Take That: The Pioneers of British Pop

Take That is a British pop group that formed in Manchester in 1990. They became one of the most commercially successful acts in UK music history, selling over 45 million records worldwide.

Early career

Formed by manager Nigel Martin-Smith, the original lineup featured Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Robbie Williams. Their early 1990s releases, like the debut album Take That & Party in 1992, established them as a major force in the UK and European teen pop scene.

Breakthrough

The group's breakthrough into mainstream superstardom came with their second album, Everything Changes, in 1993. Led by Gary Barlow-penned hits, the album spawned four UK number-one singles and was certified quadruple platinum, defining the era's pop sound.

Key tracks

Back for Good - This 1995 ballad became their biggest international hit, topping charts across Europe and showcasing their maturing songwriting.

Pray - Their first UK number-one single in 1993, it signaled their move from teen idols to credible hitmakers.

Never Forget - A powerful anthem from their 1995 album Nobody Else, it became a signature song, especially after their initial split.

Patience - The 2006 comeback single that returned the quartet to number one in the UK, a full decade after their breakup.

The Flood - The lead single from 2010's Progress, marking the historic return of Robbie Williams and becoming another UK chart-topper.

After a hugely successful initial run, the group famously split in 1996 following Robbie Williams's departure. The remaining four members reunited as a quartet in 2005, achieving even greater success with albums like Beautiful World (2006) and The Circus (2008). The 2010 reunion for the Progress album with Williams became the fastest-selling album of the 21st century in the UK at that time. As a trio since 2014, Take That continues to release new music and sell out stadium tours, demonstrating remarkable longevity in the pop genre.

Fans of Take That's brand of anthemic pop and dynamic live shows also enjoy the music of Robbie Williams, whose solo career skyrocketed after his initial departure from the group. Westlife carried the boy band mantle in the late 1990s and 2000s with a similar focus on vocal harmonies and ballads. The earlier pop phenomenon New Kids On The Block helped pave the way for groups like Take That in the late 1980s. For a contemporary British group with sophisticated pop production, listeners often turn to Coldplay.

The music of Take That remains a staple on classic pop and contemporary hit radio stations, where their extensive catalog of hits receives regular airplay. Their journey from teen idols to respected adult pop artists ensures their songs connect with multiple generations of listeners.

Listeners can discover the enduring music of Take That through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their classic and contemporary hits are regularly broadcast.