'I Can't Compete': Robbie Williams Moves Album Release To Avoid Clashing With Taylor Swift

Robbie Williams has admitted that he pushed back the release of his forthcoming album, Britpop, to 2026, to avoid clashing with Taylor Swift.

The album was initially set for release on Friday, 10 October—a week after Taylor Swift released her 12th record, The Life Of A Showgirl. Playing an intimate show at London’s Dingwalls on Thursday (9 October), Williams opened up about the previously described “scheduling issues” behind postponing the release of Britpop.

During the show, the Angels singer premiered songs from the album and performed his beloved debut album, Life Thru A Lens, in its entirety. With Williams releasing his forthcoming album next year, he seeks his 16th #1 album in the UK—breaking a record he’s currently tied with The Beatles.

“We’re all pretending [the scheduling change] is not about Taylor Swift, but it fucking is, you can’t compete with that,” Williams said, per Billboard.

He added, “I was worried about making you [fans] all wait for the record. But then I was like, ‘Fuck it.’ I’m sorry, but I’m fucking being selfish. How many times in your life do you get to have the most No. 1 albums the UK has fucking ever had?”

He backed up those comments in an interview with BBC Radio 1 hosts Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges, revealing that he “desperately” wants to nab his #16th UK #1 album.

Commenting on Swift’s chart domination, Williams said, “I’m still a big deal, but I can’t compete with that one. So, I’ve shifted it. I’ve moved it a little bit.”

Being on even footing with The Beatles is something he can’t believe, adding, “It’s an alternative reality that I step into when I think about my career and I think about that particular record, but I’ll take it.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m really competitive, too, which is why I moved the album. I desperately want that thing.”

Upon announcing Britpop was on the way earlier this year, Williams revealed that he aimed to create the album that he “wanted to write and release” following his departure from Take That in 1995.

An album that returns to the peak of Britpop, Williams said he worked with some of his heroes to present an album that’s “raw” and contains more guitars.

He explained, “It’s an album that’s even more upbeat and anthemic than usual. There’s some ‘Brit’ in there and there’s certainly some ‘pop’ too – I’m immensely proud of this as a body of work and I’m excited for fans to hear this album.”