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Billy Idol — Rebel Yell
Album: Rebel Yell
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2689









Released: 1983
Length: 4:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door
Last night a little angel came pumping on my floor
She said come on baby, you got a license for love
And if it expires, pray help from above, because

In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more
With a rebel yell she cried more, more, more
In the midnight hour babe more, more, more
With a rebel yell more, more, more
More, more, more!

She don't like slavery, she won't sit and beg
But when I'm tired and lonely she sees me to bed
What sets you free and brought you to me, babe
What sets you free, I need you here by me, because

In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more
With a rebel yell she cried more, more, more
In the midnight hour babe more, more, more
With a rebel yell more, more, more

He lives in his own heaven
Collects it to go from the seven eleven
Well, he's out all night to collect a fare
Just as long, just as long it don't mess up his hair

I walked the ward, for you, babe
A thousand miles, for you
I dried your tears, of pain, babe
A million times, for you

I'd sell my soul, for you, babe
For money to burn, for you
I'd give you all, and have none, babe
Just to, just to, just to, just to, to have you here by me, because

In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more
With a rebel yell she cried more, more, more
In the midnight hour babe more, more, more
With a rebel yell she cried more, more, more
More, more, more!

Ooh yeah, little baby
She want more
More, more, more, more, more!
Ooh yeah, little angel
She want more
More, more, more, more, more!
Comments (137)add comment
GREAT TUNE!   Back in '83, I had  a friend that used to sing an "Elmer Fudd" version of this. ...Widda webbel yell.....   I still can't get it out of my mind, LOL!  
 mcullers wrote:

I like this song. Gotta problem with that?



NOPE. Can I join you?
I like this song. Gotta problem with that?
 memoryboxer wrote:

There's always folk who will have something disdainful to say but I remember when this first started blasting the dancefloors and it really was like nothing else going at the time. The guitar work alone just blew us across the rooms. Still good fun all these years later.



Best song for high impact aerobics!

 GHoffmeyer wrote:

Billy and his band don’t get the credit, they were REALLY good and put out some tight stuff that has stood the test of time.


i never could get enough of billy's voice. some kinda elvis thing that just gets me.

steve stevens was great, right?   
After the nth listen...I've decided this is ultimate love song lyrics, delivered...rebel style. 
 salice wrote:

snogging at the school disco in the late '80s



I was an incredible music snob when Billy Idol became popular. I didn't care for the posing or the songs. The latest Billy Idol release is terrific. Billy matured. What an artist.
 dwhayslett wrote:

Gee, he never said anything bad about you.



Hahahahaha
snogging at the school disco in the late '80s
 mgkiwi wrote:
One song guaranteed to get your pissed aunty up on the dance floor 


This Aunty will happily embarrass the heck out of you to Billy Idol on the dance floor - stone cold sober 
Had to stop work and just comment on this. Billy Idol was a huge part of my teenagers years and it all started with this song. Thanks so much for playing this!
Billy and his band don’t get the credit, they were REALLY good and put out some tight stuff that has stood the test of time.
1983! The year I got sober! They would have sober dances where people who weren’t chemically affected and drinking could go and let it out. When this song came on the entire place would explode!!!!!
This is so overplayed on the FM rock radio, but it's not a bad song.
One song guaranteed to get your pissed aunty up on the dance floor 
 omerozer2001 wrote:


TOO FUNNY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out the YouTube with Miley Cyrus. It is very good! She knows good music!
 poetdancer wrote:


Billy Idol is still great live. I just saw him last month in San Francisco  with Steve Stevens, and he told stories and played a good selection of songs, both by him and by others. 


He rocked the Rhine here in Basel a couple of years ago. They were great and Stevie did some great solos which are not on the records. 
#rock is broadcasting live on meeting.teams.rock.rp.development.exchange (url) please join this thread and have a lively discussion about the music and further engage the community to promote Radio Paradise.

