Swing When You’re Winning

Released in 2001, 'Swing When You’re Winning' represented a massive creative pivot for Robbie Williams. Following the global success of 'Sing When You're Winning', Williams moved away from contemporary pop to record a collection of swing standards, largely inspired by his love for Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The album was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, the same room where many of the original versions were cut, utilizing many of the same microphones and even some of the original session musicians. The record features high-profile duets with Nicole Kidman, Jon Lovitz, and Jane Horrocks, and most notably, a 'technological duet' with Frank Sinatra on 'It Was a Very Good Year'. It was a commercial juggernaut in the UK, becoming one of the fastest-selling albums in British history and cementing Williams as a versatile entertainer capable of transcending the 'boy band' or 'pop star' labels. It remains his most cohesive and successful genre-departure project.