- Bankrobber
Infobox Single
Name = Bankrobber
Artist =The Clash
from Album =Black Market Clash
B-side = "Rockers Galore "
Released = Start date|1980|8|8
Format = 7" single
Recorded = 1980
Genre =Reggae
Length = 4:33
Label = CBS 8323
Writer =Joe Strummer and Mick Jones
Producer =Mikey Dread
Certification =
Last single = "Train in Vain "
(1980)
This single = "Bankrobber "
(1980)
Next single = "The Call Up "
(1980)
Misc = "Bankrobber" is a song, and a single byThe Clash . The song was not released on any of their studio albums, instead appearing on their compilation "Black Market Clash". Upon its 1980 release as a single it peaked at #12 on theUK Singles Chart .The song haphazardly chronicles the life of the narrator's father, the bankrobber of the song's title (who "never hurt nobody"), concentrating on the theme of the drudgery of many
working class jobs.Young
Ian Brown andPete Garner - later ofThe Stone Roses - were in attendance at the studio recording session of this single. cite web |url=http://www.sonybmgstore.com/The-Singles-CD-version/A/B000HCPU0Q.htm |title=The Singles (CD version) |accessdate=2007-11-22 |publisher=SONY BMG Music Entertainment Store |quote=b) "Rockers Galore...UK Tour" is a reworking of "Bankrobber" with Mikey Dread singing new lyrics about touring with the Clash. This is not the same track as "Robber Dub" on SUPER BLACK MARKET CLASH, which lacks the Dread vocal and lyrics. ]The Clash filmed a low-budget video for the song, depicting members of the band recording the song in the studio, interspersed with Clash roadies Baker and Johnny Green wearingbandana s over their faces, performing a bank heist inLewisham . During the filming, Baker and Green were stopped and questioned by the police, who thought they were the real thing. [cite journal |date=March 16 ,1991 |title=The Uncut Crap - Over 56 Things You Never Knew About The Clash |journal=NME |volume=3 |pages= |publisher=IPC Magazines |location=London |issn=0028-6362 |oclc=4213418 |accessdate=2007-12-11 |quote=During the filming for the "Bankrobber" video, Clash roadies Baker and Johnny Green faked a bank job in South London. They were stopped and questioned by the police, who thought they were the real thing.
Related news articles:
*cite web |url=http://londonsburning.org/art_nme_03_16_91.html |title=The Uncut Crap - Over 56 Things You Never Knew About The Clash - NME March 16, 1991 |accessdate=2007-12-11 |last=Peterson |first=Tami |publisher=londonsburning.org ]Track listing
ide one
# "
Bankrobber "ide two
# "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" (
Mikey Dread )Robber Dub
"Robber Dub" is the dub version of "Bankrobber". It was to be included in the 12" single for "Bankrobber", but the label ended up refusing to release the single. [cite web |url=http://www.punknews.org/review/973 |title=The Clash - Super Black Market Clash |accessdate=2007-11-22 |publisher=Punknews.org |quote="Robber Dub" is a 'Dread at The Controls' version of The Clash's excellent reggae song "Bankrobber". It was to be included on a 12" single titled "Bankrobber", but the label ended up refusing to release the single. It is a great song, but doesn't quite match "Justice Tonight/Kick It Over". ] The song can be found on their
1980 compilation album "Black Market Clash", combined with "Bankrobber" as a 6:16 track, and on the1994 compilation album "Super Black Market Clash ", as a 4:42 stand alone track.Rockers Galore...UK Tour
"Rockers Galore...UK Tour" is a reworking of "Bankrobber" with Mikey Dread singing new lyrics about touring with the Clash. It is not "Robber Dub" which lacks the Dread vocal and lyrics. "Rockers Galore" is also featured on their
2006 compilation album "Singles Box ".Rocknrolla Bankrobber is an important track in Guy Ritchie's 2008 film, Rocknrolla, it is sung alternatively by the older 'Johnny Quid' in his dingy flat, and by the younger 'John Cole' in the company of his cruel step-father, the London mob boss Lenny Cole. The song is poignant in that it illustrates perfectly the antagonistic relationship between Quid and Cole, Quid having stolen an important item from Cole in order to have Cole violently punished in the same manner that Quid was violently punished by Cole for singing to the song on the radio, loudly.
Cover versions
The Norwegian hardcore band
So Much Hate appears with a live version of the song on the It's Your Choice live comp. 2x10".Audioweb recorded a rock/reggae cover in 1997 which reached number 19 in the UK charts.Chumbawamba recorded a folk-style cover version of the song for their2005 album,A Singsong and a Scrap .Hawksley Workman recorded a version, which was available on a free CD in the UK magazine UNCUT in 2003. The CD was entitled "White Riot Vol. 1 - A Tribute To The Clash".OPM recorded a cover for theIn The OPMDen Ep.Charts
Notes
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