Meaning of Eternity by Robbie Williams
Chrysalis Records released Eternity as part of a double A-side on 9 July 2001, alongside another Robbie Williams’ track titled The Road to Mandalay. The latter was featured Robbie’s third-studio album, Sing When You’re Winning (2000). And as for Eternity, it eventually made an appearance on the singer’s Greatest Hits album which came out in 2004.
The two tracks are further connected in that the music video to Eternity, as assembled by director Vaughan Arnell, is a follow-up to that of The Road to Mandalay. And in unison, these two songs topped the UK Singles Chart, besides charting in over a dozen other European countries (and also reaching number one in New Zealand).
Lyrics of Eternity
Eternity was inspired by Robbie’s relationship with another popular British singer, Geri Halliwell, who some readers will also recognize as “Ginger Spice”, a member of the ultra-successful Spice Girls.
To note, Williams and Halliwell do have a terse dating history. But more to the point is the pair sharing a genuine friendship which transcends romance or the music industry.
And it appears that this relationship was at its peak circa the turn of the century, around the time Robbie left Take That, and Geri parted ways with the Spice Girls.
One of the greatest accomplishments of this union is Williams having helped Halliwell, who for a time only weighed 98 pounds, overcome bulimia. Or viewed from a different angle, Geri was once in a visibly troubled state.
So presuming that she is the addressee, the purpose of the lyrics is twofold. First, the singer goes about sympathizing with the person he’s singing to, who’s presented as someone not only dealing with childhood trauma but also, as can be interpreted via the first verse, the less-than-ideal social and psychological effects of being famous.
The pre-chorus also implies that the addressee has “been betrayed”. And in that regard, Robbie seems to be encouraging her to remain patient, as eventually “the truth will [come] out”, and she’ll be vindicated.
All in all
So ultimately, Eternity is a song of encouragement. And it is not only that Williams sympathizes with the addressee but also, as relayed in the chorus, values how this person has likewise contributed to his wellbeing. Therefore, he is hoping that she ‘finds her freedom for eternity’, i.e. a lasting sense of peace as opposed to a fleeting one.
Other Interesting Facts about Eternity
Brian May, of Queen fame, serves as the electric guitarist on this track.
Robbie Williams wrote Eternity himself, and its producers are Guy Chambers and Steve Power.
