# Raised on Robbery

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1973 single by Joni Mitchell

"Raised on Robbery" German cover Single by Joni Mitchell from the album Court and Spark B-side "Court and Spark" Released December 1973 Recorded 1973 Studio A&M (Hollywood, California) Genre Soft rock Length 2:20 Label Asylum Songwriter Joni Mitchell Producer Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell singles chronology "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" (1973) "Raised on Robbery" (1973) "Help Me" (1974)

"**Raised on Robbery**" is a song written by [Joni Mitchell](/source/Joni_Mitchell). It was the lead single from her 1974 album *[Court and Spark](/source/Court_and_Spark)*.

## Lyrics and music

The lyrics are about a prostitute who tries to pick up a man sitting alone in a hotel.[1][2][3] The prostitute tells him about her life, until at the end of the song the man leaves.[2] *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* music critic [Robert Hilburn](/source/Robert_Hilburn) explains that although the lyrics are provocative, they are "camouflaged enough" for [AM radio](/source/AM_radio), for example by using a cooking [metaphor](/source/Metaphor).[3]

"Raised on Robbery" has a [strophic](/source/Strophic_form) structure with a refrain at the end of each verse and a four-line introduction section to describe the setting and characters.[4] The music is more commercial than much of the music Mitchell performed before releasing this song, and [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic) critic William Ruhlmann describes it as "an outright rock tune," although retaining the [acoustic guitar](/source/Acoustic_guitar) work that Mitchell was known for.[1][2] [Robbie Robertson](/source/Robbie_Robertson) of [the Band](/source/The_Band) plays [electric guitar](/source/Electric_guitar) on the song to enhance the rock music feel.[2] *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* described the guitar playing as "funky" and said that the guitars and [horns](/source/Horn_(instrument)) keep the music flowing.[1] According to music professor Lloyd Whitesell, Mitchell "employs vocal histrionics to portray" the prostitute and conveys her brash personalities through "a bright, forceful vocal tone and suggestive, flamboyant slides."[4]

## Reception

Music critic [Sean Nelson](/source/Sean_Nelson) regarded "Raised on Robbery" as a tribute to such 1950s rock and roll songs as "[Shake Rattle and Roll](/source/Shake_Rattle_and_Roll)" and performers such as [Chuck Berry](/source/Chuck_Berry) but did not think it was very convincing, saying that it sounded "stodgy and wrinkled."[5] On the other hand, Ruhlmann regarded the song as a perfectly realized "short story in song" with "funny and saucy" lyrics.[2] Fellow Allmusic critic Jason Ankeny stated that "Raised on Robbery" " offers an acutely funny look at the predatory environment of the singles bar scene."[6] Hilburn called it the "liveliest track" on *Court and Spark,* calling it a "surprising, but welcome exercise in humor."[3] *Tallahassee Democrat* critic Bud Newman claimed that it was the only song on *Court and Spark* that "comes right out and grabs you, holding you captive to the lyric and the musical package."[7] *[Cash Box](/source/Cash_Box)* said that "a rocking, rolling hard driving effort by Joni is a rarity...but this one was well worth waiting for."[8] *[Record World](/source/Record_World)* said that "Joni goes for a boogie-woogie beat, tight '30s harmonies and great instrumental backup on her spectacular new single entry."[9]

"Raised on Robbery" reached No. 50 on the *[Cashbox](/source/Cashbox_(magazine))* singles chart, No. 65 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100), and No. 40 on the *Billboard* [Adult Contemporary](/source/Adult_Contemporary_(chart)) chart.[10][11][12]

"Raised on Robbery" was later included on the video version of Mitchell's 1980 live album *[Shadows and Light](/source/Shadows_and_Light_(Joni_Mitchell_album))*, along with her compilation albums *[Hits](/source/Hits_(Joni_Mitchell_album))* (1996) and *[Songs of a Prairie Girl](/source/Songs_of_a_Prairie_Girl)* (2005), the latter album being dedicated to Saskatchewan's centenary celebrations.[2][13][14][15]

## Covers

- The song was covered by the Trans-Canada Highwaymen for their 2023 album, *Explosive Hits Vol. 1*.

- The song was covered by [Kate Stables](/source/This_Is_the_Kit), [Jesca Hoop](/source/Jesca_Hoop) and Lail Arad for their 2025 album, *[The Songs of Joni Mitchell Vol.1](https://katestableslailaradjescahoop.bandcamp.com/album/the-songs-of-joni-mitchell-vol-1)*.

