Guy Chambers

Guy Antony Chambers (born 12 January 1963) is an English songwriter, musician and record producer, best known for his work with Robbie Williams.

Education

Chambers attended Quarry Bank Comprehensive School sixth form in Liverpool. From 18, he studied composition and piano at the Guildhall School of Music, London.

Career

Chambers joined World Party in 1986. He co-wrote 'Love Street' with Karl Wallinger on the band's album '' Goodbye Jumbo''. He appeared on The Mission's album ''Carved in Sand'', providing the orchestral arrangement and piano for the song "Grapes of Wrath", and was producer for the short-lived group Stress with their debut album.

In 1992, Chambers formed his own band The Lemon Trees and wrote, produced and performed with them until they disbanded in 1995. The band only released one album - ''Open Book''. Following the end of The Lemon Trees, Chambers wrote with Cathy Dennis on '' Am I the Kinda Girl?'' and other albums before meeting Robbie Williams in January 1997. Their first work together, '' Life thru a Lens'', was released in September 1997. In the next five years, they produced four other albums: '' I've Been Expecting You'', ''Sing When You're Winning'', ''Swing When You're Winning'' and ''Escapology''. Following 2002's ''Escapology'', both Williams and Chambers went on to collaborate with other writers and artists for the next ten years, eventually reuniting for 2013's ''Swings Both Ways'', 2017's '' The Heavy Entertainment Show'' and 2019's '' The Christmas Present''.

In 2016, Chambers and Williams teamed up with Chris Heath to compose the music and lyrics for the Royal Shakespeare Company's musical adaptation of David Walliams’ book '' The Boy in the Dress'', which opened in 2019-20 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. In 2018, Chambers wrote a children’s folk opera based on the Oscar Wilde short story " The Selfish Giant". He released his debut solo piano album ''Go Gentle Into the Light'' on 3 May 2019. It reached number 49 on the UK Albums Chart.

Collaboration with Robbie Williams

Chambers co-wrote a number of Williams' tracks, including " Rock DJ", "Feel", "Millennium", " Let Me Entertain You" and "Angels".

In November 2012, Chambers and Williams were reunited onstage for the latter's shows at the O2 Arena.

The release of ''Swings Both Ways'' was announced by Williams in September 2013. It was released in the UK by Island Records on 18 November. The album featured cover versions of well known songs, as well as six new tracks written by Williams and Chambers, who also produced the album. ''Swings Both Ways'' also featured duets between Williams and Lily Allen, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, Olly Murs and Rufus Wainwright. In 2014, Chambers and Williams toured ''Swings Both Ways'', covering Europe, Asia and Australia.

In 2015, Chambers joined Williams on the road for the '' Let Me Entertain You Tour''. The tour began in Spain and travelled through Europe and Asia, reaching Australia in October. They also played at various festivals throughout the summer. In 2016, Williams and Chambers collaborated on ''The Heavy Entertainment Show'' which preceded The Heavy Entertainment Show Tour, and in 2019, they collaborated once again on ''The Christmas Present''. Chambers co-wrote and produced tracks off '' Under the Radar Volume 1, 2 and 3'' comprising demos, B-sides and rarities.

Other collaborations and projects

In 2002, Chambers wrote "Staring Into Space" for BBMak's second album. In 2003, he co wrote "Melt" with Melanie C on the album ''Reason'', which he co-produced along with Richard Flack.

In 2004, Chambers worked with Beverley Knight, co-writing the songs "Affirmation" (also the title track of the album), "No-One Ever Loves in Vain", "Under the Same Sun" and the top ten single "Come As You Are". He reunited with Knight on the 2009 album '' 100%'' and co-wrote the title track " Soul Survivor" that Knight duetted on with Chaka Khan. That same year he co-wrote "Shine" with Kara DioGuardi for Hilary Duff. He also co-wrote and co produced "Silent Movie" with Natasha Bedingfield for her album '' Unwritten''. In the same year, he co-produced American singer-songwriter Aslyn's debut album ''Lemon Love'', and co-wrote the song "Here", and co-wrote 7 songs on Brian McFadden's debut album — including the single "Real to Me", and the follow up singles "Irish Son" and "Demons".

