Released 4 September 2006 Genre Pop, hip hop | Recorded 2006 Label EMI | |
Format CD single, digital download Length 4:45 (Album version)
3:46 (Radio edit) | ||
"Rudebox" is song by English musician Robbie Williams, from the his seventh studio album of the same name (2006). It is based on a sample from the song "Boops (Here to Go)" by Sly and Robbie. The single was released on 4 September 2006, although download purchases allowed it to reach number 30 on the UK Singles Chart on 3 September. After the release of the CD single, it ascended 26 places to number 4, selling 24,821 copies, beaten by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland's "Promiscuous", Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" and Scissor Sisters' "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'".
Contents
Although the single charted relatively high, Williams was mocked by sections of the tabloid press, who said the single was a failure due to his radical change in direction on the song, with The Sun dubbing it the "worst song ever". Williams responded to the criticism by joking about it, telling an audience at his concert in Leeds on 8 September that the song was "number one... in Germany" and saying it was "made to feel as welcome as a ginger step child". The track was also nominated for the 2006 Ivor Novello Award.
In the song Williams makes several cultural references including Adidas, T.K. Maxx (in a joke about product placement, "T.K. Maxx costs less!"), Michael Jackson, Durex condoms, The Matrix and Mandrex. Williams was quoted in September 2006 as saying that "for a box to be rude, the rude must be in a different box - and that took me a long time to realise".
Chart success
The song had considerable success in Europe, peaking at number two on the Euro Hot 100 singles chart. The single reached number-one in Germany, Italy and Switzerland, and it made the top ten in several other countries around the world.
In the United Kingdom the single debuted at number thirty based on downloads alone; when the single was physically released it climbed to its peak of number four, spending two weeks inside the top ten and nine weeks on the chart overall. Compared to Williams' other singles, it was considered a commercial disappointment.
The song had huge success in Latin America, Mexico in particular. The song was nominated for Song of the Year – International at the Premios Oye!, the Mexican Grammys and won.
Track listing
UK CD1
(Released 4 September 2006)
- "Rudebox" (radio edit) – 3:46
- "Lonestar Rising" – 3:55
UK CD2
(Released 4 September 2006)
- "Rudebox" (album version) – 4:45
- "Rudebox" (Soul Mekanik Dub) – 5:55
- "Rudebox" (Chicken Lips Malfunction) – 8:42
- "Rudebox" (Chicken Lips Malfunction Dub) – 8:47
- "Rudebox" (enhanced video)
- "Rudebox" (interview clip)
UK promo
(Released 21 August 2006)
- "Rudebox" (clean radio edit)
- "Rudebox" (dirty radio edit)
- "Rudebox" (instrumental)