Numb

About

Numb appears on Under the Radar Vol. 2 and was written by Robbie Williams, Ed Drewett and Steve Robson. It was produced by Robson, a long-time collaborator known for his work with Take That and Olly Murs. The track originated during a 2016 writing session introduced by Murs, when Williams met Robson and Drewett for the first time. Its contemplative tone and lush arrangement make it one of the most emotionally raw songs in the Under the Radar series.

Williams described Numb as a reflection of a period when he felt isolated and anxious despite sobriety and success. “There were no drugs, there wasn’t anything to numb that pain, but I felt numb,” he said. The song explores themes of detachment, fear and self-doubt through lyrics such as “’Cause I’ve been ticking like a time bomb, I’ve bit my tongue so much it’s all gone, my hands are tied and I’ve become so numb.” He compared its emotional weight to Feel, calling it a product of “a shit time that spurned a good song.”

Musically, the track builds from a delicate piano-led verse into a cinematic chorus driven by strings and soaring electric guitar. The arrangement evokes 1990s British pop melancholy, while Williams’ voice moves between soft introspection and falsetto intensity. He cited Pulp and Jarvis Cocker as inspirations for its mix of sadness and euphoria. The instrumental bridge allows space for reflection, highlighting the power of simplicity and restraint in the songwriting.

“Those moments can go on for months where I just don’t feel safe or capable of interacting with the world. But it’s in those moments that a song like this appears.”Robbie Williams

Numb became a favourite among fans for its vulnerability and rich production. At the Under the Radar live concert, Williams introduced it as a song that “should have been on a main album.” Critics praised its honesty and cinematic sweep, calling it one of his finest late-career ballads and a spiritual successor to Feel and Come Undone.