About
Millennium was reimagined for XXV with a full orchestral arrangement by Steve Sidwell, transforming Robbie Williams’s 1998 hit from I’ve Been Expecting You into a grand cinematic piece. The original’s sampling of John Barry’s theme for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice is further developed here, with sweeping brass and strings amplifying its spy-movie aesthetic.
While retaining the iconic bassline and rhythmic drive of the original, the XXV version expands the Bond influence into something more overtly symphonic. The brass stabs and percussion are sharper and more defined, lending a sense of drama and mischief that suits Williams’s tongue-in-cheek swagger. His vocal is delivered with a smoother tone, slightly lower in key, giving the song an air of knowing maturity rather than youthful arrogance.
Critics highlighted the new orchestration’s cinematic scale, noting how it reframed Millennium as the “Bond theme that never was.” In interviews, Williams himself admitted mixed feelings about performing the song over the years, yet praised this updated version for rekindling his connection with it.
“Millennium sounds completely different to the original, and I think the result is epic.”Robbie Williams
The orchestral Millennium captures both nostalgia and reinvention, embracing the theatrical flair that has always defined Williams’s work. By leaning into its Bond-inspired origins, the song becomes a fitting emblem of XXV—a project built on reflection, showmanship and enduring melody.
Lyrics
Some say that we are pawns
But we've been making money
Since the day that we were born
Got to slow down, 'cos we're low down
Run around in circles
Live a life of solitude
'Till we find ourselves a partner
Someone to relate to
Then we will slow down
Before we fall down
We've got stars directing our fate
And we're praying it's not too late
'Cos we know we're falling from grace
Millennium
Live for liposuction
A detox for your rent
Overdose at Christmas
And give it up for Lent
My friends are all so cynical
Refuse to keep the faith
We all enjoy the madness
'Cos we know
We've got stars directing our fate
And we're praying it's not too late
'Cos we know we're falling from grace
Millennium
Come and have a go if you think you are hard enough
Come and have a go if you think you are hard enough
Millennium
Millennium
We've got stars directing our fate
and we're praying it's not too late
'Cos we know we're falling from grace
Millennium
And when we come we always come too late
I often think that we were born to hate
Get up and see the sarcasm in my eyes
And when we come we always come too late
I often think that we were born to hate
Get up and see the sarcasm in my eyes
Millennium
Millennium
And we won't stop
Credits
-
Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, John Barry, Leslie Bricusse -
Engineered By
Richard Flack, Owen Parker, Thai Long Ly -
Mixing Engineer
Richard Flack -
Producer
Guy Chambers, Richard Flack -
Recording Engineer
Richard Flack -
Music Publisher
Farrell Music Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Ltd., EMI United Partnership Ltd