Intensive Care is the ninth album and sixth solo studio album by English pop singer Robbie Williams, released on October 24, 2005 in the United Kingdom.
Although not originally intended to be released in North America, it was made available on iTunes there.
Album description
After touring Latin America in late 2004 for the promotion of his Greatest Hits album, Williams started working on what would become his sixth studio album. Recorded in Robbie Williams' bedroom in the Hollywood Hills, the album was co-written by Stephen Duffy over the course of 24 months.[1]
Track listing
| Writer(s) |
| 1. |
"Ghosts" |
Robbie Williams, Stephen Duffy |
3:42 |
| 2. |
"Tripping" |
Williams, Duffy |
4:36 |
| 3. |
"Make Me Pure" |
Williams, Duffy, C. Heath |
4:33 |
| 4. |
"Spread Your Wings" |
Williams, Duffy |
3:50 |
| 5. |
"Advertising Space" |
Williams, Duffy |
4:37 |
| 6. |
"Please Don't Die" |
Williams, Duffy |
4:47 |
| 7. |
"Your Gay Friend" |
Williams, Duffy |
3:21 |
| 8. |
"Sin Sin Sin" |
Williams, Duffy, C. Heath |
4:09 |
| 9. |
"Random Acts of Kindness" |
Williams, Duffy |
4:15 |
| 10. |
"The Trouble With Me" |
Williams, Duffy |
4:20 |
| 11. |
"A Place To Crash" |
Williams, Duffy |
4:34 |
| 12. |
"King of Bloke and Bird" |
Williams, Duffy |
6:13 |
- On track 12 the actual song finishes at 03:50 but then mixes into an instrumental section that goes to the end of the track.
Special edition bonus DVD
A special edition CD + DVD of the album was also released. The CD has the same tracklist as the regular edition. The bonus DVD included :
- "Documentary 'In Intensive Care'"
- "'Make Me Pure' Video"
- "Tarot Cards visuals"
Trivia
- "Ghosts" was intended to be one-half of the fifth single from Intensive Care, with "A Place To Crash." However, this was cancelled in favor of releasing a single from his new album Rudebox. The lyrics were inspired by the Human League song "Louise", about a man who spots his former lover at a bus stop and realises he still cares for her, with "Ghosts" being written from Louise's point of view. Williams subsequently recorded a cover version of the original "Louise" for Rudebox.
- "Please Don't Die" might have been unreleased, because it was a very sensitive song to release at the time because of the London Bombings that happened in 2005. This song deals with the insecurities some people have with their loved ones. The chorus is a pessimistic but realistic question of the vulnerability and helplessness one feels if their love one dies or goes away to far away places.
Success
The album was launched in Berlin, Germany on the October 9. It was not shown on television, but broadcast to various locations around the world in cinemas and theatres, in a high-definition "cine-cast". It was shown on Saturday 22 October 2005 on Channel 4. During the album launch, Williams said he would like to be the new "King of Pop".[2]
When Intensive Care was released in late October 2005, it became smash hit around the world, hitting number-one in the United Kingdom, selling 373,000 copies in its first week as well as topping the charts in 20 counties including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, New Zealand and many other countries.
That November, Williams took home the MTV Europe Music Award for 'Best Male', and also entered The Guinness Book of World Records for selling 1.6 million tickets in a single day for his 2006 world tour.[3] The album became the best selling album in Europe by the end of 2005 with sales over the 4 million copies.[4] However, it only managed to be the third best selling album in the United Kingdom that year.
Williams kicked off his Close Encounters World Tour in South Africa in April 2006, when he finished he's European leg of the tour, 2.5 million had seen the show,[5] and after Latin America and Australia the numbers when up to 3 million.
By the end of the promotion of the album, it was announced that it sold over 5 million copies in Europe alone being certified 5x Platinum by the IFPI,[6] it also certified 5x Platinum in the United Kingdom becoming, at the time, his lowest selling studio album in the country,[7] The album was certified Platinum in Mexico shortly after its release for physical sales standing over the 175,000 copies,[8] in December 2008 the album was certified 2x Diamond for pre-loaded digital sales of 800,000 copies.[9]
Singles
The album's first single, "Tripping", was released in October 3 2005, it became an international success, topping the charts in Germany, The Netherlands, Taiwan, Argentina and Mexico.
