Advertising Space
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| "Advertising Space" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Robbie Williams | ||||
| from the album Intensive Care | ||||
| Released | 12 December 2005 | |||
| Recorded | June 2003–May 2005 | |||
| Studio | ||||
| Length | 4:37 | |||
| Label | Chrysalis | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producers |
| |||
| Robbie Williams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Advertising Space" on YouTube | ||||
"Advertising Space" is a song by British singer Robbie Williams, for his sixth studio album, Intensive Care (2005). It was released as the third single from the album on 12 December 2005 and reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart. In the song's music video, largely filmed in a room above the Belle Vue pub in Blackpool in the United Kingdom, Williams emulates Elvis in movement, appearance, and habits.[1]
Background
[edit]Inspired by True Romance, where Christian Slater's character spoke to the spirit of Elvis Presley, Williams wrote a ballad about "a superstar's fall from grace", which Williams jokingly called his "Candle in the Wind".[2] While interviewed on Parkinson and asked about the title "Advertising Space", Williams stated that he gave particular focus to how after dying Elvis was reduced to merchandising, or remembering "the joke part of his life, the end bit when he got big".[3]
Track listings
[edit]UK CD1 and Australian CD single[4]
- "Advertising Space"
- "Family Coach"
UK CD2[5]
- "Advertising Space"
- "Twist"
- "Don't Say No"
- Gallery (U-MYX)
UK DVD single[6]
- "Advertising Space" (video)
- "Don't Say No" (audio)
- "Overture for Berlin" (audio)
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits are taken from the Intensive Care album booklet.[7]
Studios
- Recorded between June 2003 and May 2005 at AIR Studios, The Townhouse (London, England), Rockband East and West, and Henson Studios (Los Angeles)
- Mixed at Mix This! (Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles)
- Strings engineered at NRG (North Hollywood, California)
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering (London, England)
Personnel
- Robbie Williams – writing, lead vocals, production
- Stephen Duffy – writing, Fender Mustang guitar, Martin acoustic guitar, Ethereal Electronic Korg keyboards, production
- Claire Worrall – backing vocals, Bösendorfer piano
- Jerry Meehan – Fender Precision Bass guitar
- Greg Leisz – lap and pedal steel guitars
- Jebin Bruni – Prophet-5
- Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion
- David Campbell – string arrangement, conducting
- Allen Sides – string engineering
- Bob Clearmountain – mixing
- Tony Cousins – mastering
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 12 December 2005 | CD | Chrysalis | [46] |
| United Kingdom | [47] |
References
[edit]- ^ Timeline: Advertising Space
- ^ Advertising Space Archived 28 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine at Robbiewilliams.com
- ^ Robbie Williams on Parkinson (2005)
- ^ Advertising Space (UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes). Chrysalis Records. 2005. CDCHS 5159, 0946 350026 2 1.
- ^ Advertising Space (UK CD2 liner notes). Chrysalis Records. 2005. CDCHSS5159, 0946 3 50026 0 7.
- ^ Advertising Space (UK DVD single liner notes). Chrysalis Records. 2005. DVDCHS 5159, 0946 3 50026 9 0.
- ^ Intensive Care (UK CD album booklet). Chrysalis Records. 2005. 0946 3 41823 2 4.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Charts – TopHit – Highway to Airplay". TopHit. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 9. týden 2006" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". Tracklisten. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 3. 21 January 2006. p. 71.
- ^ "European Radio Airplay" (PDF). Billboard. Nielsen Music Control. 4 February 2006. p. 47. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Nielsen Music Control Airplay - Germany Top 5". Nielsen Music Control on behalf of BVMI. Archived from the original on 24 December 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Advertising Space". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "The most popular songs in Latvia". lanet.lv (in Latvian). 1 January 2006. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Issue nr: 6/2006 (13 Februarie – 19 Februarie 2006)" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2021. See lw column.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 24/12/2005 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Robbie Williams – Advertising Space". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 24/12/2005 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Top 50 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 17 December 2005. p. 26. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2005" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2006". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Rapports annuels 2006" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "European Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2006" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Top 50 French Radio Airplay". SNEP. 31 December 2006. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2006" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ^ "Musica: Classifiche Annunali 2006 FIMI-AC Nielsen" (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2021. Click on Scarica l'allegato.
- ^ "LITHUANIA – Radio M-1 Top 100 of 2006". M-1. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Broadcast of 2006 — Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music Week. 13 January 2007. p. 15. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 12th December 2005" (PDF). ARIA. 12 December 2005. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 December 2005. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 10 December 2005. p. 23.
