The Clash: London Calling - Bankrobber

The Clash released Bankrobber as a single in August 1980. Originally only available as an import in the UK, it ended up reaching No 12 in the charts. The song was produced by Mikey Dread and recorded at Pluto Studios in Manchester during a short break in the 16 Tons tour in early February 1980.

Watch the Bankrobber video on the link below.

PAUL: We decided that we wanted to release a single a month and the first one we put forward was Bankrobber. But the head of the record company didn't like it. He said it sounded like David Bowie backwards, which I didn't understand. So the UK record company wouldn't release it. But the Dutch did and it was then imported, which made the UK company release it. But it stopped our flow of putting out a single a month.

Sleeve artwork © Sony Music