The Impossible

About

The Impossible opens Under the Radar Vol. 3 and was written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, produced by Chambers and Richard Flack. The track incorporates an excerpt from the 1967 composition “Cet Blesser” by French poet and composer Léo Ferré, whose melody forms the song’s haunting introduction. Williams described the piece as “spiritual and slightly supernatural,” written to explore self-doubt and resilience.

The song examines the lasting effects of bullying and self-criticism, themes Williams has often revisited throughout his career. “If you’ve been told you’re not good enough, those words go into the computer,” he explained, “and they can become your whole person.” The lyric alternates between despair and determination, culminating in the refrain “The impossible must be done, it’s not that impossible.” The contrast between the pain of rejection and the call to overcome it gives the song its emotional centre.

Musically, The Impossible combines cinematic strings with sombre piano and understated percussion, reflecting the introspective tone of albums such as Intensive Care. Williams’ vocal performance is restrained yet vulnerable, carrying the song’s sense of weary hope. The track’s structure mirrors a dialogue between the inner critic and the self that refuses to give up.

“To defeat your own inner demons can feel impossible, because that’s how you’ve been structured to talk about yourself all your life. But the impossible must be done.”Robbie Williams

The stop-motion video, created by Italian filmmaker Stefano Bertelli, depicts a paper boat navigating treacherous waters before emerging into light, symbolising endurance through adversity. Critics and fans praised the song’s sincerity and raw emotion, calling it one of Williams’ most affecting openings. As the introduction to Under the Radar Vol. 3, it sets a reflective, redemptive tone for the album’s blend of vulnerability and triumph.