This week in 1997: Robbie Williams misses out on his first solo Number 1

Ah, the nineties. Tamagotchis, Beanie Babies, mobile phones the size of bricks – and Robbie Williams. After leaving behind his Take That mates, Rob's solo career had a little bit of a false start with a cover of George Michael's Freedom, which hit Number 2 in 1996.

It wasn't until the following year when Robbie really got things going, and this week in 1997 he was facing disappointment yet again as Old Before I Die – which would be the lead single from his solo debut album – missed out on the top spot. 

Despite having very little solo material to compare it against, Old Before I Die was unmistakably Robbie. Poking fun at his legendary passion for going out and having a good time, and stirring rumours about his sexuality, Old Before I Die was the perfect introduction to a post-TT Robbie. The song marked the beginning of what would be a long partnership with writer and producer Guy Chambers (although Guy didn't write this one).

There'd be a bit of an image rethink after this one, before the album came out. The hair would be shaved off and as for that facial hair… well, it was on its way out.

Robbie was denied his first chart-topper by R Kelly, who was enjoying a third week at Number 1 with I Believe I Can Fly. Despite debuting with first-week sales of over 76,000, demand for the other R was greater – he finished 10,000 copies ahead.

He wouldn't have any Number 1s from his first solo effort Life Thru A Lens – he would have to wait until 1998 before Millennium did the business for him.

Life Thru A Lens did give Robbie his biggest selling single, however – Angels. It never went higher than Number 4, but that doesn't matter when you've got a million-seller on your hands.

MORE: See all Robbie's UK hit singles and albums

Take a look at the Top 10 from this week in 1997, and click on the pic to feast your eyes on the full Top 100:

Staring At The Sun, new at 3, gave U2 their 18th Top 10, while Daft Punk got a second one with Around The World (5). Farther down the chart, Michelle Gayle's seventh and final Top 40 hit, Sensational, was new at 14, and there were other new entries from 2Pac, the Wannadies, Zhane and G.U.N. What do you mean "WHO?!?"?

Here's Old Before I Die. Doesn't Robbie look different?