About
Swing Supreme appears on Swings Both Ways and reimagines Robbie Williams’s 2000 hit Love Supreme from Sing When You’re Winning as a swing ballad. Written by Williams, Guy Chambers, Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, the new version blends sophistication and nostalgia, transforming a pop anthem into an elegant, jazz-influenced piece. It marked one of the few times Williams had revisited and completely reinterpreted one of his own songs.
The track was originally conceived more than a decade earlier, when Williams and Chambers experimented with swinging up several of their hits, including Let Me Entertain You and Millennium. Swing Supreme was the one that endured, and Williams later described it as “the actual version,” suggesting that Love Supreme had always been destined for this form. He said, “It’s nice to have a bit of my history in here, given a bit of cleaning and some new clothes. It feels more whole now — it becomes a real love song.”
Musically, Swing Supreme replaces the original’s disco-inspired groove and Gloria Gaynor sample with lush strings, piano and brass orchestrations arranged by Steve Sidwell. The result gives the song a cinematic quality, evoking the glamour of 1950s lounge music while retaining the emotional intensity of the original. Williams’s vocal delivery is more reflective and understated, highlighting the maturity in his voice since the first recording.
“It’s nice to have a bit of my history in here, given a bit of cleaning and some new clothes. I’m proud of the original, but this version feels more whole — it’s found its home.”Robbie Williams
Swing Supreme was warmly received for its rich orchestration and thoughtful reinterpretation. Williams performed it during his 2013 London Palladium show and later on the Let Me Entertain You tour in 2015, where he introduced it by saying, “This is a song from back when I was really famous.” Its inclusion on the album bridged Williams’s past and present, showcasing his ability to reinvent his own material with both humour and sophistication.
Lyrics
All the lonely hearts in London
Caught a plane and flew away
The best women are married
The handsome men are gay
You feel deprived
Yeah are you questioning your size?
Is there a tumour in your humour,
Are there bags under your eyes?
Do you leave dents where you sit,
Are you getting on a bit?
Will you survive
You must survive
When there's no love in town
This new century is bringing you down
All the places you have been
Trying to find a love supreme
A love supreme
Oh what are you really looking for?
Another partner in your life to abuse and to adore?
Is it lovey dovey stuff,
Do you need a bit of rough?
Get on your knees
Yeah turn down the love songs that you hear
'Cause you can't avoid the sentiment
That echoes in your ear
Saying love will stop the pain
Saying love will kill the fear
Do you believe
You must believe
When there's no love in town
This new century is bringing you down
All the places you have been
Trying to find a love supreme
A love supreme
When there's no love in town
This new century is bringing you down
All the places you have been
Trying to find a love supreme
A love supreme, a love supreme
A love supreme
A love supreme
Credits
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Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Dino Fekaris, Freddie Perren