Wedding Bells

About

Wedding Bells appears on the deluxe edition of Swings Both Ways and was written by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. The song reflects the warmth and humour that define much of their work together, combining big band swing with heartfelt lyricism. Recorded during the sessions for the main album, it continues the record’s balance of light comedy and sincerity.

The track is built around the image of a wedding ceremony, using it as a metaphor for love, commitment and life’s comic imperfections. Williams delivers the lyric with his characteristic blend of affection and irony, simultaneously poking fun at sentimentality while embracing it. The melody, carried by brass and strings, has a jubilant feel reminiscent of classic film musicals, yet the lyric contains Williams’s knowing wit about the realities of romance.

Williams said the song was inspired by the joy and absurdity of marriage, written shortly after his own wedding to Ayda Field. “It’s about realising that love isn’t the perfect story you see in films, but it’s the best chaos you’ll ever have,” he explained. The result is a song that feels both celebratory and grounded, highlighting Williams’s ability to combine theatrical swing with genuine emotion.

“It’s about the joy and absurdity of marriage. Love’s never perfect, but when it’s right, you want to sing about it, preferably with a full orchestra behind you.”Robbie Williams

Though released only on the deluxe edition, Wedding Bells was praised by fans for its warmth and humour. Its blend of classic swing arrangement and lyrical honesty made it a fitting companion piece to the main album, celebrating Williams’s romantic side with charm and self awareness.