Advertising Space
View on GrokipediaBackground and writing
Inspiration and themes
The song "Advertising Space" draws its primary inspiration from the 1993 film True Romance, directed by Tony Scott, where the protagonist Clarence Worley, played by Christian Slater, engages in a hallucinatory conversation with the ghost of Elvis Presley, prompting Williams to explore themes of posthumous exploitation of a superstar's legacy.[2][4] This scene resonated with Williams, leading him to craft a narrative around the idea of a fallen icon confronting their commodified afterlife.[2] At its core, the track critiques the commodification of deceased cultural icons, using Elvis Presley as a central example; following Presley's death on August 16, 1977, his estate aggressively licensed his image for merchandise, transforming personal legacy into a commercial enterprise estimated to generate billions in revenue through products like T-shirts, posters, and memorabilia.[5][6][7] Williams portrays this exploitation as a tragic irony, where the "King of Rock and Roll" becomes reduced to "advertising space" in the public imagination, highlighting the loss of authenticity in celebrity culture.[4][5] Williams has expressed deep personal admiration for Presley, referring to him as a "hero" whose influence shaped his own career, framing the song as a lament for the erosion of genuine artistry amid relentless commercialization.[8] He has likened "Advertising Space" to Elton John's "Candle in the Wind," calling it his modern elegy for fallen stars, both evoking sorrow for icons consumed by fame's aftermath.[2] This introspective quality aligns with the broader tone of Williams's 2005 album Intensive Care, which delves into themes of self-reflection and mortality.[9]Development process
"Advertising Space" was co-written by Robbie Williams and Stephen Duffy during the sessions for Williams's sixth studio album, Intensive Care, spanning approximately 24 months from 2003 to 2005.[10] The collaboration marked a significant shift for Williams, who had previously worked extensively with Guy Chambers but formed this new creative partnership with Duffy after their professional split.[2] Their songwriting process involved jamming riffs at Williams's Hollywood Hills home, where Duffy provided musical foundations using acoustic guitars and drum machines, while Williams contributed instinctive vocal melodies and lyrics.[11] Specifically, the track was composed in January and February 2005 in a more traditional manner compared to their earlier experimental electro-jam sessions, evolving quickly from initial ideas into a structured ballad.[12] Duffy handled much of the musical composition, including the core melody developed on acoustic guitar, which set the reflective tone for the piece.[12] Williams, drawing from his strengths in lyric writing, focused on crafting the words to convey emotional depth, refining them collaboratively with Duffy to ensure they fit the melody's flow.[11] This hands-on approach allowed for iterative changes during pre-production, transforming rough sketches—often captured live with minimal setup—into a polished ballad structure suitable for the album. The song's slower, introspective pace emerged as a deliberate contrast to the album's more upbeat tracks, helping to balance its overall energy.[12] Key lyric adjustments emphasized themes tied to Elvis Presley's legacy, particularly his dramatic decline and death, with lines like "The whole world shook, a storm was blowing through you" symbolizing the turmoil of his final years.[2] These references were honed to highlight Presley's fall from grace without overt sensationalism, aligning the song's narrative with broader reflections on fame and mortality. By the end of the pre-production phase, "Advertising Space" stood as a fully realized ballad, ready for recording, encapsulating the duo's efficient yet intuitive creative dynamic.[11]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording sessions for "Advertising Space" took place primarily at AIR Studios and The Townhouse Studios in London, with supplementary work at Rockband East and West, as well as Henson Studios in Los Angeles, spanning mid-2005 as part of the broader album production timeline from June 2003 to May 2005.[13][14] These sessions built upon the song's development in collaboration with Stephen Duffy and emphasized live band takes to convey emotional depth, featuring the grand piano—played by Claire Worrall—as the central instrument during initial tracking.[12][13] Layered strings, arranged by David Campbell, were incorporated after the core band recordings to heighten the atmospheric quality, with the choir and string elements engineered at NRG Studios in Hollywood.[12][13] The approach prioritized minimal post-production fixes to preserve the raw, live energy of the performances.[12]Credits and personnel
The song "Advertising Space" was produced by Stephen Duffy and Robbie Williams.[15] It was written by Robbie Williams and Stephen Duffy.[15] Key musicians on the track included Stephen Duffy on guitars and ethereal keys, Jerry Meehan on bass, Matt Chamberlain on drums, and Claire Worrall on piano, with string arrangements by David Campbell.[16] Lead vocals were provided by Robbie Williams, with backing vocals by Stephen Duffy and Claire Worrall. Mixing was handled by Bob Clearmountain and John Paterno.[15]Musical composition
