They were down to three. After Jason Orange walked away in 2014, saying he didn't want to do it anymore, the remaining members of Take That—Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald—faced a weirdly existential crisis. Could they still be "Take That" as a trio? It turns out, they could. And honestly, they did it with a massive, synth-heavy bang. Take That Get Ready For It wasn't just another pop song; it was the lead single for the Kingsman: The Secret Service soundtrack, and it basically redefined their sound for a new era of British cinema.
Most people forget how high the stakes were back then. The band was transitioning from the massive, stadium-filling energy of the Progress era (where Robbie Williams had briefly returned) to a more streamlined, electronic-focused vibe. Working with director Matthew Vaughn, the guys had to create something that matched the slick, violent, and sharply tailored aesthetic of a spy flick. It worked.
Why Take That Get Ready For It Still Slaps
The song is huge. I mean, it’s really loud. Produced by Greg Kurstin—the guy who worked with everyone from Adele to Sia—it ditched the soft-rock piano ballads Gary Barlow is famous for and traded them in for soaring synthesizers and a driving beat. It feels expensive. It feels like a 007 theme if 007 drank more Guinness and grew up in Manchester.
When you listen to the track today, the production still holds up remarkably well. It doesn't sound like a "boy band" song. It sounds like a sophisticated piece of pop-rock. The lyrics talk about anticipation and movement, which perfectly mirrored the band's own situation at the time. They were getting ready for a new chapter without two of their original members.
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- The music video was shot at the actual Kingsman tailor shop on Savile Row.
- The fashion was impeccable—lots of double-breasted suits and sharp lines.
- It reached the Top 30 in the UK, but its cultural impact was much larger because of the film tie-in.
Gary Barlow has mentioned in several interviews that writing for film is different. You aren't just writing about your own feelings; you’re writing for a character. In this case, that character was Harry Hart, played by Colin Firth. The song needed that "gentleman spy" energy, but with a modern kick.
The Kingsman Connection and Savile Row Style
If you've seen the movie, you know the vibe. It’s ultra-violent but incredibly polite. Matthew Vaughn has a history of picking great music—think back to Kick-Ass or Layer Cake. He specifically wanted Take That because they represent a certain type of Britishness. They are an institution.
The filming of the music video was a bit of a moment for the fans. Seeing Mark, Howard, and Gary walking down Savile Row looking like they belonged in the Secret Service was a pivot. Gone were the baggy clothes of the 90s or the colorful costumes of the Circus tour. This was "Grown Up Take That." They looked sharp. They looked like they meant business.
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But it wasn't just about the suits. The song itself has this relentless forward motion. It’s built on a 4/4 beat that just doesn't quit. While Howard and Mark provide the texture, Gary's lead vocal is surprisingly gritty. He’s pushing his range here, hitting those high notes in the chorus that make it such a great anthem for live shows. Speaking of live shows, the performance of this song during their 2015 tour featured some of the most complex lighting rigs the band had ever used. It was a spectacle.
The Trio Era: Proving the Doubters Wrong
A lot of people thought Take That would fold after Jason left. He was the glue, the dancer, the one who didn't want the spotlight but kept everyone grounded. Losing him was a blow. However, Get Ready For It proved that the "three-piece" version of the band was arguably their most experimental.
They weren't trying to recreate the past. They were looking at the charts—which were being dominated by EDM and synth-pop—and saying, "Yeah, we can do that too."
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It’s interesting to note that the song was actually recorded at Abbey Road Studios. You’d think an electronic track would be made entirely in a laptop in a basement, but they wanted that "big room" sound. You can hear the depth in the drums. It’s not just a programmed loop; it feels like it has air around it. This is a nuance often lost in modern pop, but the Kurstin/Barlow collaboration ensured the track felt organic even with all those synths.
Looking Back: Was it Their Best Movie Song?
Take That has a weirdly good track record with movies. You’ve got Rule the World from Stardust, which is arguably one of the best pop songs of the 2000s. Then you have Love Love from X-Men: First Class. Get Ready For It sits right in the middle of that trilogy of film hits.
While Rule the World is the wedding favorite, Get Ready For It is the one you put on at the gym. It’s the "let’s go" song. It has a different utility. It’s also one of the few songs from that era that Mark and Howard seem to really enjoy performing. You can see it in the live footage; Howard gets to lean into his club-culture roots with the electronic production, and Mark gets to be the rockstar.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Listeners
If you’re revisiting this track or discovering it for the first time, there are a few things you should do to really appreciate the craft:
- Watch the Savile Row Video: Pay attention to the cinematography. It’s shot by the same team that handled parts of the film, and the color grading is gorgeous.
- Listen to the Instrumental: If you can find the backing track, listen to the layering of the synths. There are about six different melody lines weaving together in the final chorus.
- Check out the III Album: Get Ready For It is the centerpiece of the album III. If you like the vibe of this song, the rest of the album follows that same "electro-pop" trajectory.
- Compare it to Rule the World: Notice the difference in Gary’s songwriting. It shows his evolution from a ballad-smith to a versatile pop composer who can adapt to any genre.
The song serves as a reminder that longevity in the music industry isn't about staying the same. It's about being brave enough to change your clothes, change your sound, and get ready for whatever comes next. Whether it's a spy thriller or a stadium tour, Take That showed they could handle the pressure. They are still here, and they are still loud.