In 2007, he co-wrote four songs on Anastacia's fourth album ''Heavy Rotation''. He teamed up with Christophe Willem on his second record ''Cafeine'', co-wrote with Matt Hales from Aqualung on the single "Heartbox" and with Cathy Dennis on "Sensitized", a duet with Kylie Minogue, for Dennis' solo record, released in 2009. Additional work that year involved new work with British artists Julian Perretta, Katie Melua, Random Impulse, Marlon Roudette and Taio Cruz.

In 2010, Chambers began working on the single " World Behind My Wall" released by pop/rock band Tokio Hotel. Chambers also co-wrote Tokio Hotel's track, "Pain of Love" which featured on their album, '' Humanoid''. Katie Melua's album '' The House'', released 24 May 2010, included five co-written songs for her new album produced by William Orbit, including "I'd Like to Kill You", "The Flood" (first single), "A Happy Place", "A Moment of Madness" and "Tiny Alien". Chambers also worked on the track "Virtual Friend", co-written with Armin van Buuren for his 2010 album, '' Mirage''.

In 2011, Chambers worked on new material with English singer-songwriters Katy B and Charlene Soraia. He also teamed up with Example, co-writing the song "Microphone" which featured on Example's album, ''Playing in the Shadows''. In the same year, Chambers worked with Marlon Roudette, producing and co-writing her single "New Age". A track Chambers had written with Julian Lennon titled "Never Let You Go" was released on Lennon's album '' Everything Changes''. Chambers collaborated with BBC2 for two three-part programmes: ''Goldie's Band: By Royal Appointment'' airing in April and ''Secrets of a Pop Song'' which aired throughout July. Through the series, Chambers worked alongside Mark Ronson to create a single, singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright to create a ballad, and British band Noisettes to compose an anthem. Chambers & Wainwright's "World War III" features on the digital version of Wainwright's album ''Out of the Game''.

Chambers has collaborated with Sophie Hunter on two studio albums: the French-language ''The Isis Project'' (2005) and the English-language ''Songs for a Boy'' (2011).

In 2013, Chambers collaborated with Maverick Sabre in his new West London studio on new material for the artist, as well as working on new material with Rufus Wainwright, and co-writing "Out of Control" with Miles Kane, a track from Kane's second studio album '' Don't Forget Who You Are''. In 2014, Chambers wrote "Crying for No Reason" with Katy B. In 2016, Chambers collaborated again with Kylie Minogue, Marlon Roudette, and Rufus Wainwright, and wrote and recorded with John Newman.

In 2019 Chambers collaborated with Robbie Williams on the music and lyrics for RSC stage show '' The Boy in the Dress'', the stage adaptation of David Walliams's book of the same name.

Charity work

On 25 October 2012, Chambers, Steve Rotheram MP and Kenny Dalglish called a press conference in the Houses of Parliament to announce the release of the charity single "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" – a cover of the Hollies track which was aiming to raise funds and awareness for the campaign for justice for the Hillsborough families who lost 96 loved ones in the football disaster of 1989. The single was released on 17 December 2012 and went on to take the Christmas number one position for 2012 on the UK Singles Chart.

Discography

Solo albums

* ''Go Gentle Into the Light'' (2019) No. 49 UK

Production work

Chambers has contributed as a musician, producer and/or writer to the following:

