Old Before I Die

"Old Before I Die" is a 1997 song by Robbie Williams, and the first single to be taken from his debut album, Life thru a Lens. The Oasis-influenced song became a number-two hit in the United Kingdom and a number-one hit in Spain when it was released in April 1997.

"Old Before I Die"
Single by Robbie Williams
from the album Life thru a Lens
Released14 April 1997
GenreBritpop
Length3:50
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Robbie Williams, Desmond Child, Eric Bazilian
Producer(s)Guy Chambers, Steve Power
Robbie Williams singles chronology
"Freedom"
(1996)		 "Old Before I Die"
(1997)		 "Lazy Days"
(1997)
Music video
"Old Before I Die" on YouTube

Critical reception

Music & Media commented, "Williams certainly can't be accused of playing it safe in the wake of his departure from U.K popsters Take That. Instead, post-Freedom, he's opted for a radical change of musical direction. Gone is the sweet, middle of the road style, in favour of a solid and confident rock sound, somewhat reminiscent of his new pals, Oasis."[1] Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror noted that the singer "has come up with some magic tracks", adding that songs like this are "stadium thrillers".[2]

Music video

A music video was made to accompany the song. It features Williams performing for the camera with ageing rock stars as his backing band, and some fade-ins by the cameraman. There are also shots of Williams flying through the air.

Track listing

UK CD1

  1. "Old Before I Die" – 3:50
  2. "Better Days" – 3:30
  3. "Average B-Side" – 2:58

UK CD2

  1. "Old Before I Die" – 3:50
  2. "Making Plans for Nigel" – 4:05
  3. "Kooks" – 2:36

Netherlands

  1. "Old Before I Die" – 3:50
  2. "Kooks" – 2:36
  3. "Average B-Side" – 2:58
  4. "Making Plans for Nigel" – 4:05
  5. "Better Days" – 3:30

Charts and certifications

Alejandra Guzmán version
"Quiero Vivir"
Single by Alejandra Guzmán
from the album Soy
Released2002
Recorded2001
GenreLatin pop, rock en Español
Length3:49
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)Robbie Williams, Desmond Child, Eric Bazilian
Alejandra Guzmán singles chronology
"Volveré a Amar"
(2002)		 "Quiero Vivir"
(2002)		 "Lipstick"
(2004)

Mexican singer Alejandra Guzmán recorded a cover of the song titled "Quiero Vivir" (I Want to Live), and included it on her tenth studio album, Soy. The track was produced by Desmond Child who co- wrote the original version. The single did not chart in Mexico or United States.

Notes
  1. "Airborne" (PDF). Music & Media. 10 May 1997. p. 20. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  2. Hyland, Ian (28 September 1997). "You've Gotta Hand It to the Club Master". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  3. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 24 Aug 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 11 February 2016 – via Imgur.
  4. "Austriancharts.at – Robbie Williams – Old Before I Die" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  5. "Ultratop.be – Robbie Williams – Old Before I Die" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  6. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 18. 3 May 1997. p. 20. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  7. "Offiziellecharts.de – Robbie Williams – Old Before I Die". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  8. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 21. 24 May 1997. p. 14. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  9. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 222 Vikuna 22.5. '97 – 28.5. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 23 May 1997. p. 16. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Old Before I Die". Irish Singles Chart.
  11. "Dutchcharts.nl – Robbie Williams – Old Before I Die" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  13. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  14. "Swisscharts.com – Robbie Williams – Old Before I Die". Swiss Singles Chart.
  15. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  16. "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  17. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1997" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  18. "British single certifications – Robbie Williams – Old Before I Die". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
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