Mr Bojangles

About

Written and first recorded by American singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker in 1968, Mr Bojangles tells the bittersweet story of a street performer in a New Orleans jail who dances to lift the spirits of his fellow inmates. The song was inspired by a real-life encounter and became a modern standard, later covered by Sammy Davis Jr., who turned it into one of his signature pieces. Robbie Williams’ interpretation on Swing When You’re Winning pays homage to Davis’ version, blending melancholy storytelling with graceful swing.

Backed by a gentle orchestra and brushed drums, Williams sings with empathy and restraint, giving the lyric space to breathe. His phrasing recalls Davis’ smoky delivery, but with a contemporary warmth. The line “He spoke with tears of fifteen years, how his dog and him had travelled about” lands with quiet poignancy, reflecting Williams’ sensitivity to the song’s loneliness beneath the charm.

I’d been listening to Sammy Davis Jr. sing it for years. His phrasing and feel were ridiculous, and I didn’t think I’d get anywhere near it — but I pulled it off.Robbie Williams

Performed live at the Royal Albert Hall with understated theatricality — complete with a whistling outro — Mr Bojangles became one of the emotional peaks of Williams’ swing repertoire. Its themes of hope, regret and resilience mirrored the contradictions that ran through his own career: the entertainer forever dancing through pain. The result is one of the most heartfelt performances of his catalogue.