"Make Me Pure" was released as the double a-side to "Tripping" in some countries, in Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, the song was released as a single between "Advertising Space" and "Sin Sin Sin".
By December, the second single from the album was released, the ballad "Advertising Space", becoming another international hit, reaching the top ten in Europe, Australasia and Latin America.
After a long gap between singles, the third cut from the album was released in the summer 2006, "Sin Sin Sin" was the first song Williams and Stephen Duffy wrote together,[10] the video was shot in Cape Town, South Africa right before the start of his tour, when the track was released it became Williams' first single to miss the UK Top 20, charting at number twenty-two. The single did a lot better internationally, hitting the top ten in Europe and Latin America.
Musicians
- Robbie Williams: Lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar, Bass guitar epiphone casino, synthesizer
- Stephen Duffy: Guitar, keyboards, nord lead, wine glass, sitar, harp, secquencers, shakers, dilruba, harmonica (track 11)
- Claire Worrall: Backing vocals, (track 11) piano, mellotron, Hammond B3, helicopter
- Melvin Duffy: Pedal steel guitar (track 11)
- Neil Taylor: Guitar (track 11)
- Greg Leiz: Guitar
- Justin Duarte: Acoustic Guitar
- Jerry Mehan: Bass guitar, fender precision (track 11)
- Matt Chamberlain: drums, percussion (track 11)
- Kate Kisson: Backing Vocals
- Tessa Niles: Backing vocals
- Jeff Babko: Trombone (track 11)
- Cleto Escobedo: Baritone saxophone (track 11)
- Waddy Wachtel: Guitar (track 11)
- Jebin Bruni: Synthesizer
- Davey Farragher: Bass guitar, fender precision
- John Paterno: Guitar
- Buddy Judge: Guitar
- Max Beesley: Percussion, vibes
- Gary Nuttall: Backing vocals (track 11)
- - Carlton E. Anderson: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Maxi Anderson; Choir (track 3,11)
- - Randy Crenshaw: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Judith Hill: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Julia Tillman: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Carmen Twillie: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Oren Waters: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Maxine Waters Willard: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Will Wheaton Jnr: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Terry Wood: Choir (track 3,11)
- - Charlie Bisharat: Violins (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - Mario De Leon: Violins (track 1,3,5,6,8)
- - Armen Garabedian: Violins (track 1,2,3,5,10,12)
- - Berj Garabedian: Violins (track 1,3,5,6,8)
- - Alan Grunfeld: Violins (track 1,3,5)
- - Sara Pakins: Violins (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - Michelle Richards: Violins (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - Sarah thornblade: Violins (track 1,3,5,6,8)
- - Josefina Vergara: Violins (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - John Wittenburg: Violins (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12
- - Denyse Buffum Violas (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - Matt Funes Violas (track 1,3,5)
- - Roland Kato Violas (track 2,10,12)
- - Evan Wilson Violas (track 1,3,5,6,8)
- - Larry Corbett Cello (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - Suzie Katayama Cello (track 1,2,3,5,6,8,10,12)
- - Dan Smith Cello (track 1,3,5)
Credits
- Album produced by Stephen Duffy and Robbie Williams
- Original production by Andy Strange
- Mixed by Bob Clearmountain at Mix This
- Engineered by John Paterno, Andy Strange, Stephen Duffy Pablo Munguia, Tony Phillips, Adam Noble and Dan Porter
- Strings arranged and conducted by David Campbell
- Strings engineered by Alan Sides at NRG
- Mastering by Tony Cousins at Metropolis Studios, London
- A&R: Chris Briggs
- Photography: Hamish Brown
- Design and artwork: Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
- Art coordination by Tom Hingston Studio
Certifications, Peaks & Sales
| Country |
Peak Position |
Certification (If Any) |
Sales/shipments |
| Argentina |
1 |
3x Platinum[11] |
120,000+ |
| Australia |
1 |
Platinum[12] |
70,000+ |
| Italy |
1 |
5x Platinum[13] |
441,000+ |
| Austria |
1 |
3x Platinum[14] |
90,000+ |
| Belgium |
1 |
2x Platinum [15] |
80,000+ |
| Denmark |
|
2x Platinum[16] |