Rebecca: I don't like reggae no no I really really dislike it, but thanks to you I understand it. You and Bill could have easily accepted my offer, I know $500 I sent in 2002, let alone the $5k I would have if you stopped playing reggae right then and there would have been beyond helpful - but you of course made the right call. Thank you for teaching me a lesson I never forgot hopefully now I can teach you one.

Thanks,

Jason L. Lind, USAF (Sep.)
+1 414.788.2820
lind@multiplex.studio / lind@yahoo.com
in/odyss3us in/wescrusher
Nothing wrong with this being on the RP playlist. I'm not a rocker but a great song is a great song and this is a great song. 
It really is close to the perfect song. A driving beat and a take-no-prisoners melody that is incredibly vital. The guitar licks are transcendent and the breaks create an even higher level of anticipation for the next verse and chorus. It's just exceptional rock and roll. 
There was a little, er, vignette on TMZ or ET the other night (pre-pandemic) of Billy Idol in LA at a restaurant with a gal-pal. Gal-pal was drunk AF, so naturally performed an impromptu rendition of this for the paparazzi's cameras. Mr. Idol looked kinda embarrassed (and sober). I thought it was kinda awesome.

 
This song brings 2 great memories separated by 25 years - the best parts of high school and then playing guitar hero with my kids when they were young. I was the drummer  BTW.
 poetdancer wrote:


Billy Idol is still great live. I just saw him last month in San Francisco  with Steve Stevens, and he told stories and played a good selection of songs, both by him and by others. 
 

I was there too, right near the front. Fantastic stuff. Last time I'd seen him was in the 80s with Dez Dickerson opening. Idol seemed a bit...chemically enhanced...at that time.
Ahh...My. 80s California days! 24 yrs. When it came out..rock to it then and still rocking to it now at a fit 62 year old...Living Florida beach life now...while it's still here in some fashion.
I have a friend that used to do the Elmer Fudd version of this song!   ...widd da webel yell........
I could never figure out the words to this song. ...THX for the lyrics!
Check out Sesame Street version....Rebel L


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjbpuK_H2VY
One of the top 10 tunes of the 80s
 dwhayslett wrote:

Gee, he never said anything bad about you.
 

We could, but we won't! We aren't as narrow-minded ...
 Grayson wrote:
This is a great song. For the children. 
 
Somewhere there's a party that's missing its pooper.
I used to share a house with Keith Miller, who devised and played the synthesizer on this track: a lovely talented guy who died several years back. Shinfield Street memories..
Almost as good as the live version. Billy Idol rocks!
This is a great song. For the children. 
The album changed my life.  Just what I needed...
Zseniális :D 


 Alexandra wrote:

 

was never a big fan until I saw him in...   The Wedding Singer!  Now I think he's effing brilliant!  
There's always folk who will have something disdainful to say but I remember when this first started blasting the dancefloors and it really was like nothing else going at the time. The guitar work alone just blew us across the rooms. Still good fun all these years later.
 chitnik wrote:
I saw Billy Idol a few years ago at ACL Fest. I was expecting the show to be kinda sad and pathetic as I assumed Billy is a bit past his prime. I could not have been more wrong. He is a very energetic, engaging, and generous performer.  It became one of my favorite concert memories.
 

Billy Idol is still great live. I just saw him last month in San Francisco  with Steve Stevens, and he told stories and played a good selection of songs, both by him and by others. 
 chitnik wrote:
I saw Billy Idol a few years ago at ACL Fest. I was expecting the show to be kinda sad and pathetic as I assumed Billy is a bit past his prime. I could not have been more wrong. He is a very energetic, engaging, and generous performer.  It became one of my favorite concert memories.
 