Albums

* '' The Christmas Present'' (2019) – Robbie Williams
* '' Under the Radar Volume 3'' – (2019)Robbie Williams
* '' Under the Radar Volume 2'' (2017) – Robbie Williams
* '' The Heavy Entertainment Show'' (2016) – Robbie Williams
* '' Under the Radar Volume 1'' (2014) – Robbie Williams
* ''Swings Both Ways'' (2013) – Robbie Williams
* '' Don't Forget Who You Are'' (2013) – Miles Kane
* ''The Shocking Miss Emerald'' (2013) – Caro Emerald
* '' Femme Schmidt'' (2012) – SCHMIDT
* ''Out of the Game'' (2012) – Rufus Wainwright
* '' A Holiday Carole'' (2011) – Carole King
* '' Battleground'' (2011) – The Wanted
* ''Playing in the Shadows'' (2011) – Example
* '' Matter Fixed'' (2011) – Marlon Roudette
* '' Songs for a Boy'' (2011) – Sophie Hunter
* '' 100%'' (2011) – Beverley Knight
* '' The Sea'' (2011) – Melanie C
* ''The Wanted'' (2010) – The Wanted
* '' In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010'' (2010) – Robbie Williams
* '' Mirage'' (2010) – Armin van Buuren
* '' The House'' (2010) – Katie Melua
* '' Caféine'' (2010) – Christophe Willem
* ''Reality Killed the Video Star'' (2009) – Robbie Williams
* '' Humanoid'' (2009) – Tokio Hotel
* '' Love Is Dead'' (2009) – Kerli
* '' Boombox'' (2009) – Kylie Minogue
* '' Tina!: Her Greatest Hits'' (2008) – Tina Turner
* '' Heavy Rotation'' (2008) – Anastacia
* ''I Am'' (2008) – Monrose
* '' e2'' (2008) – Eros Ramazzotti
* ''MP3'' (2008) – M. Pokora
* '' X'' (2007) – Kylie Minogue
* '' This Delicate Thing We've Made'' (2007) – Darren Hayes
* '' Music City Soul'' (2007) – Beverley Knight
* '' This Time'' (2007) – Melanie C
* '' Welcome to Reality'' (2007) – Ross Copperman
* '' The Orange Album'' (2007) – Stefy
* '' Forever Begins Tonight'' (2006) – Patrizio Buanne
* '' What Love Is'' (2006) – Erin Boheme
* ''Voice'' (2006) – Beverley Knight
* ''Switch'' (2005) – INXS
* '' The Isis Project'' (2005) – Sophie Hunter

* ''Beautiful Intentions'' (re-release) (2005) – Melanie C
* ''Tissues and Issues'' (2005) – Charlotte Church
* '' Catching Tales'' (2005) – Jamie Cullum
* ''Lemon Love'' (2005) – Aslyn
* ''Nolita'' (2004) – Keren Ann
* '' Back To Bedlam'' (2004) – James Blunt
* '' Affirmation'' (2004) – Beverley Knight
* '' Irish Son'' (2004) – Brian McFadden
* '' Unwritten'' (2004) – Natasha Bedingfield
* ''Mistaken Identity'' (2004) – Delta Goodrem
* ''Hilary Duff'' (2004) – Hilary Duff
* '' Andrea'' (2004) – Andrea Bocelli
* ''Ultimate Kylie'' (2004) – Kylie Minogue
* ''Greatest Hits'' (2004) – Robbie Williams
* '' Save Yourself'' (2004) – Speedway
* ''A Present For Everyone'' (2003) – Busted
* '' Careful What You Wish For'' (2003) – Texas
* ''Reason'' (2003) – Melanie C
* '' Fleshwounds'' (2003) – Skin
* '' Funky Dory'' (2003) – Rachel Stevens
* '' SoulO'' (2003) – Nick Lachey
* '' Live at Knebworth'' (2003) – Robbie Williams
* '' From Now On'' (2002) – Will Young
* '' Into Your Head'' (2002) – BBMak
* ''Escapology'' (2002) – Robbie Williams
* '' Love & Life'' (2001) – Diana Ross
* ''Swing When You're Winning'' (2001) – Robbie Williams
* '' Jardin Secret'' (2001) – Axelle Red
* ''Light Years'' (2000) – Kylie Minogue
* ''Sing When You're Winning'' (2000) – Robbie Williams
* '' Reload'' (1999) – Tom Jones
* '' The Live Adventures of the Waterboys'' (1999) – The Waterboys
* '' I've Been Expecting You'' (1998) – Robbie Williams
* '' Life Thru a Lens'' (1997) – Robbie Williams
* ''Egyptology'' (1997) – World PartyRoberts, David. ''Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums''. Guinness World Records Ltd 18th edition (May 2005), p. 608
* '' Am I the Kinda Girl?'' (1996) – Cathy Dennis
* '' Bang!'' (1993) – World Party
* ''Stress'' (1991) – Stress
* '' Goodbye Jumbo'' (1990) – World Party

