Introduction

In a shocking twist, the musical biopic "Better Man" has not only been a massive success but has also catapulted an unknown musician to fame. Adam Tucker, a gifted singer from King's Lynn, Norfolk, has become the voice of pop icon Robbie Williams in this highly-anticipated film. Describing his newfound notoriety, Tucker called it "the weirdest claim to fame."

The Journey to Fame

Having been told by friends for years that he resembled the sound of the Stoke-on-Trent superstar, Tucker took a leap of faith by sending voice recordings to the filmmakers who were in search of a soundalike. And what's more? Between January 3 and January 9, the soundtrack skyrocketed to the number one spot on the Official Album Downloads Chart—an achievement that Tucker finds "crazy."

Vocal Challenges

“It's unbelievable to think that stars like Pink, Hugh Jackman, and Zac Efron have heard my voice for two and a half hours and don’t even know it’s me,” Tucker reflected. “This means I’ve done my job right!” With over 200 hours spent re-recording Williams' hits between May 2023 and August 2024, Tucker’s vocals feature prominently throughout the film, with an estimated 90% of the music being his. The filmmakers aimed to create revamped versions of Williams' signature tracks to blend seamlessly within high-energy musical scenes. It’s worth noting that while Williams lent his voice to some songs, Tucker's singing is at the heart of the soundtrack.

Preparation and Performance

Speaking of dedication, Tucker’s recordings involved intense preparation. He had cameras focused on his mouth to help special effects artists from Wētā FX match the mouth movements of a CGI chimpanzee representing Williams on screen. Tucker noted that the vocal performance was not without its challenges, particularly in tackling Williams’s signature high notes and slipping into the Stoke accent.

Highlights from the Film

“I really had to push my voice to capture those notes,” he admitted. “Robbie was just 16 when he recorded some of these songs; it's impressive he can still perform them today without altering the key.” Tucker’s top picks from the film include “My Way” and “She’s The One,” both of which correspond to emotional turning points in the narrative. The latter features a duet with All Saints’ Nicole Appleton—the twist being that the singing voice of Appleton's character is actually provided by West End performer Kayleigh McKnight.

A Remarkable Collaboration

“I was in the cinema and felt like I was part of The Masked Singer—no one knew it was me!” McKnight exclaimed. “To think my voice is being heard all over the world is just amazing. I’ve always dreamed of a number one in the downloads chart, but I never imagined it would be in conjunction with a Robbie Williams biopic.” McKnight ended up in the studio after a friend encouraged her to audition, showcasing her talent for the song “She’s The One” from home. While Tucker's recordings were extensive, her contribution took only two days, thanks to the quick turnaround after filming wrapped.

Looking Ahead

As for future endeavors, McKnight playfully put out a call to Williams: “If you need a singer for ‘She’s The One’ on tour, I’m ready!” Tucker echoed a similar sentiment, perhaps hinting at an exciting new chapter for them both as they navigate their unexpected roles in the spotlight.

Conclusion

The journey of these hidden talents not only highlights the effort behind the scenes but shines a light on the creative process that brings biographical stories to life—fueling anticipation for "Better Man," which promises to deliver both nostalgia and musical brilliance!