 First released as the Stiff Records 7" single BUY 38, "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"/"There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards" was Number One in the UK Singles Chart in January 1979 and is the band's most successful single.It also was named the best single of 1979 in the Pazz & Jop poll.Its lyrics mix various locations across the world and a number of phrases in non-English languages (including French and German).