Teenage Millionaire

About

Teenage Millionaire was released as a B-side to Lazy Days and co-written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. The track channels the rebellious attitude of punk and early new wave, inspired by The Clash and the Sex Pistols. Williams himself once described it as his “Clash and Sex Pistols song,” a defiant anthem that distilled his post–Take That independence into pure noise and attitude.

Driven by distorted guitars and a raw, live feel, Teenage Millionaire captures the excess and chaos of Williams' early fame. The lyrics mix humour and provocation, referencing pop culture and celebrity with tongue-in-cheek irreverence. In lines such as “Dinner with Diana, I'm a social Stoke spanner, waiting for my knighthood, she can pin it on my manhood,” Williams balances self-parody with brash confidence.

The song became a feature of his first three solo tours, where it took on a life of its own as a loud, cathartic moment of rebellion. Fans recall its high-energy performances, complete with the opening scream and punk swagger, as some of the most unrestrained of the Life Thru a Lens era.

It was my punk moment. I just wanted to shout and make a mess of it all, and it felt brilliant.Robbie Williams

While Teenage Millionaire never appeared on later compilations, it remains a fan favourite for its raw energy and sly humour. Musically and lyrically, it's one of the most explicit expressions of Williams' desire to torch the expectations surrounding him, the sound of a young artist making noise simply because he could.