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.[2]

"Robbers"
Single by The 1975
from the album The 1975
Released26 May 2014 (2014-05-26)
Recorded2012–2013
GenrePop rock[1]
Length4:14
LabelDirty Hit
Songwriter(s)Joshua Bassett ,Matthew Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald
Producer(s)Matthew Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald, Mike Crossey
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.[3]

Following its release, it debuted at number 179 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]

The song, thematically, is an ode to toxic relationships.[5] This song's lyrical content concerns two lovers who aren't good for each other. With the message that they know that their relationship will one day end, but they are still holding each other, robbing happiness from each other and pretending that they will be happy forever.

Healy has stated that the song and 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."[5]

Music video

The official music video for "Robbers" was released on 27 April 2014,[6] directed by Tim Mattia. A large portion of the video was filmed in Taft, California.[7] The video stars Healy and actress Chelsea Schuchman as a couple who rob a shop to obtain money to "fund their alcohol and drug addiction", with the other band members appearing as their friends.[6] Despite Healy sustaining a shot in the stomach, the heist ends up a success.

Personnel

Adapted from liner notes.[8]

  • Matthew Healy – vocals, guitar, songwriter, producer
  • Adam Hann – guitar, songwriter, producer
  • George Daniel – drums, songwriter, producer
  • Ross MacDonald – bass guitar, songwriter, producer

Additional personnel

  • Mike Crossey – mixing, production
  • Mike Spink – engineering
  • Jonathan Gilmore – Pro-Tools engineering, additional programming
  • Robin Schmidt – mastering

Charts
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[9] 65
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[4] 179

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[10] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[11] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom[2] 26 May 2014 Contemporary hit radio Dirty Hit

See also

References
  1. "The 1975 @ The Complex w/ I Don't Know How But They Found Me 12.02". SLUG Magazine. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. 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.
  3. Murray, Robin (28 April 2014). "The 1975 – Robbers (Explicit)". Clash. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  4. Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart: CLUK Update 24.05.2014 (wk20)". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  5. "Robbers by The 1975". Songfacts. 17 April 2020.
  6. 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.
  7. Gottlieb, Steven (28 April 2014). "The 1975 'Robbers' (Tim Mattia, dir.)". Video Static. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  8. The 1975 (Liner notes). United Kingdom: Dirty Hit. 2 September 2013.
  9. "The 1975 – Robbers" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  10. "British single certifications – 1975 – Robbers". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  11. "American single certifications – The 1975 – Robbers". Recording Industry Association of America.
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