Robbie Williams on the power of Placebo’s ‘Nancy Boy’: “We all need heroes to relate to”

The former Take That member said the 1997 track “embraced the confusion” for him.

The 1997 track was the fourth single from their self-titled debut album. Using a homophobic insult as its title, it explored fluid sexuality and drugs, something Williams has now said “embraced the confusion” for him.
In a short clip taken from his appearance in the documentary film Placebo: This Search For Meaning, he reflected on the significance of the song. “The melodies, the voice, the lyrics, the meaning, the depth, the import,” he said. “You know we all need heroes to relate to and to aspire to, and for many and for me that comes in the form of Brian [Molko].”

The film – directed by BAFTA winner Oscar Sansom and set for cinematic screenings throughout October – features revealing in-depth interviews with the band alongside CCTV-style contributions from celebrity fans including Benedict Cumberbatch, Yungblud, Garbage‘s Shirley Manson and IDLES’ Joe Talbot, alongside live performances of tracks from the band’s 2022 album ‘Never Let Me Go’.

Last month, frontman Brian Molko and bassist–guitarist Stefan Olsdal appeared at the premiere of of the film to discuss its themes – which include addiction, mental health, gender politics and the film’s rare and unseen footage following the band’s relationship with David Bowie.