In a recent appearance in the documentary Placebo: This Search For Meaning, pop icon Robbie Williams shared how Placebo’s 1997 hit “Nancy Boy” resonated with him during a pivotal time in his life. Reflecting on the song’s influence, Williams described how its provocative exploration of fluid sexuality and drug use “embraced the confusion” he was experiencing.
For Williams, Nancy Boy held a unique depth. “The melodies, the voice, the lyrics, the meaning, the depth, the import,” he explained, acknowledging how Brian Molko’s fearless authenticity became a source of inspiration. “We all need heroes to relate to and to aspire to, and for many and for me, that comes in the form of Brian.”
Placebo: This Search For Meaning, directed by BAFTA-winner Oscar Sansom, features live performances, behind-the-scenes footage, and candid interviews with band members Molko and Stefan Olsdal. Set to be screened worldwide through November, the film also captures insights from celebrity fans like Benedict Cumberbatch, Yungblud, Shirley Manson, and Joe Talbot, offering a rare, intimate look at Placebo’s legacy.
The documentary covers the band’s evolution over the last three decades, diving into themes like addiction, mental health, and gender politics. Placebo’s journey includes significant moments with legends like David Bowie, adding a poignant layer to the band’s history.
One of Molko’s favorite moments in the film recalls Bowie’s contemplation on the motivations behind a musician’s path. “David Bowie asked, ‘What is it that motivates a musician to do this extremely asocial thing?’” Molko shared, adding that it was Williams himself who responded to Bowie’s probing question. “That interplay is a good example of how we’re trying to do something that plays with the form,” Molko explained.
Reflecting on the cultural landscape of the early 2000s, Molko also spoke about the silence around mental health in the music industry. “It just wasn’t a conversation at all. It was just, ‘Get your shit together, get on stage’,” he recalled. Now, as Placebo: This Search For Meaning hits screens, audiences are invited to engage with the band’s introspective approach and ongoing influence, capturing the profound complexity that lies beneath Placebo’s music and message.