Robbie Williams' fall from grace has been astonishingly rapid and unjust. While he was content to churn out the same three songs repeatedly (the sarcastic, poppy one, the heartfelt love one and the droney, self-pitying one) it was easier to split the atom than split him from the charts. The very moment he gets interesting, with the madcap, brimful of ideas "Rudebox", the nation shrugs its shoulders and seeks solace in the arms of that one man allergic reaction, Mika.
So "She's Madonna" has attracted the least attention of any Robbie single ever, despite being one of his loveliest pop songs in years. The Pet Shop Boys create a warm, luscious backdrop over which Robbie Williams delivers one of his richest vocals. And though the post-modern lyrical conceit could have fallen flat on its face in high camp stilettos - Robbie dumps his girl for the biggest pop star on the planet, then goes drinking with Kate, Stella and Gwyneth - he pulls it off by somehow injecting the track with sincerity and genuine wit ("she's got to be obscene to be believed").
It'll probably flop, but better an interesting failure than a dreary success.
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