1999 single by Robbie Williams
"Strong " is a song by English recording artistRobbie Williams . It was released on 15 March 1999 as the third single from his second studio album,I've Been Expecting You UK singles chart . One of the single'sB-sides is the live version of "Let Me Entertain You " recorded at the1999 Brit Awards , the performance was included on the single in theenhanced section .
In June 2017, Williams performed at theOne Love Manchester benefit concert, in aid of theManchester Arena bombing victims and as a display of the city's unity against terrorism. Williams opened and closed his set by leading a 55,000-strongterrace chant of the song's chorus, changing the lyrics to "Manchester we're strong, we're strong, we're strong. And we're still singing our songs, our songs, our songs!".[ 1] [ 2]
On the final night of Williams's 2003Knebworth House concerts, 125,000 ticketholders sang Strong to set the world record forMost Karaoke Participants . Williams and his audience held the record until 2009, when 160,000 people sangFriends in Low Places byGarth Brooks whilst in attendance at the2009 NASCAR Sharpie 500 race .[ 3]
Background and release [ edit ] "Strong" was written byRobbie Williams while he was in a hotel inCologne , Germany. It was inspired by some of his most hardcore fans, who, Williams confessed, "scared the living daylights out of [him]". He said, "I just wanted them to understand I'm not being rude, but I'm feeling a bit scared of everything."[ 4]
Following its release on 15 March 1999,[ 5] UK Singles Chart .[ 6] [ 7]
The video is a compilation of on-tour footage, including many live performances, Williams with his nephew, Williams on stage with his dad, and Williams messing about.[ 8]
UK CD single [ 9]
"Strong" "Let Me Entertain You " (live at theBrit Awards '99) "Happy Song" "Let Me Entertain You" (live at the Brit Awards '99 video) UK cassette single [ 10]
"Strong" "Let Me Entertain You" (live at the Brit Awards '99) "Happy Song" European CD single [ 11]
"Strong" "Let Me Entertain You" (live at the Brit Awards '99) "Let Me Entertain You" (live at the Brit Awards '99 video) Credits and personnel [ edit ] Credits are lifted from theI've Been Expecting You [ 12]
Studio
Personnel
Robbie Williams – writing, vocals Guy Chambers – writing, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, piano, production, arrangementGary Nuttall – background vocalsDavid Catlin-Birch – background vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitarSteve McEwan – background vocals, electric guitarAndre Barreau – background vocalsFil Eisler – guitar, guitar solos Jeremy Stacey – drumsAndy Duncan – percussion Steve Power – production, recording, mixing, programmingSteve McNichol – programming Tony Cousins – mastering Chart (1999) Position Europe (European Hit Radio)[ 27] 27 Lithuania (M-1)[ 28] 31 UK Singles (OCC)[ 29] 112 UK Airplay (Music Week )[ 30] 5
Region Certification Certified units /salesUnited Kingdom (BPI )[ 31] Silver 200,000‡ ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
^ "YouTube" .www.youtube.com .[dead YouTube link ^ Levine, Nick (5 June 2017)."Watch Robbie Williams change 'Strong' lyrics in tribute to Manchester" .NME . Retrieved5 June 2017 . ^ "Karaoke - most participants" .^ "Strong" . RobbieWilliams.com. Retrieved8 April 2017 .^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 15 March, 1999: Singles" (PDF) .Music Week . Retrieved19 July 2021 .^a b "Official Singles Chart on 27/3/1999 – Top 100 ".Official Charts Company . ^a b "Robbie Williams – Strong ".Top 40 Singles . ^ "Robbie Williams - Strong" .YouTube . 10 January 2011. Retrieved3 December 2015 .^ Strong (UK CD single liner notes).Chrysalis Records . 1999. CDCHS 5107, 7243 8 86803 0 1.^ Strong (UK cassette single sleeve). Chrysalis Records. 1999. TCCHS 5107.^ Strong (European CD single liner notes). Chrysalis Records. 1999. 7243 8 86885 0 5.^ I've Been Expecting You ^ "Robbie Williams – Strong " (in Dutch).Ultratip . Retrieved 9 June 2020. ^ "MUUSIKAEDETABELID: EESTI TOP 20" .Sõnumileht . Retrieved24 December 2024 .^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF) .Music & Media . Retrieved9 June 2020 .^ "EHR Top 50" (PDF) .Music & Media . Retrieved10 April 2024 .^ "Robbie Williams – Strong " (in French).Le classement de singles . ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts " (in German).GfK Entertainment charts . To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 9 June 2020. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF) .Music & Media . Retrieved9 June 2020 .^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (9.4–16.4. 1999)" .Dagblaðið Vísir . Retrieved9 June 2020 .^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Strong ".Irish Singles Chart . Retrieved 9 June 2020. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF) .Music & Media ^ "Robbie Williams – Strong " (in Dutch).Single Top 100 . ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 13/1999" (PDF) .Music & Media . Vol. 16, no. 13. 27 March 1999. p. 19. Retrieved16 February 2023 .^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 27/3/1999 – Top 100 ".Official Charts Company . ^ "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF) .Music Week . Retrieved27 April 2024 .^ "European Radio 1999" (PDF) .Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 1. 1 January 2000. p. 13. Retrieved18 June 2024 .^ "LITHUANIA – Radio M-1 Top 100 of 1999" . M-1. Retrieved18 July 2025 .^ Zywietz, Tobias (November 2000)."The Top 200 Singles of 1999" (PDF) .Chartwatch .Ilminster ,Somerset . pp. 41– 42. Retrieved2 August 2025 – via Zobbel. ^ "Most Broadcast of 1999: Airplay Top 50" (PDF) .Music Week . Retrieved24 April 2022 .^ "British single certifications – Robbie Williams – Strong" .British Phonographic Industry .^ Kraus, Brian (6 November 2015)."Lower Than Atlantis cover Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" .Alternative Press . Retrieved24 November 2015 .
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s *Awarded as The Best Song
