Take That! Robbie Williams and Garry Barlow reunite for first collaboration in over a decade

Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow are making music together again for the first time in over a decade. 

The former Take That bandmates last worked together in 2012 when they co-wrote Robbie Williams’ UK chart-topping single Candy.

Now, the pair are back together for the track Morrissey which is on Robbie’s upcoming album Britpop, and is written from the viewpoint of a stalker pursuing the former frontman of indie band The Smiths.

Speaking at the Q&A at London’s Groucho Club, Robbie said: “It’s great because that particular track is a song made by Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow about Morrisey.

“The reason why I am considerate about him is because I am writing it from the point of view of a stalker. 

“So it’s somebody that’s stalking Morrisey. He’s completely obsessed and in love with him.” 

Coldplay’s Chris Martin also contributed to the album. He plays guitar on new single Human. The track blends a futuristic sound with a timely theme - the growing fear of artificial intelligence replacing us.

Reflecting more broadly on his creative direction, Robbie, 51, admitted to feeling musically lost in recent years.

He said: "I’ve kind of been musically a bit aimless for a little while because I don’t know really what to do. I’ve chased yesterday an awful lot, which happens. 

“Fortunately for me I was in the pocket for so long, my rise was so long. But then when commercial radio or whatever stops playing, you think, ‘S---, what was it that I did?’ and then you look backwards.

“I have just spent the last 15 years looking backwards. And I just think with this album, if I am going to look backwards I might as well just clear the decks, go back to the start and head off from there.” 

Britpop is out on October 9.

Robbie Williams: Britpop - full tracklisting:

1. Rocket

2. Spies

3. Pretty Face

4. Bite Your Tongue

5. Cocky

6. All My Life

7. Human

8. Morrissey

9. You

10. It’s OK Until The Drugs Stop Working

11. Pocket Rocket