Exactly!  In fact, I'm going 8 to 9 on this one, partly based on the strong concert performance when I saw him (with Slash as guest guitarist!) and LONG LIVE RP!!
I saw Billy Idol a few years ago at ACL Fest. I was expecting the show to be kinda sad and pathetic as I assumed Billy is a bit past his prime. I could not have been more wrong. He is a very energetic, engaging, and generous performer.  It became one of my favorite concert memories.
 dtown40 wrote:
Great tune. If you have never heard his version of L A Woman, you just haven't lived.   Better then The Doors IMHO.
 
Props to sharing your thoughts...and I thumbs up your comment even though I think LA Woman by the Doors is WAY better.  Although I saw Billy "Fucking" Idol perform it once and the Doors zero times.....Long Live RP!!
Ahah great pic ^^
A real Rock and Roller!
Great tune. If you have never heard his version of L A Woman, you just haven't lived.   Better then The Doors IMHO.
 rpdevotee wrote:
Never liked this guy or any of his music...Not in the 80's and not now.
 
Gee, he never said anything bad about you.
Never liked this guy or any of his music...Not in the 80's and not now.
Still outstanding .. This song never gets boring {#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Billy Idol is my Idol...
Never mind the singer - listen to the guitar playing and backing musicians on this track. This would have been a great song with any one of a hundred different people fronting it.

I could even imagine Bruce Springsteen singing it - maybe with less rockabilly style but still... a great song of its genre.

 
Thanks for the memories !
 Alexandra wrote:


  This is a great pic!  And I'm sure Billy "Fucking" Idol would agree too!


 chasech5 wrote:
You've GOT to be fucking kidding me. Are we suddenly a Clear Channel station?
 
Plenty of your highest-rated songs and artists are played incessantly on Clear Channel stations.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh {#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}v{#Music}
 Cynaera wrote:
He had some great rockabilly vibes - I love "To Be A Lover" and "Hot In The City."  This one isn't one of my favorites, although the absolute passion still can get me on my feet, pumping my fist in the air. {#Dancingbanana_2}

  
Rebel Spirit

When this music first came out, I found Billy a bit of a clown.  And it was wasn't targeting my age group as well, so I just wouldn't have any part of it. But as the years past I found myself actually, well, enjoying it.

Funny how perceptions change.


Back in the 80s or so it wasnt my favourite musician, but a few of his songs like this I really like now.
Perfect rock & roll.  And the album is amazing.
Billy Idol is the cherry on top of the Steve Stevens sundae.
moo!
Don't heed the haters Bill - keep on doin' what you're doin' and give us more, more, more... variety. 
 bstevens1951 wrote:
Simply speechless Bill.{#No}

 
I agree.  What in the world?  But there's a silent majority that has given this a high rating.
Sorry this was trash pop music back in the 80's before it was played to death...now it's worse.  Rated: 1
I expect more from RP
My sons were young (4 or 5 years old) when this saturated MTV.  They both adopted the scowl and drop-elbow-with-tight-fist move he does two dozen times in the video...... and then they'd do it randomly throughout the day.

Guess you had to be there.
 planet_lizard wrote:
Nice bit of quality cheese.

 
Quality? Hrm... This is clearly a block of Velveeta, which (don't get me wrong) has a place in my kitchen, but quality{#Hungry}
 On_The_Beach wrote:

I thought it had to be a joke (well, strictly speaking it is a joke), but no:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnTOJPfCjJE

 
It's sad when an artist becomes a parody of themselves.  He was always a bit odd, but this is ridiculous.
It is NOT the midnight hour, so I respectfully ask for less, less, less.
My Idol !!!! {#Bananajam}{#Confused}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}
40 years ago—Young, Loud & Snotty.  Please play Generation X's cover of J. Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth" instead of this next time out.  It's actually pretty good!

Image result for generation x band
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}
 Steely_D wrote:

Sheesh.
"What do you mean I spent all the money? Can I just release something and make a quick buck?"
 
I thought it had to be a joke (well, strictly speaking it is a joke), but no:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnTOJPfCjJE

Sheesh.

