The title “Robbers” refers to how the lovers are robbing each other of happiness and chances in this world apart from one another. They can’t move on and grow in love because they are so caught up in their toxic relationship.
The 1975 frontman, Matty Healy said the following about the song:
“ ‘Robbers’ was originally inspired by my love of the Quentin Tarantino film True Romance, the story of an Elvis-obsessed loner who falls in love and marries a prostitute. In the movie the couple run away to California after killing her pimp and stealing his drugs to start a new life financed by a once in a lifetime drug deal. It’s the sentiment behind the film that appeals to me, the hopelessly romantic notion that two people can meet and instantly fall in love, an escape story where love is the highest law and conquers all against the odds. Characters like Bonnie and Clyde always appealed to me as a teenager – couples so intoxicated with one another that they fear nothing in the pursuit of the realization of each other, actions fueled by blind unconditional love. ‘Robbers’ is an ode to those relationships. The type of relationship all humans long for. All or nothing. This video is about when love makes two people feel they are the centre of the universe.”
Robbers
The 1975 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
God only knows but you'll never leave her
Her balaclava is starting to chafe
And when she gets his gun he's beggin', "Babe, stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay"
I'll give you one more time
We'll give you one more fight
Will I know you?
Now if you never shoot, you'll never know
And if you never eat, you'll never grow
You got a pretty kind of dirty face
When she's leaving your home, she's begging you to stay, stay
Stay, stay, stay
I'll give you one more time
We'll give you one more fight
Said one more line
There'll be a riot, 'cause I know you
Well, now that you've got your gun
It's much harder now the police have come
And I'll shoot him if it's what you ask
But if you'd just take off your mask
You'd find out everything's gone wrong
Now everybody's dead
And they're driving past my old school
And he's got his gun, and he's got his suit on
She says, "Babe, you look so cool
You look so cool
You look so cool
You look so cool
You look so cool
You look so cool"
('Cause I know you)
The song "Robbers" by The 1975 tells the story of a couple who turn to a life of crime. The female protagonist is described as having "a face straight out of a magazine" and the male character seems to be madly in love with her. The lyrics suggest that the couple is robbing banks or committing other types of heinous acts, although the exact nature of their crimes is not provided.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'll give you one more time" as if the lyrics are meant to be a conversation between the two lovers. They're on the run but will keep going, pushing each other to the limit, fighting with each other, telling one more lie. They challenge each other's limits as if to prove their love to one another, even when they know their actions will lead to destruction. The song ends on a somber note, describing how their criminal activity eventually leads to everyone around them dying, including themselves.
Overall, the lyrics of "Robbers" explore the dark side of love and how it can push people to do things that they otherwise wouldn't. It's a tragic tale of two people who are so deeply in love that they feel they have no other choice but to turn to crime.
Line by Line Meaning
She had a face straight out a magazine
She was incredibly beautiful and looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine.
God only knows but you'll never leave her
She is so captivating and alluring that you'll never be able to walk away from her.
Her balaclava is starting to chafe
The ski mask she is wearing is starting to irritate her face.
And when she gets his gun he's beggin', "Babe, stay, stay
When she gets a hold of his gun, he pleads with her to stay with him.
Stay, stay, stay"
He repeatedly begs her to stay with him, as he's afraid of losing her.
I'll give you one more time
He's willing to give the relationship one more chance.
We'll give you one more fight
Despite their issues, they're willing to fight for their relationship.
Said one more lie
He's been lied to before and doesn't want to be deceived again.
Will I know you?
He's not sure if he really knows her and if he should trust her.
Now if you never shoot, you'll never know
If you don't take risks, you'll never know what could happen.
And if you never eat, you'll never grow
If you don't try new things, you'll never learn or grow as a person.
You got a pretty kind of dirty face
She has a unique and interesting look, despite not conforming to society's standards of beauty.
When she's leaving your home, she's begging you to stay, stay
Even when it's time for her to leave, she desperately wants to stay with him.
I'll give you one more time
He's willing to give their relationship one final chance.
We'll give you one more fight
They're willing to fight for their love, even if it's a difficult journey.
Said one more line
He wants her to be honest with him and stop playing games.
There'll be a riot, 'cause I know you
He knows that their love is intense and passionate, which could lead to trouble.
Well, now that you've got your gun
Now that she has the power in the relationship, things are more dangerous.
It's much harder now the police have come
Now that they're being investigated by the authorities, the stakes are even higher.
And I'll shoot him if it's what you ask
He's willing to protect her, even if it means taking someone's life.
But if you'd just take off your mask
If she reveals her true self and stops hiding, maybe their love can thrive.
You'd find out everything's gone wrong
He realizes that things are falling apart and their relationship is not what it seemed.
Now everybody's dead
Things have gotten out of control and people have been hurt or killed.
And they're driving past my old school
As they drive away from the chaos, he thinks of his past and how things have changed.
And he's got his gun, and he's got his suit on
He's armed and dangerous, and ready for anything in his suit.
She says, "Babe, you look so cool
Despite everything that's happened, she's still impressed by him and thinks he's cool.
You look so cool
She repeats herself, emphasizing how cool he looks to her.
('Cause I know you)
She knows who he really is, and still loves him despite everything that's happened.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Adam Hann, George Bedford Daniel, Matthew Timothy Healy, Ross Macdonald
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iceberg1810
"'Robbers' is a love song. It was originally inspired by my love of the Quentin Tarantino film 'True Romance', the story of an Elvis obsessed loner who falls in love and marries a prostitute.
In the movie, the couple run away to California after killing her pimp and stealing his drugs to start a new life financed by once in a lifetime drug deal. It's the sentiment behind the film that appeals to me, the hopelessly romantic notion that two people can meet and instantly fall in love, an escape story where love is the highest law and conquers all against the odds.
Characters like Bonnie and Clyde always appealed to me as a teenager - couples so intoxicated with one another that they fear nothing in the pursuit of the realisation of each other, actions fuelled by blind unconditional love.
'Robbers' is an ode to those relationships. The type of relationship all humans long for. All or nothing.
This video is about when love makes two people feel they are the centre of the universe."
- Matthew Healy.
@SquishSquish
This is my all time favourite music video.
@shannonwilson2099
Jess Likes Twenty One Pilots same
@michal.7272
okjess FAVORITE
@IsabelHasVibes
Tracy Lemons if ur referring to the spelling of the word favorite, just know The "ou" is a common British spelling, whereas in American English, we simply use the "o." For example: favourite vs. favorite. colour vs. color.
@OneNiceThing
Just stopping by for my daily listen
@OneNiceThing
for 2 years in a row lmao
@yungbleach7749
saaaame 😂😂 it's sad
@amandagillies9231
What's with us? lol
@djprodigee2877
SAME.
@gabrielesouza6830
SAME