Take That's Mark Owen Finally Reveals True Inspiration Behind Hit Song 'Shine'
In a revealing new documentary series that promises to lift the lid on decades of boyband history, Take That's Mark Owen has finally addressed one of the most persistent rumours surrounding their music catalogue. The Manchester-born singer has clarified the true meaning behind their smash-hit track 'Shine', which many fans and even fellow band member Robbie Williams believed was written specifically about him.
The Documentary Revelation
The much-anticipated documentary series, simply titled Take That, is set to premiere on Netflix on January 27th, offering unprecedented access to the band's journey from their early days to their current status as British music icons. Within the series, Mark Owen opens up about the creation of 'Shine', a track that almost didn't make it onto their 2006 comeback album Beautiful World but ultimately became one of their most beloved songs.
"A lot of people think it's about Rob," Owen admits in the documentary, before delivering the clarification that has been years in the making. "I think Rob thinks it's about Rob, so I didn't want to tell him it wasn't. It's about all of us, it's about me."
The Robbie Williams Connection
For years, speculation has swirled around the song's lyrics, particularly lines like "You, you're such a big star to me. You're everything I wanna be" and references to a "big star stuck in a hole." Given Robbie Williams' well-documented struggles with depression and addiction throughout his career, many listeners naturally assumed the song was a direct commentary on his personal battles.
Robbie himself has previously expressed his belief that the song was about him, telling interviewers: "I do believe it was written about me. I did ask Mark when we first got back together, 'Go on, it's about me, isn't it?' I think it is."
The Angels singer, who originally left Take That in 1995 before reuniting with the band in 2010, has been open about his personal demons, having checked into rehabilitation facilities multiple times to address drug and alcohol addiction issues.
The Band's Emotional Reunion
The documentary also delves into the emotional dynamics surrounding Take That's 2006 reunion, which proved to be a monumental success despite initial challenges. When Jason Orange and Mark Owen initially missed Robbie's presence in the reformed lineup, they embarked on a mission to Los Angeles to convince him to return.
What they found was not the polished superstar they remembered. Bandmate Gary Barlow recalls: "Robbie was in a funny place at that time. He was dressed like Demis Roussos. He looked like a Jedi. He was obviously going through his demons."
The reunion required significant emotional groundwork, with Barlow remembering a crucial conversation: "I had a lot of stuff I wanted to say to Rob and he had a lot of stuff he wanted to say to me. There were things about us not being supportive about his songwriting and about his weight. I called him Blobby instead of Robbie one day, which I shouldn't have done. In about 20, 25 minutes we'd put to bed things that had haunted us for years."
The Song's Journey to Success
Mark Owen reveals in the documentary that he had to fight to include 'Shine' on the Beautiful World album, a decision that ultimately proved prescient as the track became a massive commercial success. The song's universal themes about personal struggles and resilience have resonated with audiences for nearly two decades, contributing to its enduring popularity.
By clarifying that the song represents the collective experience of all band members rather than focusing on one individual, Owen provides a new layer of understanding to the track that has soundtracked the lives of millions of fans worldwide.
The Take That documentary series promises to offer numerous such revelations when it becomes available for streaming, providing an intimate look at one of Britain's most successful musical exports and the personal journeys that have shaped their iconic career.
