Millennium

About

Millennium was released on 7 September 1998 as the lead single from I've Been Expecting You and became Robbie Williams’ first UK number one. Co-written with Guy Chambers, the song uses a rearranged orchestral sample from John Barry and Leslie Bricusse’s theme for the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. The decision to re-record the arrangement, rather than directly sample it, kept costs low while preserving its cinematic sweep.

Written during sessions in Dublin, the track reflects late-1990s cultural anticipation of the year 2000. Chambers suggested the title to capture the era’s preoccupation with the new millennium. Williams described it as “a fantasy about being the kind of person who’s got it all together,” blending irony with aspiration. The pair completed the song in just four hours.

Upon release, Millennium topped the UK chart for one week and achieved gold certification, with more than 400,000 physical sales. It reached the top ten in multiple countries and became Williams’ breakthrough in North America, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 72. Despite its success, Williams has often said he does not rate the song highly, describing it as a “B song” in his catalogue, though he continues to perform it live.

I’ve always fancied myself as the Sean Connery type on the quiet. Using that Bond sound just felt right.Robbie Williams

The video, directed by Vaughan Arnell and filmed at Pinewood Studios, parodies classic Bond tropes, complete with speedboats, tuxedos and a tongue-in-cheek bravado. It won Best Video at the 1999 Brit Awards. Critics praised its wit and self-awareness, marking a turning point in Williams’ visual style toward humour and theatricality. Millennium remains one of his most recognisable hits and a defining single of late-1990s British pop.