Old Before I Die (Crescent Moon Studios Demo, October 1996)

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Old Before I Die in its Crescent Moon Studios demo form appears on CD3 of the 25th anniversary edition of Life Thru a Lens. The recording dates from October 1996 and captures an early incarnation of the song before it became Robbie Williams’ first single of original material the following year.

The demo was recorded at Crescent Moon Studios in Miami and written by Williams alongside Desmond Child and Eric Bazilian, with production by Child. At this stage, the song was still being shaped, and the Miami sessions placed Williams in a very different creative environment from the later London recordings that would finalise the track.

Musically, the Crescent Moon demo differs notably from the released version. It runs at a slightly slower tempo and carries a looser, more reflective feel. The arrangement is less punchy, with guitars and rhythm taking a subtler role, while Williams’ vocal is more exposed. Several lyrical lines differ from the final release, offering insight into how the song’s narrative was refined over time.

Thematically, Old Before I Die already centres on urgency, self preservation and a fear of emotional stagnation. In demo form, these ideas feel less confrontational and more inward looking, as if the song is still searching for its final attitude. The restraint of the performance contrasts with the defiance that would later define the finished single.