Cecil is one of the founding members of Doomtree. As an emcee he’s admired for his lyric, cinematic style. He writes about love, vengeance, and redemption—and the spaces where the three convene. His narratives ride on his imagery: sepia flickers of loners, beauties, ghosts, and vagabonds.
As a producer, his sound is nostalgic. He features swooning guitar lines, masterful drums, vinyl crackle, and distant voices. The effect is melodic, often melancholic, and seems to draw on the sentiment of another, more romantic era.
Cecil’s fascination with rap music started when his big sister ran away from home. She left a box of rap cassettes beneath her bed, all intentionally mislabeled to prevent confiscation by her parents. Easy E with a Jon Bon Jovi sticker. N.W.A as Michael Bolton. At eight, Cecil memorized every word, intent on impressing her when she returned.
A few years later, Cecil learned to skate, went semi-pro and spent hours practicing with high school friends Stef (P.O.S.) and Johnny (Paper Tiger). Kai (MK Larada) made the occasional visit, often with a camera in hand. The same varied cast of characters began making music together—some rap, some punk, some rock—and by 2000 the name Doomtree surfaced.
Now, almost a decade later, Cecil has contributed to nearly a dozen releases in the Doomtree Records catalog. His most recent full-length, Rebel Yellow, was re-released by Sage Francis for Strange Famous Records. He's now recording his solo project, Porcelain Revolver.
Solo Projects
False Hopes 7
Rebel Yellow
http://www.doomtree.net/cecilotter/
Rebel Yellow
Cecil Otter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But they don't know me dotty.
Hello dotty, you can call me Mellow Yellow.
You know I love you dotty, I'm waking up with you,
But you don't know me dotty, I'm tangled up in blue,
And there aint nothin new
I just want to come get my fangs stuck in you
Now I'm a lone wolf unchained with crooked fangs (here I come, here I come)
And I didn't come to put your fire out I don't fear your flames (here I come)
I hear 'em callin your name (for cryin out loud)
I hear 'em callin your name (for cryin out wolf)
I hear 'em callin you out (I hear 'em callin you out)
I'm here I'm callin you out. (I'm hear I'm callin you out)
I raised awareness, so you can call me daddy
I took care of your sheriff, man I'll shoot 'em all gladly
Mr. happy go hungry, on the search for where my badge and gun are buried
Now your just mad or scared
Because you got no more little toys to look after
They said you poisoned a perfectly good pasture
We asked your whereabouts they only had one good answer
And they said there was no choice in the matter
And that their voice didn't matter
And the white noise in your laughter
Was just a void that couldn't capture a filler in time
While you tried to put those pillars in line
I was watchin horror films hoping the killer was fine
Figured it was prime to tinker with your spine
While you played the role of Jesus I was spilling your wine
Just to kill some time, they thought it was for justice
So now it sucks less for me because I crushed your destiny
And ducked the lust for a mess to clean up, you love less of me now
Never trust a breath I breathe out, I'm sufficiently breathless
Just blood and flesh, yes, you see now?
Weed out your garden let me come and find the flowers
Before you summon the final hours for someone thats blind to cowards
I devour jealousy, complaints, and poor sportsmanship
Now you're over-apologetic, wet with a thousand types of tears
And I don't get it, you kept them right behind your ears
Tried to steer me near your beaten path of bad company
I said I keep my feet in glass and thats comforting
Thats coming from the king of the road to recovery
Who's got a soul thats old and I'm singin odes about cold to cut it free
It's just like me, nothings changed
I'm just a lone wolf unchained with crooked fangs (here I come, here I come)
And I didn't come to put your fire out I don't fear your flames (here I come)
I hear 'em callin your name (for cryin out loud)
I hear 'em callin your name (for cryin out wolf)
I hear 'em callin you out (I hear 'em callin you out)
I'm here I'm callin you out. (I'm hear I'm callin you out)
And they said, they just wanted to have a kiss
And you were all like, do you wanna battle bitch?
And then you said, our history is too fragile to juggle with
But now misery's the only man you'll cuddle with
And its so clear, you drew weapons on those you hold dear
Said you were dancin in private, but you're two steppin on toes here, dear dotty.
The lyrics of Rebel Yellow by Cecil Otter explore themes of identity, isolation, and love. The singer of the song, who claims to be a loner called Rebel Yellow, expresses his frustration with being misunderstood by others. He reaches out to someone named Dotty, who he loves and wakes up next to, but who he feels doesn't truly know him. Despite this, he wants to sink his fangs into her. The song takes a darker turn in the second verse as the singer turns into a lone wolf with crooked fangs. He calls out to someone, possibly Dotty, and claims he didn't come to put out their fire or fear their flames. He seems to be challenging them to a battle of sorts.
The lyrics become more cryptic in the last verse as the singer talks about drawing weapons on those he holds dear and dancing in private but two-stepping on toes. It's possible that the song is about feeling like an outsider and struggling to connect with the people closest to you. The person named Dotty could represent a specific individual or stand in for a larger group of people that the singer feels disconnected from. Overall, the lyrics of Rebel Yellow are open to interpretation but provide a powerful and evocative portrayal of loneliness and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a loner dotty, they call me Rebel Yellow
I am a social outcast, who is known by the name of Rebel Yellow.
