Best Clean Bandit Songs
Rather Be broke them through, Rockabye owned Christmas, Symphony showed the full reach: here's the three that matter most.
The Breakthrough
"Rather Be", featuring Jess Glynne. This 2014 track is the reason most people know Clean Bandit at all. A stomping bassline, a huge chorus, Jess Glynne delivering a vocal that sounds both soulful and singable. It became the fastest-selling January single since 1996 and finished the year as the UK's second best-selling song. Listen underneath Glynne's voice and you'll hear the strings and piano pushing underneath her, giving the whole thing a lift that most pop songs don't bother reaching for. If you only give Clean Bandit one song, make it this one.
The Chart Peak
Two years later, "Rockabye", featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie. It became the 2016 Christmas number one and held the top spot in the UK for seven consecutive weeks. That's a completely different feel from "Rather Be". Warmer, more narrative, a proper story song running through it. Sean Paul's verse gives it a dancehall lift, while Anne-Marie carries the emotional weight. It's the proof that Clean Bandit could evolve their formula rather than repeat it.
The Dramatic One
"Symphony", featuring Zara Larsson, leans hardest into the orchestral side of their sound. The arrangement genuinely leans into orchestral drama before the beat drops in. Zara Larsson has the vocal range to match the production going for it. If "Rather Be" is your introduction to the group, "Symphony" is the moment you realise how far they can push the classical idea without losing the dancefloor.
The Others Worth Knowing
"Real Love" is a second collaboration with Jess Glynne, worth hearing back to back with "Rather Be" to hear how the pairing shifted over time. "Tears", featuring Louisa Johnson, is a less obvious pick that shows a more soulful side than their biggest hits. This track doesn't get talked about as much as the number ones, but it's proof the group's sound travels further than most people realise.