Rebel Rebel
´óÎÀ.±«ÒÁ(David Bowie) Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Youve got your mother in a whirl
Shes not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Hey babe, your hairs alright
Hey babe, lets go out tonight
You like me, and I like it all
We like dancing and we look divine
You love bands when they're playing hard
You want more and you want it fast
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress
Rebel rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so!

Don't ya?
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Youve got your mother in a whirl cause shes
Not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Hey babe, your hairs alright
Hey babe, lets stay out tonight
You like me, and I like it all
We like dancing and we look divine
You love bands when they're playing hard
You want more and you want it fast
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress
Rebel rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so!

Don't ya?
Oh?

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress
Rebel rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so!

Youve torn your dress, your face is a mess
You can't get enough, but enough aint the test
Youve got your transmission and your live wire
You got your cue line and a handful of ludes
You wanna be there when they count up the dudes
And I love your dress
Youre a juvenile success
Because your face is a mess
So how could they know?
I said, how could they know?

So what you wanna know
Calamitys child, chi-chile, chi-chile
Whered you wanna go?
What can I do for you? Looks like youve been there too
Cause youve torn your dress
And your face is a mess
Oh, your face is a mess
Oh, oh, so how could they know?




Eh, eh, how could they know?
Eh, eh

Overall Meaning

"Rebel Rebel" is a classic rock song that was released in 1974 by English musician David Bowie. The song is about a rebellious youth who does not fit into society's expectations of gender roles. The chorus repeats the phrase "Rebel Rebel", emphasizing the singer's defiance against societal norms. The opening riff is iconic and sets the tone for the song's rebellious and energetic vibe. The lyrics reveal the singer's confidence in their identity and how they love being different from others. They love dressing up and dancing to great music, which makes them feel divine. However, society does not understand them, and they encounter criticism and hate from people who do not accept them for who they are.


Line by Line Meaning

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
The sound here is just filler and does not convey any specific meaning.


Youve got your mother in a whirl
Your mother is confused by the way you dress and can't figure out if you're a boy or a girl.


Shes not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Your appearance and fashion sense are non-binary, and your mother has a hard time understanding this.


Hey babe, your hairs alright
I like the way your hair looks, and it's not a problem if it's unconventional or messy.


Hey babe, lets go out tonight
Let's go out and enjoy the night while being ourselves, regardless of societal pressures.


You like me, and I like it all
We like each other and everything about each other, including our fashion sense and unconventional lifestyles.


We like dancing and we look divine
We enjoy dancing and when we dance, we feel and look amazing and unique.


You love bands when they're playing hard
You love aggressive, loud music and performances that don't conform to societal norms.


You want more and you want it fast
You crave excitement and unconventional experiences that push boundaries and challenge norms.


They put you down, they say I'm wrong
Society criticizes and marginalizes you because of your non-conformity, and they see me as a bad influence on you.


You tacky thing, you put them on
Despite society's criticism, you continue to wear and enjoy unconventional and non-mainstream clothing and accessories.


Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress
You are rebellious and intentionally tear your clothes as a symbol of your desire to challenge societal norms and expectations.


Rebel rebel, your face is a mess
Your unconventional appearance attracts criticism and hostility from mainstream society, but you don't let it bother you.


Hot tramp, I love you so!
I really like you and find your non-traditional appearance and lifestyle attractive and exciting.


You can't get enough, but enough aint the test
Despite your non-conformity and rebellion, you still desire acceptance and validation from society, but you refuse to change or conform for the sake of fitting in.


You got your cue line and a handful of ludes
You have a stash of drugs and paraphernalia that help fuel your non-conventional lifestyle and experiences.


You wanna be there when they count up the dudes
You want to attend events and experiences where non-conforming people like yourself are in attendance and celebrated.


And I love your dress
I really like your unconventional clothing and style choices.


Youre a juvenile success
Your non-conformity and rebellious behavior are considered cool and exciting, especially among young people.


So what you wanna know
I'm open to your questions and conversation on this topic.


Calamitys child, chi-chile, chi-chile
Your non-conformity and rebellion can be seen as creating chaos, but I still find it exciting and attractive.


Whered you wanna go?
I'm open to going anywhere and experiencing anything with you, regardless of how unconventional it is.


What can I do for you? Looks like youve been there too
I'm here to help and support you, and I understand the difficulties and criticisms you face as a non-conforming individual.


And your face is a mess
Your unconventional lifestyle and behavior are viewed by society as messy and chaotic, but I find it exciting and attractive.


Oh, so how could they know?
Society's criticism of our non-conformity is based on ignorance and fear, and they can't truly understand or appreciate our unique experiences.




Contributed by Sophia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@rosesouza5243

Rebel Rebel

You've got your mother in a whirl
She's not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Hey, babe, your hair's alright
Hey, babe, let's go out tonight
You like me and I like it all

We like dancing and we look divine
You love bands when they're playing hard
You want more and you want it fast
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel, rebel, you've torn your dress
Rebel, rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel, rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so

Don't 'ya?
Don't 'ya?

You've got your mother in a whirl
'Cause she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Hey, babe, your hair's alright
Hey, babe, let's stay out tonight
You like me and I like it all

We like dancing and we look divine
You love bands when they're playing hard
You want more and you want it fast
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel, rebel, you've torn your dress
Rebel, rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel, rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so

Don't 'ya?

Rebel, rebel, you've torn your dress
Rebel, rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel, rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so

Don't 'ya?

You've torn your dress, your face is a mess
You can't get enough, but enough ain't the test
You've got your transmission and your live wire
You got your cue line and a handful of ludes
You wanna be there when they count up the dudes
And I love your dress
You're a juvenile success
Because your face is a mess
(Rebel, rebel)
So how could they know?
I said, how could they know?
(Rebel, rebel)

So what you wanna know?
Calamity's child, chi, cha, chi, cha

(Rebel, rebel)
Where'd you wanna go?
What can I do for you?
Looks like you've been there too
'Cause you've torn your dress
(Rebel, rebel)
And your face is a mess
Oh, your face is a mess
(Rebel, rebel)
Oh, oh, so how could they know?
Ah, ah, how could they know?
(Rebel, rebel)



All comments from YouTube:

@SuperRaedizzle

this song instantly puts me in a good mood

@EmperorNerox

Your screen name puts me in a good mood 😌 i think

@rokyericksonroks

“You like dancing and we look divine”

@Ty-vj4wg

Yes

@derekhanvey8179

Yeah AHH Bowie is the biz

@gerald4133

It has a way of picking ya' up!

62 More Replies...

@isteve2464

In the late 1970s, a rock radio station in Houston switched to disco, so the last DJ on the rock station played "Rebel Rebel" ten times in a row as his final stiff-fingered gesture to the owners.

@markmcallan973

What an exit bro! Love U story! That dudes a rebel rebel!

@joshuabruno8181

I hope that station went out of business

@bigfatdynamo246

@Joshua Bruno I mean... they changed formats TO disco in the late-70s.

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