Mark Owen

Mark Owen

Mark Anthony Patrick Owen (born January 27, 1972 in Oldham, Lancashire, England) is an English singer-songwriter and member of the boy band Take That from 1990-1996 and again since their reform in 2005. After Take That split, Owen became the third of the band's ex-members to release a solo record. He reached number three in the UK Singles Chart with his debut single, Child. His second single, Clementine, also went to number three. In 1997 his album Green Man was released, charting at a number 33. Read more on Last.fm

Appearances

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Performance Statistics

Below is a breakdown of the artist's performance types. Repeat performances are not counted, unless stated otherwise.

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Artist Appearances

Episode Performance
Christmas Day 2003 Four Minute Warning
Music Video
15/08/2003 Four Minute Warning
Mimed Performance
22/08/1997 I Am What I Am
Live Performance
14/02/1997 Clementine
Live Performance
29/11/1996 Child
Mimed Performance
15/11/1996 Child
Mimed Performance

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This content was taken from the BBC's original TOTP2 website, which was archived and discontinued in 2007. The original content is no longer available, but the TOTP Archive has preserved it. Please note that the content may not be up-to-date and may not accurately reflect today's views and opinions.

Interview date: Circa 2003

Question

What does 'Four Minute Warning' mean to you, personally?

Answer

It's about time and how it passes. So, as you're going through your life you might think, "This is four minutes of my life, what am I up to?" The idea originally came from the question "What would you do if you had four minutes left to live?".

Question

It's an interesting contrast because the song is really upbeat and that concept is quite sombre.

Answer

Yes, I suppose it is in some ways. But for me it's a happy ending because the characters in the song are doing what they want to be doing. They're all living their four minutes to the full and are quite happy.

Question

And that's obviously what you're doing at the moment...

Answer

Yes, I'm back in the music world. I've always been writing songs but have never had anyone to play them to. It's nice now to be getting some feedback. We're doing tours and showcases and it's very exciting for me at the moment.

Question

Would you say that you're a particularly good time keeper?

Answer

No, not at all.

Question

A lot of people have brought up the fact that 'Four Minute Warning' apparently lasts 3 minutes and 52 seconds but the video lasts 4 minutes and 15 seconds. Was this a deliberate thing to generate criticism or was it just sloppy editing?

Answer

When I initially wrote the song it was recorded at 120bpm, so it did last exactly four minutes. But now we've sped the track up a little bit, so maybe that's why it finishes earlier. There are so many versions of this song around at the moment that I'm not sure which one you're talking about!

Question

On the same topic, do you watch '24'?

Answer

I do.

Question

You see, 'Four Minute Warning' is almost real time, just like '24'. Was it an influence?

Answer

No. I wrote it about two years before '24' started.

Question

Would you consider doing an album in real time?

Answer

It took me about six years to get this right. That would take me about thirty! But, yeah, I would!

Question

How does it feel to be back in the public eye now?

Answer

I get up a bit earlier and go to bed a bit later. Truth be known, I don't really feel any different. I know there are a lot more people working behind us and that's a bit scary. I'd got used to working on my own. The biggest difference is having something to get up for in the morning and having itineraries telling me what I'm doing and where I'm going. I'm really fortunate because I'm in a job I love doing. The nice thing is I get back at 8 o'clock and I can say to myself, "That was a good day at work". The biggest buzz is starting to talk about touring again and performing.

Question

Are there any of today's artists that you feel an affinity with?

Answer

I've been doing roadshows where I've met Busted, Triple 8, D-Side and so on, and I can relate to what they're going through at the moment and how they're trying to get started with their own personal pop careers. I still feel I relate to Robbie Williams. What he's going through now is similar only ten times bigger. I've been at home for the last three years watching people like Craig David and Daniel Bedingfield on the TV building their careers. They remember me from my old days, especially the younger ones who say, "Wow, we loved Take That. We've modelled ourselves on your band." But, on the other hand, I'm thinking, "I saw you on the telly last week." It's very bizarre.

Question

Do you get people coming up and asking your advice?

Answer

Not really. I think you have to find your own feet.

Question

Do you think they're under more pressure than when you were in Take That?

Answer

I look back on our career and we never had a hit for the first three songs. For people now it's a lot faster. I think people should be given a bit longer and a bit more opportunity to develop and find their own feet.

Question

Do you think the pop scene can survive the way it's going?

Answer

I think the amazing thing about the pop scene is that it adapts. I don't know how things will go in the music world but there'll always be music.

Question

Given the title and nature of the song we were curious to know how long you take to prepare for things. So ...

Answer

You're going on an exotic holiday, how long would you need to pack?

Question

I've become the master of packing over the years. I can pack everything I need within twenty to thirty minutes, provided it's all clean.

Answer

Have you ever forgotten anything essential?

Question

My electric razor.

Answer

You've got to prepare for a posh showbiz event. How long would it take you?

Question

About an hour.

Answer

Do you like getting dressed up for posh events or do you just go in your normal clothes? I don't really have any posh clothes. I've got one suit that's come out for about fifteen different occasions.

Question

You're getting ready for a big, live performance. How long would it take you to get ready for that?

Answer

Probably about five or ten minutes but I like to have the hour before the show to myself.

Question

Do you have any mental processes or ceremonies that you go through beforehand?

Answer

Not ceremonies but I just like to breathe. There are often a lot of people around and I just like to be able to chill out.

Question

Are you still into meditation?

Answer

No, not really. I haven't practiced it for a long time.

Question

How long would you take to trim your nose hair?

Answer

[Incredulous] I don't have a hairy nose.

Question

You've got to go for a photo shoot and need a chest and leg wax. How long would you take to prepare for that, ie the mental process leading up to it.

Answer

I'd probably just think "Why?" I'd get a body double in. I don't think you can prepare for that. I think you just have to jump in, grit you teeth and go.

Question

How long would it take you to conceive the idea of a Take That reunion?

Answer

It would take me as long as everyone else in the band to decide they wanted to do it.

Question

How long would it take you to prepare for an alien invasion?

Answer

I'd welcome them, as long as they're like E.T. and friendly.

Question

And finally, meeting the Queen?

Answer

I've met the Queen. It was part of a whole The Royal Variety Show. If I'm going out and have to make a bit of an effort I always give myself about an hour.