"Reality Killed the Video Star" is the eighth solo studio album by English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams, released in November 2009. The album was produced by Trevor Horn and recorded between September 2008 and August 2009 in London and Los Angeles. It debuted in the top ten of 22 national album charts worldwide and has received mixed reviews from critics. The album blends elements of pop rock, dance-rock, alternative rock, and adult contemporary music. Many saw it as Williams' "comeback album" following the relative failure of his 2006 release, Rudebox.
The album was preceded by the lead single "Bodies," which was released in October 2009. Other singles include "You Know Me" and "Morning Sun." Reality Killed the Video Star was certified platinum in Europe for sales of over one million copies, including 900,000 copies in the UK. However, it was the first of Williams' albums not to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart, losing the top spot to JLS's debut album by less than 1%.
Reality Killed the Video Star was Williams' first studio album in three years. During this time, he worked with several producers, including Guy Chambers, Soul Mekanik, Mark Ronson, and Trevor Horn, though he later confirmed the album was entirely produced by Horn. Initially, there were rumors that Williams had reunited with Chambers, but it was later confirmed that the song "Blasphemy" was co-written by the pair during the sessions for his 2002 album Escapology. The album was primarily written in Williams' home studio and recorded in London. Other collaborators included Danny Spencer, Kelvin Andrews, Brandon Christy, Craig Russo, Richard Scott, Scott Ralph, Chas Jankel, and Fil Eisler.
The album title Reality Killed the Video Star was a reference to the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, a band once led by Horn. The album had initially been planned to be titled Il Protagonista, but was changed at the suggestion of Williams' management, who felt the title sounded "too pretentious." Williams expressed excitement about the album's sound, calling it "Very, very big" and referring to it as a combination of old, new, and experimental elements.
In the wake of Michael Jackson's death in June 2009, Williams recorded a tribute song, "Morning Sun," co-written with James Bond lyricist Don Black. Initially thought to be about Jackson, Williams later revealed that the song was more about himself, reflecting on his own life and career.
Musically, the album marks a return to Williams' pop roots after the more experimental Rudebox. Critics noted that Reality Killed the Video Star features lush ballads like "Morning Sun" and "You Know Me," along with the intricate lyrics of "Blasphemy" and the 1980s-style sound of "Last Days of Disco." Some tracks, like "Deceptacon," feature light psychedelia, while others like "Starstruck" and "Difficult for Weirdos" experiment with electronic dance music.
The album's promotion included a special CD called Songbook, given away with the 11 October 2009 issue of The Mail on Sunday, featuring classic Robbie Williams tracks and a preview of songs from the new album. Williams also appeared on The X Factor on 11 October 2009 to perform "Bodies" live, and on the cover of GQ magazine in November 2009. He performed at the BBC Electric Proms on 20 October 2009, which was broadcast live in cinemas across Europe. The performance marked his first live show in over three years and received positive reviews.
In addition, Williams performed at various events promoting the album, including the 2009 ARIA Music Awards in Australia, the Loose Women TV show, and a special intimate concert in Sydney in November 2009. The album's third single, "Morning Sun," was performed at the 2010 NRJ Music Awards and at the 2010 BRIT Awards, where Williams won the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. He also performed "Morning Sun" at the 2010 Echo Awards in Berlin, where he was awarded "Best International Male Artist."
Reality Killed the Video Star was an album that blended Williams' familiar pop style with new musical influences, marking a pivotal moment in his career after the experimental direction of Rudebox.
