The Road to Mandalay

About

Written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, The Road to Mandalay was released on 9 July 2001 as a double A-side with Eternity. It became Williams’ fourth UK number one, holding the top spot for two weeks and earning a gold certification. The song also reached the Top 10 across Europe, including number two in Ireland and number four in Italy.

Inspired by the easy rhythm of French chanson and by Frank Sinatra’s version of Kipling’s poem “On the Road to Mandalay,” the song blends European pop with cinematic melancholy. Its acoustic guitar and gentle brass arrangement contrast with lyrics reflecting guilt, regret and the loss of innocence. The chorus, with its distinctive “bum-bum-bum” refrain, provides one of the album’s most euphoric moments.

It turned out to be the most touching song I’d written. It’s really sad but it’s dead positive at the same time.Robbie Williams

Produced by Steve Power, the track closes Sing When You’re Winning on a reflective note, its melody building to an orchestral sweep. Williams later linked the song’s mood to his growing awareness of fame’s consequences and the desire to find calm after excess.

The video, directed by Vaughan Arnell, formed part of a two-part short film with Eternity. It depicts Williams as a jewel thief whose heist leads to betrayal and capture, filmed partly aboard the Isle of Wight ferry and in southern France. The ambitious production was broadcast on Channel 4 as Robbed by Nature, highlighting Williams’ developing interest in cinematic storytelling.

Although less frequently performed live, The Road to Mandalay remains one of Williams’ most acclaimed recordings, praised for its melody and emotional restraint. Its closing refrain symbolises the blend of optimism and regret that defines the spirit of Sing When You’re Winning.