Robbie Williams Pays Tribute to Hibs Anthem and Questions Hearts Reaction
Robbie Williams gave a nod to one of Hibernian’s most cherished anthems during his performance at Murrayfield Stadium — and couldn’t resist throwing in a cheeky question about city rivals Hearts.
As part of his energetic Britpop tour, the 51-year-old pop icon delivered a set packed with fan-favourite hits, including a special duet of Relight My Fire with Scottish singer and Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus. But it was during a more intimate moment with fans at the front barrier that Williams made headlines, shifting into an emotional rendition of Sunshine on Leith, the beloved Proclaimers anthem strongly associated with Hibs.
With Tynecastle, Hearts’ home ground, just a stone’s throw from the national rugby stadium, the surprise cover drew mixed reactions from the crowd.
“Now there’s two things here,” Williams said after singing the tune. “One — I think that’s a better song than You’ll Never Walk Alone. And two — why don’t Heart of Midlothian boo that song? I don’t get it.”
He then turned to the crowd again, asking, “Are you here, Hearts?” before cutting short the football banter with a laugh: “OK, that’s enough of that s**t.”
Sunshine on Leith is a fixture at Easter Road, often belted out in moments of celebration. Hibs fans had the chance to sing it twice in one week last season, following memorable wins over Celtic and Hearts.
Williams joins a growing list of major artists who have paid homage to the emotional anthem, with Coldplay previously performing it during their own Scottish gig earlier this year.
Coldplay Share Emotional Connection to the Hibs Classic
Frontman Chris Martin spoke of his deep admiration for the song, saying: “Guy sent me a version three days ago and told me to listen to Sunshine on Leith by The Proclaimers. I’d never heard it before. It blew me away. Then I watched the Hibernian fans sing it in the stands — it just moved me. That song has so much soul and heart.”
Martin added, “Coolness doesn’t matter anymore — only quality and soul. The Proclaimers make more sense than ever. This song is so astonishingly good… and now we’re going to completely butcher it!”
Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman, who hails from Kirkcaldy, admitted he was also new to the track. “I was listening to it in the bath three days ago,” he recalled. “By the second verse I thought, ‘this is serious.’ By the chorus, I was crying. Then I listened again, and again — same result. It’s one of those perfectly simple, emotional songs. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard it before.”
With both Coldplay and Robbie Williams embracing Sunshine on Leith, the Hibs anthem continues to resonate well beyond the terraces of Easter Road — even drawing attention (and a few questions) from the unlikeliest of places.
