About
Motherfucker was released in 2016 as part of Heavy Entertainment Show. Written by Robbie Williams and Tim Metcalfe, and produced by Guy Chambers and Richard Flack, it originated during sessions in Los Angeles in 2013. Williams conceived the song while driving to an event for Radio 1’s Big Weekend, humming lines over a rough guitar loop sent by Metcalfe. The finished track combined swaggering rock with tongue-in-cheek sentiment, and became one of the album’s defining statements.
Although widely known as a dedication to his son Charlie, the song was actually written before Charlie’s birth. Williams later added a middle section “We all believe you’re going to break the chain” to make the connection explicit. Beneath its irreverent humour, the lyric explores family history and resilience, celebrating imperfection while acknowledging inherited flaws. The refrain “You’re a bad motherfucker” reframes defiance as affection and pride.
Williams explained that the song’s spirit recalled the excitement he felt as a teenager hearing taboo language in music. He saw it as both a parental blessing and a mischievous celebration of youth. Its mix of tenderness and bravado reflected his long-standing ability to merge comedy with confession, turning profanity into an anthem of love and rebellion.
“If I’d had somebody write a song for me when I was 13, this is the song I’d have liked for me. Son, you’re a motherfucker.”Robbie Williams
Originally recorded during the Swings Both Ways sessions, the track also features uncredited backing vocals from Olly Murs. Williams premiered an acoustic version on the 2015 Let Me Entertain You Tour, accompanying himself on guitar, before re-recording it for the new album. Critics described it as a highlight of his live sets, praising its blend of humour, honesty and raw energy.
Lyrics
I think it's time you knew the score
Why you feel weird
One day you're gonna be told about
How daddy let his demons out
Yeah, he made them scream and shout
One day soon you'll be old enough
You'll go out on your own and stuff
If you start losing hold of love, it's because:
Your uncle sells drugs
Your cousin is a cutter
Your grandma is a fluffer
Your granddad's in the gutter
Your mother is a nutter
Your mother is a nutter
We are mad motherfuckers
You're a bad motherfucker
And I'd like to sing a song that says that you'll be fine
But now you know me so you know that I'd be lying
One of the things you get from me and your mother
Is that we're bad motherfuckers, you're a bad motherfucker
Helps to know where you come from
When days are hard, and things go wrong
I pray our weakness makes you strong
Well, strangers come and lovers leave
You can rest assured we'll always be
Your ever-loving family
So before you leave when you're old enough
When you go out on your own and stuff
You start losing hold of love, it's because:
Your uncle sells drugs
Your cousin is a cutter
Your grandma is a fluffer
Your granddad's in the gutter
Your mother is a nutter
Your mother is a nutter
We are mad motherfuckers
You're a bad motherfucker
And I'd like to sing a song that says that you'll be fine
But now you know me so you know that I'd be lying
One of the things you get from me and your mother
Is that we're bad motherfuckers, you're a bad motherfucker
We all believe, that you're gonna break the chain
We all believe, that you're the one
We all believe, that the angels are watching over you, my son
Because:
Your uncle sells drugs
Your cousin is a cutter
Your grandma is a fluffer
Your granddad's in the gutter
Your mother is a nutter
Your mother is a nutter
We are mad motherfuckers
You're a bad motherfucker
And I'd like to sing a song that says that you'll be fine
But now you know me so you know that I'd be lying
One of the things you get from me and your mother
Is that we're bad motherfuckers, you're a bad motherfucker
Your uncle sells drugs
Your cousin is a cutter
Your grandma is a fluffer
Your granddad's in the gutter
Your mother is a nutter
Your mother is a nutter
We are mad motherfuckers
You're a bad motherfucker
And I'd like to sing a song that says that you'll be fine
But now you know me so you know that I'd be lying
One of the things you get from me and your mother
Is that we're bad motherfuckers, you're a bad motherfucker
Credits
-
Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Chris Heath, Tim Metcalfe, Flynn Francis