Robbie Williams is no stranger to superstardom. From his early days as part of the boyband Take That to his decades-long solo career, the British pop icon has seen it all. However, even the most seasoned stars like Williams can face challenges when venturing into new creative territories. This was precisely the case when he worked on the musical biopic Better Man, a movie that chronicles his life, from the heights of fame to the depths of personal struggle.
In an exclusive interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff for Collider Forces, Williams shared an interesting behind-the-scenes story about his approach to the film’s soundtrack, revealing how a lesson in musical humility helped save his creative process.
Better Man follows Williams’ journey through his musical career, mental health battles, addiction, and fame. It’s a biopic filled with the highs and lows that have shaped him as both an artist and a person. But what makes this film truly unique is the music that underpins it—especially when you consider how Williams, in the early stages, initially misjudged the soundtrack’s tone.
Williams recalled a particularly humorous and enlightening moment when he tried to channel his inner Eminem. “I was sending these songs over that I’m like, ‘That’s a banger. That’s a banger. You are wrong,’” he laughed, admitting that he had been convinced of his own musical genius. He referenced the famous story of how Eminem’s director in 8 Mile rejected “Lose Yourself,” only for the rapper to be proven right later. In that moment, Williams thought he was the Eminem of the situation, certain that his choices for the soundtrack were spot-on.
However, as Williams continued, his confidence in his musical selections didn’t quite match the film’s final vision. Working with Better Man director Michael Gracey and reflecting on the outcome, he admitted, “Then I saw the finished version, and I was like, ‘I totally get why those songs weren’t the ones chosen, and I totally get what you need there.’ What I was sending wasn’t a cuddle. What I was sending wasn’t soothing. What I was sending wasn’t healing.”
Williams realized that the songs he initially suggested lacked the emotional delicacy needed to tell the story. Better Man required a softer, more nuanced sound to accompany its deep themes of struggle and redemption, something Williams learned the hard way. His journey towards understanding the balance between high-energy tracks and the emotional depth of the film was a turning point in the process.
With the guidance of songwriter and producer Freddy Wexler, Williams found the right musical tone for Better Man. “Then we delivered, thank God,” he said of his collaboration with Wexler, praising his talent and describing their partnership with fondness. “Incredibly talented. Namaste. Love him.”
In the end, Better Man turned out to be a perfect reflection of Williams’ life—not just in terms of its storytelling but in its musicality as well. The lesson he learned about humility, patience, and the importance of emotional connection in music was a crucial one for the movie’s success. Williams might have initially tried to be Eminem, but in the end, he embraced the delicate touch that allowed the soundtrack—and the film—to truly shine.
