Songfacts®:

• Robbie Williams penned this song with the help of Garret "Jacknife" Lee. The Irish producer has worked with a variety of artists, including The Cars, U2, R.E.M., Snow Patrol, Bloc Party and Weezer. Lee described his experience working on Take the Crown: "When I got a phone call [saying] 'Do you want to meet Robbie Williams?' I thought 'F--k yeah!' said the producer. "I think any artist who is going to have longevity needs to try stuff. That's the bit of Rob that I'm attracted to... a fearlessness about being big, about connecting with people and he's one of those artists who it's very hard not to be a fan of. "
• The song was released as the second single from Take The Crown. Said Robbie: "It's the great hope of the second single variety! A lot of effort went into this song, which is a very personal statement."
• Jacknife Lee said of the track: "I think when Robbie gets a song right it's the vulnerability mixed with bravado that makes it so compelling."
• The song's music video sees Williams portraying a gangster in a fictional 1948 movie titled The Criminal, while we also see him conducting the score of the same film.