Singles

* " Only When We're Naked" (2017) – Zak Abel
* " Dream A Little Dream" (2013) – Robbie Williams
* "Go Gentle" (2013) – Robbie Williams
* " Tangled Up" (2013) – Caro Emerald
* " He Aint Heavy ... He's My Brother" (2012) – The Justice Collective
* " Single Tear" (2012) – Tyler James
* "New Age" (2011) – Marlon Roudette
* " Soul Survivor" (2010) – Beverley Knight
* " A Happy Place" (2010) – Katie Melua
* " The Flood" (2010) – Katie Melua
* " World Behind My Wall" (2010) – Tokio Hotel
* " Why Not Us" (2008) – Monrose
* " Naïve" (2007) – Axelle Red
* " Together We Are One" (2006) – Delta Goodrem
* "Afterglow" (2006) – INXS
* " Pretty Vegas" (2005) – INXS
* " First Day of My Life" (2005) – Melanie C
* " Come As You Are" (2004) – Beverley Knight
* " Real To Me" (2004) – Brian McFadden
* " Irish Son" (2004) – Brian McFadden
* " Out of the Blue" (2004) – Delta Goodrem

* ''Let's Take Our Time'' (2004) – Ryan Cabrera
* " I'll See It Through" (2003) – Texas
* " Sexed Up" (2003) – Robbie Williams
* " Something Beautiful" (2003) – Robbie Williams
* "Feel" (2002) – Robbie Williams
* "Somethin' Stupid" (2001) – Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman
* " Better Man" (2001) – Robbie Williams
* " Eternity/The Road to Mandalay" (2001) – Robbie Williams
* " Let Love Be Your Energy" (2001) – Robbie Williams
* "Your Disco Needs You" (2001) – Kylie Minogue
* " Supreme" (2000) – Robbie Williams
* " Kids" (2000) – Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue
* " Rock DJ" (2000) – Robbie Williams
* " Win Some Lose Some" (1999) – Robbie Williams
* " She's the One/It's Only Us" (1999) – Robbie Williams
* " Strong" (1999) – Robbie Williams
* " No Regrets" (1998) – Robbie Williams
* "Millennium" (1998) – Robbie Williams
* "Angels" (1997) – Robbie Williams
* " South of the Border" (1997) – Robbie Williams
* "Lazy Days" (1997) – Robbie Williams
* " Old Before I Die" (1997) – Robbie Williams

Films
* '' Walk Like a Panther'' (2017)
* ''What a Man'' (2012) – "New Age" – Marlon Roudette
* ''Arthur'' (2011) – "Can't Buy You" – Mark Ronson & Daniel Merriweather
* ''Kinky Boots'' (2005)
* ''Fantastic Four'' (2005) – "Always Come Back To You" – Ryan Cabrera
* ''Raise Your Voice'' (2004) – "Shine" – Hilary Duff
* ''Love Actually'' (2003) – "I'll See It Through" – Texas
* ''Finding Nemo'' (2003) – "Beyond The Sea" – Robbie Williams
* ''Bridget Jones's Diary'' (2001) – "Have You Met Miss Jones?", "Not of This Earth" – Robbie Williams
* ''A Knight's Tale'' (2001) – "We Are the Champions" – Robbie Williams
* ''Bend It Like Beckham'' (2002) – "Dream The Dream" – Shaznay Lewis
* ''Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'' (1998) – "Man Machine" – Robbie Williams
* ''Nobody Someday'' (2002) – "Nobody Someday" – Robbie Williams
* ''Mean Machine'' (2001) – "Let Me Entertain You" – Robbie Williams

Orchestral arrangements

* Julian Cope – " Sunspots" ('' Fried'' 1984)
* Julian Cope – " Sunshine Playroom" ('' World Shut Your Mouth'' 1984)

References

External links

Guychambers.com
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chambers, Guy
Living people
1963 births
English songwriters
English record producers
The Waterboys members
Ivor Novello Award winners
People from Hammersmith
Musicians from London
Alumni of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
People educated at King David School, Liverpool
People educated at King David High School, Liverpool
Robbie Williams Band members
The Lemon Trees members