Home / Arts and Entertainment / Gary Barlow's 'Worst' Take That Song Revealed
Gary Barlow's 'Worst' Take That Song Revealed
14 May
Summary
- Top of the Pops launch was pivotal for Take That's mainstream breakthrough.
- Gary Barlow felt 'defeated' by their first hit being a cover song.
- Robbie Williams' departure marked a crack in the band's image.

Take That's early career faced challenges, with their chart performance hinging on the success of 'It Only Takes A Minute'. Securing a slot on Top of the Pops proved pivotal, transforming the group's trajectory into mainstream recognition. This initial success, however, left songwriter Gary Barlow feeling 'defeated' as the hit was a cover song rather than his own composition.
The band's gradual ascent allowed them to bond, benefiting them in the long run. While 'I Found Heaven' was later branded by Barlow as their 'worst' song, his own composition 'A Million Love Songs' brought him vindication. Their fame rapidly accelerated, leading to cancelled events due to safety fears.
By 1993, Take That achieved their first No1 single with 'Pray,' a song that defined their sound and earned Barlow songwriting accolades. Subsequent hits like 'Relight My Fire,' 'Babe,' and 'Everything Changes' solidified their status, with 'Everything Changes' setting a new chart-topper milestone previously held by The Beatles. During this peak, the band adopted a grittier aesthetic, reflecting personal turmoil as their pristine image began to crack.
The immense pressure of fame became increasingly apparent, with Jason admitting the growing glitz masked underlying doubts. This strain ultimately contributed to Robbie Williams' departure, marking a significant shift for the group.