But they don't know me dotty.
But people do not know the real me.
Hello dotty, you can call me Mellow Yellow.
Hello, you can call me Mellow Yellow.
You know I love you dotty, I'm waking up with you,
I love you and wake up with you.
But you don't know me dotty, I'm tangled up in blue,
But you do not truly know me, as I am conflicted and confused.
And there aint nothin new
And there is no new information.
I just want to come get my fangs stuck in you
I simply desire to possess you, like a wolf with fangs.
Now I'm a lone wolf unchained with crooked fangs (here I come, here I come)
Now I am a wolf without restraint or limitations, ready to take action.
And I didn't come to put your fire out I don't fear your flames (here I come)
I did not come to extinguish your passion or goals, I am unafraid of what you bring.
I hear 'em callin your name (for cryin out loud)
I hear them calling your name in desperation.
I hear 'em callin your name (for cryin out wolf)
I hear them crying out for help, but they are not sincere.
I hear 'em callin you out (I hear 'em callin you out)
I can hear them challenging you.
I'm here I'm callin you out. (I'm hear I'm callin you out)
I am also here, coming to challenge you alongside them.
I raised awareness, so you can call me daddy
I have created a consciousness about something, you can say I was a catalyst.
I took care of your sheriff, man I'll shoot 'em all gladly
I have handled any authority figures who opposed me and I was happy to do so.
Mr. happy go hungry, on the search for where my badge and gun are buried
I am restless and anxious, eagerly looking for the location of my weapon and badge.
Now your just mad or scared
Now you are simply angry or afraid.
Because you got no more little toys to look after
As you have nothing to take care of or look after anymore.
They said you poisoned a perfectly good pasture
They accuse you of ruining a place of prosperity and positivity.
We asked your whereabouts they only had one good answer
When we inquired about your location, we were only given a vague response.
And they said there was no choice in the matter
They claimed there was no way around a particular issue.
And that their voice didn't matter
They felt their opinion was insignificant and unheard.
And the white noise in your laughter
And the fake noise you produce while laughing.
Was just a void that couldn't capture a filler in time
It was an empty noise that could not replace time and experiences.
While you tried to put those pillars in line
While you attempted to make everything perfect and in order.
I was watchin horror films hoping the killer was fine
I was watching horror movies, hoping the antagonist would succeed.
Figured it was prime to tinker with your spine
I thought it would be the perfect time to mess with your emotions and push you to the brink.
While you played the role of Jesus I was spilling your wine
While you acted as a messiah, I was creating chaos and disturbing your peace.
Just to kill some time, they thought it was for justice
Just to pass the time, others believed my actions were justified.
So now it sucks less for me because I crushed your destiny
Now it is less painful for me because I have destroyed your path and plans.
And ducked the lust for a mess to clean up, you love less of me now
I have avoided making a mess that you would have to clean up, and you love me less now as a result.
Never trust a breath I breathe out, I'm sufficiently breathless
Do not trust what I say, as I am exhausted and tired.
Just blood and flesh, yes, you see now?
I am nothing more than human flesh and blood, do you understand that now?
Weed out your garden let me come and find the flowers
Remove the negative influences in your life and allow me to find the positives.
Before you summon the final hours for someone thats blind to cowards
Before you bring the end, remember that I am not afraid of cowards.
I devour jealousy, complaints, and poor sportsmanship
I conquer jealousy, grievances, and unsportsmanlike behavior with ease.
Now you're over-apologetic, wet with a thousand types of tears
Now you are excessively apologizing, crying with countless kinds of tears.
And I don't get it, you kept them right behind your ears
And I do not understand why, you kept them hidden behind your ears.
Tried to steer me near your beaten path of bad company
You tried to direct me towards negative and inflammatory people.
I said I keep my feet in glass and thats comforting
I replied that I am used to hardship, like walking on glass, and it brings me peace.
Thats coming from the king of the road to recovery
This philosophy comes from someone who has overcome hardship and is stronger because of it.
Who's got a soul thats old and I'm singin odes about cold to cut it free
Someone with a mature soul who writes songs about the cold to find freedom.
It's just like me, nothings changed
It is like me, I am the same as I have always been.
And they said, they just wanted to have a kiss
They claimed they only wanted a kiss.
And you were all like, do you wanna battle bitch?
And you responded aggressively, asking if they wanted to fight.
And then you said, our history is too fragile to juggle with
And then you said that our past was too delicate to risk ruin.
But now misery's the only man you'll cuddle with
But now you are only comfortable with misery and pain.
And its so clear, you drew weapons on those you hold dear
It is obvious that you have attacked those closest to you.
Said you were dancin in private, but you're two steppin on toes here, dear dotty.
You claimed to be dancing privately, but in reality you are offending and irritating others around.
Contributed by Alaina E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.