About
Written by guitarist Gary Nuttall, Often appeared as a B-side to Kids in October 2000 and was later included on Robbie Williams’ compilation In and Out of Consciousness. The track’s acoustic simplicity and conversational tone reflect Nuttall’s folk-rock background, offering a gentler counterpoint to Williams’ more polished pop output.
Performed with country inflections, the song captures the bittersweet cycles of human behaviour — doing the same things repeatedly, knowing they’re wrong but unable to stop. Williams delivers it with warmth and humour, letting the melody’s easy sway and steel guitar soften the self-reproach in lines like “It’s great when I know it isn’t.”
It’s one of Gary’s songs that I’m proud of, and I’m glad we put it out. It’s a lovely little tune, really honest.Robbie Williams
The song was later recorded by Nuttall himself for his 2007 solo album Dated Bedroom Ditties, but Williams’ version remains the definitive take for many fans. Its homespun charm and unpretentious lyricism make it a standout among his B-sides — an understated moment of reflection nestled in a period dominated by stadium-scale pop.
Lyrics
When I've been wrong
And boy have I been wrong
Often I won't need it
Till it's gone
But by then it's gone
Often I make the worst decisions
Say that it's great
When I know it isn't so
It's happening so
Often
Often I won't wake up
From a dream
You know I love to dream
And often I don't stand up
For what I believe
There's nothing left to believe
So often I make the worst decisions
Say that it's great
When I know it isn't so
It's happening so
I often wish that you were here
I could moan and bend your ears
Do do do do do do do do do do
Yeah yeah yeah
Often I don't see it
When I've been wrong
And boy have I been wrong
Often I won't need it
Till it's gone
And by then it's gone
Often, I make the worst decisions
Say that it's great
When I know it isn't so
It's happening so
It's happening so
Often
Credits
-
Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Gary Nuttall -
Original Artist
Gary Nuttall