Strange Days

About

Strange Days was recorded by Robbie Williams with British glam rock band The Struts for their third studio album of the same name, released on 2 September 2020. Written by Adam Slack, Gethin Davies, Jed Elliott, Luke Spiller and producer Jon Levine, it became the title track of an album made entirely during lockdown, reflecting the surreal atmosphere of that year.

The collaboration began when Williams contacted frontman Luke Spiller during the band’s quarantine livestreams. The two bonded over conversations about life, music and UFOs, leading to an invitation for The Struts to record vocals at Williams’s Los Angeles home. The session took place outdoors on his front porch to comply with pandemic restrictions, and the resulting duet captured both artists’ theatrical sensibilities.

Built on piano, strings and gospel-style backing vocals, the track’s sweeping melody recalls 1970s rock anthems while expressing a modern sense of unease. Lyrics such as “Science fiction, I believe, has become reality” and “Send help because we lost our way” reflected the uncertainty of the time. Williams’s soulful tone complements Spiller’s raspy power, creating an emotional balance of hope and nostalgia.

It’s an incredible song and I feel blessed to be involved. The Struts are so incredibly talented. These are strange days and this is an anthem for these strange times.Robbie Williams

The accompanying video, directed by Chris Appelbaum, was filmed in Southern California. Shot mainly in black and white, it bursts into colour during the bridge, symbolising renewal and optimism. Williams also appeared as a hologram during the group’s performance of the song at Soccer Aid 2020, his larger-than-life image reinforcing the song’s cinematic quality.

Strange Days stands as one of Williams’s most successful collaborations of the decade, bridging generations of British rock with a shared message of resilience and creativity under pressure.