Style and structure
"Advertising Space" is classified as a piano ballad with pop-rock influences, running 4:37 in length on the album version.[17] The song employs a standard pop structure consisting of an intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro, delivered at a tempo of 112 BPM in the key of C major.[18][19] The arrangement opens with sparse piano accompaniment that gradually builds to orchestral swells during the choruses, heightening the emotional crescendo.[20] This design draws from 1970s ballad traditions while incorporating modern production techniques for a polished sound.[21] The musical form subtly underscores the track's thematic critique of commercialization.[21]Lyrics and interpretation
The lyrics of "Advertising Space" open with the poignant lines, "There's no earthly way of knowing / What was in your heart / When it stopped going," which directly evoke Elvis Presley's sudden death from cardiac arrest on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, underscoring the unknowable inner turmoil of a fading icon.[2] This sets a tone of intimate mourning, reflecting on Presley's isolation amid fame, as captured in the verse "The whole world shook / A storm was blowing through you / And a hurricane was making its way right behind you," symbolizing the personal tempests that ravaged his later years, including health struggles and public excess.[5] The narrative arc progresses to posthumous exploitation, with lines like "They put you on a big jet plane / Home was a long long road away," alluding to the transport of Presley's body via his private jet, the Lisa Marie, back to Graceland, while critiquing how his legacy was swiftly commodified.[2] Critics and fans have interpreted the song as a broader commentary on celebrity mortality, lamenting how icons like Presley are reduced from human figures to mere commercial vessels, as encapsulated in the chorus: "All that's left in any case / Is advertising space."[5] The lyrics extend this theme by referencing other cultural prophets, such as "I saw you standing at the gates / When Marlon Brando passed away," drawing parallels to Brando's own exploitation in death, and decrying society's tendency to "let our prophets go to waste" through consumerism rather than honoring their lessons.[2] Later associations have applied these themes to figures like Michael Jackson, whose 2009 death prompted reflections on similar patterns of isolation and posthumous merchandising, though the song's core remains rooted in Presley's story.[22] Robbie Williams has expressed his intent with the song as an effort to humanize Presley, whom he admired deeply despite never meeting him, stating in a 2005 interview, "He’s become a wall clock or he’s become a bumper sticker... it’s just me tipping my hat to him."[2] By focusing on the vulnerability behind the myth, Williams aimed to reclaim the icon from the "advertising space" of merchandise and memorabilia that overshadowed his personal struggles.[5] The ballad's introspective delivery amplifies this emotional depth, allowing the lyrics to resonate as a tribute to the human cost of stardom.Music video
Production details
The music video for "Advertising Space" was directed by David LaChapelle, an acclaimed photographer and filmmaker renowned for his surreal celebrity portraits that blend hyperrealism with provocative staging.[23][24] Filming took place in late 2005, specifically on October 9, with principal locations centered in Blackpool, England—Williams' hometown—including a room above the Belle Vue pub, local arcades, the pier, and along the Golden Mile to capture the town's kitschy, nostalgic seaside atmosphere. Filming drew around 5,000 fans, stopping traffic in the area.[25][2][8][2] The production maintained high values on a budget of approximately $500,000, allowing for elaborate set designs and practical effects to evoke a dreamlike quality without relying heavily on digital post-production.[23] Key elements included custom costumes and makeup transformations to portray iconic figures, emphasizing tactile, on-set craftsmanship for the video's transformative sequences.[2] Conceptually, LaChapelle and Williams developed the visual narrative as a direct homage to Elvis Presley, drawing inspiration from the song's themes of fame and legacy; this collaboration focused on integrating Williams' personal connection to Presley through stylized reenactments reminiscent of classic Elvis films like Viva Las Vegas.[23][2] In June 2025, the Central Club, a filming location in Blackpool, was destroyed by fire.[26]Visual content and symbolism
The music video for "Advertising Space," directed by David LaChapelle, depicts Robbie Williams as a weary Elvis Presley impersonator wandering the faded seaside resort of Blackpool, England.[27][2] In the central storyline, Williams, dressed in a gold lamé suit reminiscent of Presley's iconic Vegas attire, struts along the Golden Mile promenade, captivating onlookers and halting traffic as mirage-like crowds gather around him.[2] Key scenes emphasize Williams lip-syncing the ballad amid the chaotic energy of the street, transitioning to an intimate performance inside a chintzy bingo hall filled with elderly patrons who cheer enthusiastically. The sequence builds to a climactic rendition where Williams commands the room like a spectral showman, only for the energy to fade, leaving him isolated on stage as the choir-like audience disperses, reinforcing themes of solitude.[2] Symbolically, Blackpool's Golden Mile and the bingo hall evoke the hollowness of fame's afterglow, portraying celebrity as a perpetual commercial spectacle reduced to nostalgic kitsch—mirroring the song's critique of icons exploited as "advertising space." The Elvis emulation critiques the eternal commodification of cultural legends, blending reverence with melancholy to highlight fame's isolating void.[2] Running 4:50 in length, the video premiered on UK television in November 2005 and holds an 8/10 IMDb rating, praised for its poignant emotional resonance.[27][28]Release and promotion
