What did I just watch?
Robbie Williams is back with a ‘topical’ Christmas song, and a mind-melting video that features him dressing up as Boris Johnson and doing the robot with Theresa May.
Remember the video for ‘Rock DJ,’ where he ripped off all his skin? Well, this is more horrifying.
‘Can’t Stop Christmas’ is a rather catchy song, but do we really want to be reminded of 2020? With lyrics about Facetime and Zoom, and panic buying toilet rolls, it all feels rather out of date, with observational humour from around mid-May.
But the video is what really stands out.
Robbie Williams dresses up as Boris Johnson, mimicking the Number 10 press briefings. As Robbie dances around and does a standard-issue wobbly Boris impression, not-very-good lookalikes of Christ Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance do backing vocals for the song.
Then we get some pretty standard Christmas music video stuff of Robbie and his band celebrating Christmas, but then towards the end we switch back to Number 10.
There are now decorations up, and a Theresa May lookalike comes out for some reason. Robbie/Boris does Gangnam Style, and then Boris and May do the robot.
Erm, ok? This is… satire?
Last year, Robbie Williams released his first festive album, The Christmas Present. The double album was a mixture of classic Christmas tunes, and new songs. It featured guests including Bryan Adams, Jamie Cullum, and for some reason, boxer Tyson Fury (Fury does have a pretty good voice, to be fair).
‘Can’t Stop Christmas’ is featured on the new re-released version of the album, and is co-produced by his long-time collaborator Guy Chambers.
Robbie is no stranger to Christmas chart success. In 2001 he secured the Christmas number one with his cover of ‘Somethin’ Stupid’ featuring Hollywood star Nicole Kidman, from his Swing When You’re Winning covers album.
