Take That’s number one single, Shine, turned 18 last week and almost two decades on from it’s release, some Take That fans are only just realising the subject of it’s lyrics
With last Saturday (January 25) marking the 18th anniversary of the release of Take That’s ‘Shine’, it appears some pop music fans are only just realising what it’s about.
The song was the second release from the iconic group’s comeback album, Beautiful World. The release saw Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange reunite for the first time since their split in 1996.
Written and sung by Mark, Shine topped the UK Singles Chart, selling more than 1.2 million copies. The song’s promotional video was shared to X by UK Back in the Day to mark the anniversary, prompting one user to have a sudden realisation all these years later.
Sian Thymes admitted: “The Morrisons-ification of this song made me loath it, but recently finding out Mark Owen wrote it about Robbie Williams has warmed my heart and won me back over.”
Indeed, after fifth member Robbie rejoined the group himself in 2010 after burying the hatchet with the others, a live performance alongside Gary saw him make a previously unheard admission about Shine.
Asked which song he was going to perform by presenter Fern Cotton in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge at the time, Robbie said: “I can’t really say without singing it – it’s just very apt and I do believe it’s actually written about me. Do you know if it is or not, Gaz?”
“I think it is,” Gary responded. Robbie interjected: “I did ask him very early doors.”
Elsewhere on X, meanwhile, another person responded: “Isn’t it mad when you appreciate a songs lyrics you hear it in such a different way?” A third reacted in shock, asking: “This is written for Robbie?! Omg that completely changed my point of view on this!”
A fourth couldn’t believe it either, probing: “He did what?!” And a fifth person admitted: “I did not know this but the song makes so much sense now.”
Paying tribute to absent at the time pal Robbie, Mark sang: “You, you’re such a big star to me/You’re everything I wanna be/But you’re stuck in a hole/And I want you to get out.
“I don’t know what there is to see/But I know it’s time for you to leave/We’re all just pushing along/Trying to figure it out, out, out.
“All your anticipation pulls you down/When you can have it all/You can have it all/So come on/So come on, get it on/I don’t know what you’re waiting for/Your time is coming don’t be late, hey hey/So come on/See the light on your face/Let it shine.”
Suddenly it all makes sense!