Formats and track listings
The single "Advertising Space" by Robbie Williams was released on 12 December 2005 in multiple formats, primarily through Chrysalis Records, catering to physical and digital markets in the UK, Europe, Australia, and beyond.[1]UK CD1
Released on Chrysalis (catalog: CDCHS 5159), this standard single edition features two tracks.[29]| Track | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advertising Space | 4:41 | Radio edit; mixed by Bob Clearmountain |
| 2 | Family Coach | 4:48 | B-side track; mixed by John Paterno |
UK CD2
This enhanced maxi-single on Chrysalis (catalog: CDCHSS 5159) expands on the first CD with additional audio tracks and interactive remix software.[30]| Track | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advertising Space | 4:43 | Album version |
| 2 | Twist | 3:09 | Previously unreleased |
| 3 | Don't Say No | 4:28 | B-side track |
| 4 | u-myx Advertising Space | N/A | Interactive remix software for user customization |
Australian CD
The Australian release on Chrysalis (catalog: 0946 35026-2) mirrors the UK CD1 format, containing the core single tracks without additional regional bonuses.[31]| Track | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advertising Space | 4:41 | Radio edit; mixed by Bob Clearmountain |
| 2 | Family Coach | 4:48 | B-side track; mixed by John Paterno |
DVD Single
Issued on Chrysalis (catalog: DVDCHS 5159) in Europe, this PAL-format DVD combines video content with select audio tracks, including a behind-the-scenes featurette.[32]| Track | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advertising Space | 4:39 | Music video |
| 2 | Don't Say No | 4:25 | Audio track |
| 3 | Overture for Berlin | 3:37 | Audio track (instrumental) |
| 4 | Behind the Scenes - Advertising Space | 1:53 | Making-of featurette (unlisted on sleeve) |
Digital Download
Available via iTunes and other platforms under Robert Williams (as credited), the digital release offered three AAC files at 256 kbps, including the full album version of the title track alongside CD2 B-sides.[33]| Track | Title | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advertising Space | 4:43 | Full album version |
| 2 | Twist | 3:09 | B-side |
| 3 | Don't Say No | 4:28 | B-side |
Marketing strategies
"Advertising Space" served as the third single from Robbie Williams's album Intensive Care, positioned as its emotional centerpiece through targeted television advertisements and radio broadcasts that commenced in November 2005.[2][34] The single's release was strategically aligned with the Christmas period to capitalize on seasonal sentimentality, featuring prominent airplay on BBC Radio 1 and a series of press interviews that underscored its homage to Elvis Presley.[34][2][35] The accompanying music video, directed by David LaChapelle as a visual tribute to Presley, premiered on MTV and Channel 4, significantly amplifying pre-release anticipation; Williams further heightened interest by performing excerpts during appearances on programs like Parkinson.[8][2][28] Promotional activities extended internationally across Europe with tailored advertisements adapted for local markets, alongside direct outreach to fan clubs and engagement via online forums to foster community involvement.[36][37]Commercial performance
Weekly charts
"Advertising Space" achieved moderate success on weekly music charts, particularly in Europe, where it benefited from strong promotional efforts including music video airplay and radio support.[4] In the United Kingdom, the single debuted at number 8 on the Official Singles Chart on December 24, 2005, marking its highest position, and remained on the chart for 11 weeks, spending 5 weeks in the top 40.[3] Internationally, the track performed solidly across several European markets. It reached number 3 on the Italian FIMI Singles Chart, where its trajectory was bolstered by extensive video airplay.[38] In Germany, it peaked at number 10 on the Official German Charts.[39] The song also entered the top 10 in the Netherlands, peaking at number 5 on the Dutch Top 40.[40] Other notable peaks included number 8 in Austria and number 9 in Switzerland.[41] Outside Europe, "Advertising Space" peaked at number 17 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart in January 2006, with a total of 5 weeks on the chart.[42] Overall, the single reached the top 20 in 8 countries.[41]| Country/Chart | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 8 | 11 | Official Charts |
| Australian ARIA Singles | 17 | 5 | aCharts |
| Italian FIMI Singles | 3 | 11 | aCharts |
| German Singles | 10 | 16 | Official German Charts |
| Dutch Top 40 | 5 | 12 | DutchCharts |