From minor hits to the second fastest selling album in history

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Take That did not achieve instant global fame. Their path from 1991 obscurity to record-breaking commercial success shows a unique pop evolution. By navigating internal fractures and major lineup changes, the British group managed to redefine music history while securing some of the fastest-selling albums ever released in the UK.

Launching in Britain during 1991, they first released 'Do What U Like', though subsequent tracks such as 'Promises' and 'Once You've Tasted Love' achieved only limited success. Their commercial breakthrough arrived via a cover of Tavares' 'It Only Takes a Minute,' which reached number seven. This momentum built into a string of top 10 and top 15 successes, eventually leading to their biggest hit at the time: a cover of Barry Manilow's 'Could It Be Magic,' which peaked at number three.

The mid-1990s marked a period of intense growth and instability. The album Everything Changes (1993) yielded four UK number one singles, including 'Pray' and 'Relight My Fire.' However, the band faced internal shifts when Robbie Williams departed in 1995 during the promotion of Nobody Else. Despite this loss, they secured another number one with 'Never Forget' before formally disbanding in February 1996. The Bee Gees' song 'How Deep Is Your Love' served as their final recording before pausing, reaching the top spot for an eighth time.

After a decade-long hiatus, the group returned in 2006 with Beautiful World, which became the 35th best-selling album in UK music history. This era solidified their status as a dominant force, producing hits like 'Patience' and 'Rule the World.' The following year, they announced a return to a five-piece lineup for the album Progress (2010). Selling 520,000 units within a week and 235,000 on day one of its November 15 launch, it became history's second quickest-selling album.

The group's modern era has been defined by structural changes. After Robbie Williams and Jason Orange left, the group put out III as a three-person act in 2014. This period continued with Wonderland in 2017 and their most recent studio effort, This Life, released on November 24, 2023. Throughout these shifts, the band has maintained a consistent presence on the UK charts, balancing new studio work with live albums like The Greatest Day – Take That Present: The Circus Live.

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