Robbers (The 1975 song)

"Robbers" is a song by English rock band The 1975, released as the sixth single from their self-titled debut on 26 May 2014[1]

"Robbers"
Single by The 1975
from the album The 1975
Released26 May 2014 (2014-05-26)
Recorded2012–13
Genre
Length4:14
LabelDirty Hit
Songwriter(s)The 1975
Producer(s)
The 1975 singles chronology
"Settle Down"
(2014)		 "Robbers"
(2014)		 "Heart Out"
(2014)
Music video
"Robbers" on YouTube

Background

The concept of the song, about an ill-fated robbery heist, was inspired by the 1993 film True Romance, particularly Patricia Arquette's character Alabama Worley.[2]

Following its release, it debuted at number 179 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]

Music video

The official music video for "Robbers" was released on 27 April 2014,[4] directed by Tim Mattia. A large portion of the video was filmed in Taft California [5] The video depicts a couple who rob a shop to obtain money to "fund their alcohol and drug addiction."[4]

The Story

Robbers is an ode to those toxic relationships. The type of relationship all humans long for. All for nothing.[6] This song is about two lovers who aren't good for each other. They know that their relationship is going to be ended someday but they are still holding each other, robbing happiness from each other and pretending that they will be happy forever.

Matty Healy used to say about this song that the music video was inspired by one of the singer’s favorite movie characters. "I got really obsessed with the idea behind Patricia Arquette's character in True Romance when I was about 18," he said. "That craving for the bad boy in that film, it's so sexualized," he added. "It was something I was obsessed with."

"'Robbers' is about a heist that goes wrong," Healy added. "I suppose you can read it as a metaphor, and a girl who's obsessed with her professional killer boyfriend. It's a romantic ideal."[6]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[7] 65
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[3] 179

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[8] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

Adapted from liner notes.[10]

The 1975
  • Matthew Healy – vocals, guitar
  • Adam Hann – guitar
  • George Daniel – drums
  • Ross MacDonald – bass guitar
Additional personnel
  • Mike Crossey – mixing, production
  • Mike Spink – engineering
  • Jonathan Gilmore – Pro-Tools engineering, additional programming
  • Robin Schmidt – mastering

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom[1] 26 May 2014 Contemporary hit radio Dirty Hit

References
  1. Corner, Lewis (28 April 2014). "The 1975's new 'Robbers' music video: Sex, drugs and guns". Digital Spy. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  2. Murray, Robin (28 April 2014). "The 1975 – Robbers (Explicit)". Clash. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  3. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart: CLUK Update 24.05.2014 (wk20)". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  4. Corner, Lewis (28 April 2014). "The 1975's new 'Robbers' music video: Sex, drugs and guns". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  5. Gottlieb, Steven (28 April 2014). "The 1975 'Robbers' (Tim Mattia, dir.)". Video Static. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  6. "Robbers by The 1975". Songfacts. 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
  7. "Ultratop.be – The 1975 – Robbers" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  8. "British single certifications – The 1975 – Robbers". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Robbers in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  9. "American single certifications – The 1975 – Robbers". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  10. The 1975 (Liner notes). United Kingdom: Dirty Hit. 2 September 2013.
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