"What do you mean I spent all the money? Can I just release something and make a quick buck?"
 chasech5 wrote:
You've GOT to be fucking kidding me. Are we suddenly a Clear Channel station?

 
Art is where you find it.


I was at a local band concert a few months ago where they performed this song as a slow ballad—and it worked!  Better than the original.
Simply speechless Bill.{#No}
 Cynaera wrote:
He had some great rockabilly vibes - I love "To Be A Lover" and "Hot In The City."  This one isn't one of my favorites, although the absolute passion still can get me on my feet, pumping my fist in the air. {#Dancingbanana_2}

 
WOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Steve Stevens. That solo in the bridge is just outstanding.
 k-man wrote:
This entire album is a tour-de-force from Steve Stevens. Gotta LOVE that rockin' band!!!

 
Agreed!
Superb song from an underrated guy
Bill wow I love your ability to remain diverse always impressed here at RP! 
Nice bit of quality cheese.
It's a great aerobics tune. 
 k-man wrote:
This entire album is a tour-de-force from Steve Stevens. Gotta LOVE that rockin' band!!!

 
Eddie van Halen minus the ego.
Reminds me of my honeymoon night {#Hug}
 Danimal174 wrote:
1:33 pm - Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
1:27 pm - Pearl Jam - Alive
1:21 pm - Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb


Covering almost 15 years of some great rock!

 
I agree! Great set!
1:33 pm - Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
1:27 pm - Pearl Jam - Alive
1:21 pm - Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb


Covering almost 15 years of some great rock!
{#Dancingbanana}
Stephen Colbert, when still a reporter on the Daily Show, quotes this song to a fat, white, southern bigot on a piece about the confederate flag.  He says something like, in the words of the great poet, William Idol (with whom the interviewee admits he is not familiar) ... and then he quotes from Rebel Yell.  Its hysterical.  Did it up if you can.
Cool!

{#Music}
Takes me back to the days of AM radio and cassette tapes. It still has a certain something.
 chasech5 wrote:
You've GOT to be fucking kidding me. Are we suddenly a Clear Channel station?

 
Totally unexpected.  Another reason I love RP. 
How can Billy Idol be a rebel with a yell/music so sanitized that it appeals to conventionalists? Mummery.
You've GOT to be fucking kidding me. Are we suddenly a Clear Channel station?
Had this on cassette tape as a teen in the 80's.  Thanks for the memories!!
this song will follow you the rest of your life.. {#Lol}

In the words of Kathleen Edwards, "You gotta be fucking kidding me".
 daveesh wrote:
there was a time when billy idol was everywhere.

 

I'm sure he's somewhere today....
there was a time when billy idol was everywhere.
you realize it is supper time here right now and this is quite distracting
Hell yeah!
This is truly awesome.   
 WereTrout wrote:
This song and White Wedding define the art of rhythm guitar.  Oh, and the solos aren't bad either.

 
PSD score!!  btw, Keith Richards did that decades ago...just sayin'
This song and White Wedding define the art of rhythm guitar.  Oh, and the solos aren't bad either.
reason #123234 I love RP.. Karma Police followed by Rebel Yell. Keep it rockin'!
I just hope the guy wan't serious when he wrote this :)
Sing it Billy!!!!
Everyone in the Spin Class loves this song.
Stand and sprint during the Chorus 
Used to have a good friend named Moe.  He loved this song.
 k-man wrote:
This entire album is a tour-de-force from Steve Stevens. Gotta LOVE that rockin' band!!!
 
Idol may have been the attraction, but his band was incredible—sorta like Mellencamp, good singer and songwriter who assembles a killer band.
Almost 30 YEARS ago?! Serious? Billy's sneering. 
Great rockin'.
 
This entire album is a tour-de-force from Steve Stevens. Gotta LOVE that rockin' band!!!
Love Billy!!!{#Bananajam}
ok that's a flashback to junior high