The song tells a story of a jewelry store robbery, the robber (Collins) moving silently but is caught by a guard (Rutherford). He shoots him and after he steals the diamonds, a alarm is set off. Police surround him and he shoots one of the officers (Banks), and says a repeating quote in the song “Yo...
[Verse 1]
The streets were deserted, though the police were alerted
They considered the phone call a hoax
Furtively glancing then jauntily prancing
The youth caught the guards unaware
[Verse 2]
Slipping between them, he ought to have seen them
The eyes and their owner so near
With torch shining bright, he strode on in the night
Till he came to the room with the safe
[Refrain]
“Hello, son, I hope you're having fun!”
“You've got it wrong, sir, I'm only the cleaner”
With that he fired, the other saying as he died
“You've done me wrong”, it's the same old song forever, forever
[Chorus]
Robbery, assault, and battery
The felon and his felony
Robbery, assault, and battery
The felon and his felony
[Verse 3]
He picked up the diamonds and bundles of fivers
He pushed them well down in his sack
But the alarm had been sounded, he was completely surrounded
But he had some more tricks up his sleeve
[Refrain]
“Come outside with your hands held high!”
“You'll not get me alive, sir, I promise you that, sir”
With that he fired, the other saying as he died
“You've done me wrong”, it's the same old song forever, forever
[Chorus]
Robbery, assault, and battery
The felon and his felony
Robbery, assault, and battery
The felon and his felony
[Instrumental Break 02:30-03:56]
[Keyboard Solo]
[Bridge]
“He's leaving via the roof, the bastard's got away!
God always fights on the side of the bad man
Bad man, bad man, bad man”
[Verse 4]
I've got clean away, but I'll be back some day
Just the combination will have changed
Some day they'll catch me, to a chain they'll attach me
Until that day, I'll ride the old crime wave
[Refrain]
If they try to hold me for trial
I'll stay out of jail by paying my bail
And after I'll go to the court of appeal saying
“You've done me wrong”, it's the same old song forever, forever
[Outro]
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Done me wrong, same old song
Robbery, Assault & Battery was written by Phil Collins & Tony Banks.
Robbery, Assault & Battery was produced by Genesis & David Hentschel.
Genesis released Robbery, Assault & Battery on Sun Feb 01 1976.