Robbie Williams opens up

Robbie Williams may have money, fame and musical success. The suave James Bond wannabe admits, however, that while the sun may be shining today, fame doesn't protect him from clouds of depression and self doubt.

"I'm good, I'm looking out of my window and the world is good. God sent me a nice day today," Williams sighs into the phone from his home in the U.K.

God also sent Williams a nice, high number of record sales, and a huge fanbase. But the fame and money don't seem to be the two things he's most proud of. He's proud of his ability to write music and find the perfect words to suit the songs.

The lyrical hit "Angels" is Williams' current favourite.

"The song as a whole is just a great song. I'm very proud of it and I'm very proud of the words."

Williams seems to think if he keeps writing good songs, his fan base will keep growing. He's been right so far. Thousands of fans cram in concert halls to hear and see him perform in the UK and the number of North American Robbie fans is growing. In his own words, the fans are "loud" wherever he goes.

The singer's playful mood quickly switches when he has to decide what aspects of his career he's proud of.

"I feel very sad because I can't be proud of what I've done. I don't think I'm worth it."

Robbie says he's searching for the one thing that will make him happy, and proud. He explains that it's been difficult being so wealthy and famous for so long.

"I have a privileged life. Which I've become accustomed to. It's kind of sad because I've had it from such an early age that you kind of lose sight of how much it means. I went to school, then I had money and was famous. So it's difficult for me to feel lucky, and that's a very blase attitude."

Williams hopes to give something back to those less fortunate. His first step is Net-Aid, a global charity concert that's promoting help for those living in severe poverty.

"I've come to the conclusion of 'How much do I acutually need?' All this success and all the money didn't make me happy and hasn't made me happy. I was thinking I could give it away. Give my time and help and use my fame in a constructive way."

But just as quickly as his mood switches to serious, it switches back to playful mood.

Williams sounds excited about his new single called "It's Only Us," that was released in the UK last week. The song is being used as the theme for a the new Sony Play Station Fifa 2000 football game. He says he did the song because he's a huge fan of football and video games. "She's the One" is also on the double A side single.

Even though he was griping about his life a few minutes earlier, he becomes excited when talking about his career. He raves about his experience singing with Tom Jones. The two sang together Brit Awards and recorded Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Going To Go My Way," together.

Williams says Jones is a real "man." Jones must admire the pop star too.

"He said on a television show that if anybody would play him (Tom Jones)in his life story, it would be me," says Robbie proudly. The Brit pop sensation also has plans for Canadian fans.(Williams will be in Toronto on Oct. 18 and in Kitchener on 19th.) He plans to organise a whisper game with the audience. He says the first whispered word will be "bollocks." Besides the whisper game, Canadian fans can probably expect loud, fun and entertaining show.

Robbie knows he has a lot of fans who are following his every move. He has a simple message for the screaming masses. "I hope they get as much from my music as I get from writing it. If it touches the places that it's touching me than I'm pleased that it is."

As far as William's plans for the future are concerned, he sounds unsure of what to expect but does have a few dreams. He says the music will take care of itself as it's a by-product of his life. He sounds a little more interested in his personal life though.

"I'd like to be able to fall in love with somebody and have children."

For now, Robbie will have to be content with two new female puppies and the adoration of pop music fans.

As he gets ready to say good-bye, he stops for a moment and tries to decide what he really wants from life.

"I'd like to sit beneath a tree and have the universe at one with me," he finally answers.

Robbie Williams will be in Toronto on Oct. 18th and in Kitchener on the 19th.