"Take the Crown" is the ninth studio album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, released in the UK on November 5, 2012, via Island Records. The album features the lead single "Candy," which Williams co-wrote with Gary Barlow and became his seventh solo number one single in the UK. It also includes the original demo version of Take That's "Eight Letters," performed entirely by Williams. This album marked Williams' return to solo work after three years, having rejoined Take That in 2010.
Take the Crown was recognized as the 36th global best-selling album of 2012, selling 1.2 million copies. At the 2013 Brit Awards, "Candy" was nominated for British Single of the Year but lost to Adele's "Skyfall." To promote the album, Williams embarked on the Take the Crown Stadium Tour from June to August 2013.
Williams described the album as a product of his rejuvenated energy following the Take That reunion, expressing a desire to create a massive solo album filled with hit potential. Pre-orders began on September 3, 2012, and industry reviews highlighted the album as a confident pop record with no misses—just hits.
"Candy" was released as the lead single on October 29, 2012, and quickly became his fastest-selling male artist single of the year, reaching number one in the UK. Following "Candy," the singles "Different" and "Be a Boy" were also released, though with varying commercial success.
Critically, Take the Crown received generally positive reviews, achieving a Metacritic score of 65/100. Critics noted the production quality and a mix of styles, with some comparing it to the sounds of U2 and the Bee Gees. While the album showcased anthemic pop-rock songs, some reviews suggested it leaned towards a more mature sound, distancing itself from the more playful elements of Williams' earlier work.
Commercially, Take the Crown debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, marking Williams' tenth number one album. In 2012, it sold 445,500 copies in the UK, and by December 2013, total sales reached 515,207 copies.
In November 2012, Williams performed three concerts at The O2 Arena in London, which were recorded and released as limited edition live albums. The final show was broadcast live and received positive reviews for its entertainment value, showcasing Williams' engaging performance style and ability to connect with the audience.
