City Life, Manchester, Sept 2005

Source: http://www.robbiewilliams-tr.com

'Interview by Mike Toolan, Key 103 presenter:

MT: There are certain bits of fame that you hate and have almost ruined your
life. So why do you keep releasing the records? Why not just work in Matalan?

RW: Because why would that stop you doing something you love? This is why
I am here, what I'm here to do. People like it - they keep buying the albums.
And actually, stuff has been all right for years now. I get the best of
both worlds - I get to live in Los Angeles and in the rest of the world,
I'm a pop star. So there's really nothing that I can grumble about any more.

MT: We've heard you're also into the occult now. Is that like magic tricks?

RW: No, it's all about trying to shift the universe to suit you. But I haven't
done any for ages because a lot of it just scared me. And I've got attention
deficit disorder and I'd miss a paragraph and turn myself into a frog. I
want to do it, but I want to get into it with an adult who can hold my hand
and maybe sleep over at the house after because I'd be scared.

MT: One of the songs on the album, "Random Acts of Kindness", is about magic,
isn't it?

RW: There's one line about the occult in that song. The rest of it is wishing
certain sections of people weren't heartless and spiteful, and telling myself
to be kinder. Or really turning them into something weird or give them the
shits for days with just the power of my mind.

MT: Have you practised any occult things?

RW: Yeah, people have said I'm a bit of a cult over the years. I have done
stuff and it has just turned out weird. It's like one of those films, where
what you wish for comes true, but it doesn't exactly happen how you planned
it to.

MT: There are a lot of 80s influences on the album. We're not going to see
you with a Flock Of Seagulls haircut, a shiny suit and piano tie are we?

RW: Maybe. Actually, you've just planted a seed - wait until you see me
on 'Top Of The Pops' next. Someone was walking down the street today in
pink tights with black and white piano keys down the side. Can you remember
the black leather tie with the silver ring around the top? And they were
on elastic, I think. They were cool at the time though - they were Reservoir
Dogs before Reservoir Dogs.

MT: What's it like working with Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy (the ex-80s popstar
produced and co-wrote "Intensive Care")?

RW: He's brilliant. I think he hates the moniker 'Tin Tin' - every time
it's brought up you see him wince. But "Kiss Me" is a great tune and Stephen's
done the most amazing folk albums. He has had about 13 albums out since
then. He was living a very charmed life: you release an album, enough people
buy it to make another one. And then I came along and he's never been the
same since. He's aged about ten years since we started working together
- it's amazing the stress that man puts himself under.

MT: You're on this week's City Life cover, but here's one I prepared earlier
(shows Robbie cover of issue 601). That's me on the cover, with my breakfast
show co-host Chelsea. Tell me - where does she stand in the great scheme
of things?

RW: Chelsea, I'm looking at a picture of you now doing the Patsy Kensit thing.
Put the dog in a kennel, come down to London, interview me, stay over for
the evening, I'll take you out. I'm actually talking to your picture like
you're gonna talk back to me. But look, you've got all the correct stuff
there.

MT: It's actually often better when she doesn't talk to you.

RW: Are there any more pictures inside? (opens the magazine) Mmmm, she
looks Australian.

MT: Do you know? She is. Bloody hell, you are mystical. She really does
come from Australia.

RW: Really? Does she know someone called (coming over all medium)... I'm
getting Jean. Be wary of Jean - she wants your chives.

MT: Robbie, you've got to go. But it's been real.

RW: It has been real. And it's been a pleasure. And to everybody in Manchester,
I love you all. Apart from a few...

MT: Apart from Mick Hucknall?

RW: No, I love Mick Hucknall.

MT: You don't love the Gallagher brothers? Is that feud going on or are
you mates now?

RW: I do love the Gallagher brothers. I think it's brilliant because Noel
gets money off the government for looking after his brother.'