60,000+ |
| Finland |
3 |
2x Platinum[17] |
62,000+ |
| France |
1 |
2x Platinum [18] |
600,000+ |
| Germany |
1 |
11x Gold[19] |
1,100,000+ |
| Hungary |
2 |
Platinum[20] |
10,000+ |
| Ireland |
1 |
5x Platinum[21] |
75,000+ |
| Mexico |
2 |
2xDiamond[9] |
1,250,000+ |
| Netherlands |
1 |
2x Platinum[22] |
160,000+ |
| New Zealand |
1 |
Platinum[23] |
15,000+ |
| Portugal |
1 |
Platinum[24] |
20,000+ |
| Spain |
1 |
Platinum[25] |
80,000+ |
| Sweden |
1 |
Platinum[26] |
60,000+ |
| Switzerland |
1 |
3x Platinum[27] |
120,000+ |
| United Kingdom |
1 |
5x Platinum[28] |
1,500,000+ |
External links
- ^ "Discography>Albums>Intensive Care". Robbiewilliams.com. http://www.robbiewilliams.com/. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "Intensive Care". Britandgrit.wordpress.com. 2007-02-15. http://britandgrit.wordpress.com/2007/02/15/robbie-williams-take-that-in-rehab/. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "Robbie Williams Enters The Guinness Book of World Records". News.softpedia.com. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Robbie-Williams-Enters-The-Guinness-Book-of-World-Records-13394.shtml. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "IFPI Certification for "Intensive Care"". Zpav.pl. http://www.zpav.pl/rankingi.asp?page=inne&lang=en. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ Time. "EMI Music México". Emimusic.com.mx. http://www.emimusic.com.mx/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?2,24,135,O,S,0,PAG;CONC;26;2;D;372970;1;PAG;,. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "IFPI certification for "Intensive Care"". Zpav.pl. http://www.zpav.pl/rankingi.asp?page=inne&lang=en. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ BPI Certification for "Intensive Care"[dead link]
- ^ ""Intensive Care" sales". Fanofmusic.free.fr. http://fanofmusic.free.fr/BestSellers.php?Act=RobbieWilliams. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ a b ""Intensive Care" Mexican Certification". Amprofon.com.mx. 2005-10-21. http://www.amprofon.com.mx/certificaciones.php?artista=&titulo=intensive+care&disquera=&certificacion=todas&anio=todos&categoria=todas&Submitted=Buscar&item=menuCert&contenido=buscar. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "Discography>Singles>Sin Sin Sin". Robbiewilliams.com. http://www.robbiewilliams.com/. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "CAPIF". CAPIF. http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?AnoFiltro=2005&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP&ACCION=+Buscar+. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "ARIA". ARIA. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-albums-2005.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ http://worldwidealbums.blogspot.com/search?q=robbie+williams
- ^ IFPI Austria[dead link]
- ^ "IFPI Belgium – August 26, 2006". Skynet.be. http://www.skynet.be/index.html?l1=entertainment&l2=ultratop&l3=charts&chartid=5. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "IFPI Denmark". Ifpi.dk. http://www.ifpi.dk/index.php?pk_menu=94. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ IFPI[dead link]
- ^ Disque En France[dead link]
- ^ IFPI Germany
- ^ "MAHASZ". Mahasz.hu. http://www.mahasz.hu/m/?menu=arany_es_platinalemezek&menu2=adatbazis&ev=2005. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Ltd. - http://www.fireballmedia.ie+(1962-10-01). "IRMA". Irishcharts.ie. http://irishcharts.ie/awards/multi_platinum.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "NVPI". Nvpi.nl. http://www.nvpi.nl/nvpi/pagina.asp?pagkey=60461&formposted=no&pagenr=1. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "December 26, 2005". RIANZ. http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "AFP – Week 9 Year 2006". Artistas-espectaculos.com. http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp.php. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "Promusicae" (PDF). http://www.promusicae.org/listasanuales/albumes/Top%2050%20albumes%202006.pdf. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ IFPI Sweden – 2005 Certifications[dead link]
- ^ Steffen Hung. "IFPI Switzerland". Swisscharts.com. http://www.swisscharts.com/search_certifications.asp?search=intensive+care. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ BPI[dead link]
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