Old Before I Die

About

Old Before I Die marked Robbie Williams' first major step into solo stardom, released in April 1997 as his debut single from Life Thru a Lens. Co-written with Guy Chambers and Desmond Child, it fused Britpop guitar energy with classic rock ambition.

The song set out a manifesto of self-preservation and reinvention. Its driving rhythm and hook-laden chorus framed a singer intent on outgrowing boyband expectations and claiming a new artistic identity.

I didn't want to be remembered for what I'd already done. I wanted a future, not just a past.Robbie Williams

Produced by Steve Power, the track leaned on punchy guitars, layered harmonies, and a radio-ready sheen. Critics heard echoes of late-90s Britpop alongside a melodic sensibility that would define Williams' partnership with Chambers.

We wanted it to sound big, like a statement of intent. It had to tell people he was here to stay.Guy Chambers

Old Before I Die peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, a breakthrough that proved Williams could carry hits under his own name. The success opened the way for the album's later singles to broaden his range.

Directed by Vaughan Arnell, the video used circus and performance imagery to mirror the spectacle and absurdity of fame, positioning Williams as a knowing ringmaster rather than a passenger to celebrity.

In retrospect, the single functions as the opening chapter of Williams' solo narrative: defiant, hook-driven, and clear about its purpose. It remains a cornerstone of his early catalogue and a blueprint for the confidence that followed.