## Charts

Chart performance for "Raised on Robbery" Chart (1973–1974) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[16] 51 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[17] 27 New Zealand (Listener) [18] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 65 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[20] 40 US Cash Box Top 100[21] 50 Quebec (ADISQ)[22] 26

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bb_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bb_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bb_1-2) ["Top Single Picks"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-12-01.pdf) (PDF). *Billboard*. December 1, 1973. p. 54. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-allmusic_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-allmusic_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-allmusic_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-allmusic_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-allmusic_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-allmusic_2-5) Ruhlmann, William. ["Raised on Robbery"](https://www.allmusic.com/song/raised-on-robbery-mt0007722003). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-lat_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-lat_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-lat_3-2) Hilburn, Robert (February 3, 1974). ["Insights from Inside Joni Mitchell"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56005955/the-los-angeles-times/). *Los Angeles Times*. p. 50. Retrieved 2020-07-24 – via newspapers.com.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-whitesell_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-whitesell_4-1) Whitesell, Lloyd (2008). *The Music of Joni Mitchell*. Oxford University Press. pp. 45, 61, 151. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780199719099](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780199719099).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nelson_5-0)** Nelson, Sean (2006). *Court and Spark*. Bloomsbury. pp. 87–88. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781441129666](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781441129666).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Ankeny, Jason. ["Court and Spark"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/court-and-spark-mw0000194904). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Newman, Bud (February 3, 1974). ["Joni's 'Court and Spark' Falls Flat"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56015715/tallahassee-democrat/). *Tallahassee Democrat*. p. 12E. Retrieved 2020-07-24 – via newspapers.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cb_8-0)** ["CashBox Record Reviews"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1973/Cash-Box-1973-12-08.pdf) (PDF). *Cash Box*. December 8, 1973. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rw_9-0)** ["Hits of the Week"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/73/RW-1973-12-08.pdf) (PDF). *Record World*. December 8, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Raised on Robbery"](https://www.ultimate70s.com/song?id=21555). Ultimate 70s. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Joni Mitchell Hot 100"](https://www.billboard.com/music/joni-mitchell/chart-history). Billboard. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Joni Mitchell Adult Contemporary"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/joni-mitchell/chart-history/asi/). Billboard. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Parisien, Roch. ["Hits"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/hits-mw0000076126). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Eder, Bruce. ["Shadows and Light \[Video/DVD\]"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/shadows-and-light-video-dvd-mw0000870432). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Deming, Mark. ["Songs of a Prairie Girl"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-of-a-prairie-girl-mw0000205427). Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-07-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Canadatopsingles_16-0)** "[Top RPM Singles: Image 4977b](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4977b&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4977b.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4977b)". *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). Retrieved November 8, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_17-0)** "[Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Image 5007](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5007&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5007.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5007)". *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). Retrieved November 8, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1452#n_view_location](https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1452#n_view_location) search Listener

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardhot100_Joni_Mitchell_19-0)** "[Joni Mitchell Chart History (Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Joni-Mitchell/chart-history/HSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved February 27, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Joni_Mitchell_20-0)** "[Joni Mitchell Chart History (Adult Contemporary)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Joni-Mitchell/chart-history/ASI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved February 27, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Cash Box Top 100"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-02-09.pdf) (PDF). *[Cash Box](/source/Cashbox_(magazine))*. February 9, 1974. p. 4. Retrieved 16 July 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151129063315/http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf) (PDF) (in French). [BAnQ](/source/Biblioth%C3%A8que_et_Archives_nationales_du_Qu%C3%A9bec). 1974-03-02. Archived from [the original](http://bibnum2.banq.qc.ca/bna/palmares/2010-Anglo-Allophone/Anglo-Compilation_succes_ordre_alpha_interpretes.pdf) (PDF) on November 29, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2025.

v t e Joni Mitchell Discography Studio albums Song to a Seagull (1968) Clouds (1969) Ladies of the Canyon (1970) Blue (1971) For the Roses (1972) Court and Spark (1974) The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975) Hejira (1976) Don Juan's Reckless Daughter (1977) Mingus (1979) Wild Things Run Fast (1982) Dog Eat Dog (1985) Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm (1988) Night Ride Home (1991) Turbulent Indigo (1994) Taming the Tiger (1998) Both Sides Now (2000) Travelogue (2002) Shine (2007) Live albums Miles of Aisles Shadows and Light Amchitka, The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace Joni Mitchell at Newport Compilation albums Hits Misses The Beginning of Survival Dreamland Songs of a Prairie Girl Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, a Ballet, Waiting to Be Danced Joni's Jazz Archives series Box sets Volume 1: The Early Years (1963–1967) The Reprise Albums (1968–1971) Volume 2: The Reprise Years (1968–1971) The Asylum Albums (1972–1975) Volume 3: The Asylum Years (1972–1975) The Asylum Albums (1976–1980) Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980) Auxiliary releases Early Joni – 1963 Blue 50 (Demos & Outtakes) Live albums Live at Canterbury House – 1967 Live at Carnegie Hall – 1969 Singles "Chelsea Morning" "Big Yellow Taxi" "Carey" "California" "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio" "Raised on Robbery" "Help Me" "Free Man in Paris" "In France They Kiss on Main Street" "Coyote" "My Secret Place" Notable songs "Both Sides, Now" "The Fiddle and the Drum" "Woodstock" "The Circle Game" "Little Green" "Blue" "This Flight Tonight" "River" "A Case of You" "The Last Time I Saw Richard" "Down to You" "Twisted" "Two Grey Rooms" Tribute albums Back to the Garden River: The Joni Letters A Tribute to Joni Mitchell Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration Related articles L.A. Express Blackface controversy Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Raised on Robbery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raised_on_Robbery) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raised_on_Robbery?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.