his more aggressive and experimental tracks of the era.

In interviews ahead of the album’s release, Williams described Man Machine as “a song that’s going to cause fights” — an expression of its intensity rather than literal expectation. The lyrics juxtapose bravado and vulnerability, portraying a figure consumed by his own ego and insecurities. Chambers’ production layers distorted guitars, driving drums and a shouted refrain, creating a sound closer to alternative rock than the polished pop of Williams’ singles.

It’s about what happens when you start believing your own press. You end up half-man, half-machine.Robbie Williams

Though never released as a single, Man Machine became a highlight of Williams’ live sets during his 1998–99 tour, often opening with explosive energy. Critics noted its defiant tone and theatrical aggression, which contrasted sharply with the tenderness of tracks like She’s the One. The song’s swaggering self-awareness foreshadowed Williams’ later forays into darker, more confrontational material.