Idol began his music career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. However, he soon left the group. With his former bandmate Tony James, Idol formed Generation X. With Idol as lead singer, the band achieved success in the United Kingdom and released three studio albums on Chrysalis Records, then disbanded. In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut studio album, Billy Idol (1982), was a commercial success. With music videos for singles "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" Idol soon became a staple of then newly-established MTV.
Idol's second studio album, Rebel Yell (1983), was a major commercial success, featuring hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face". The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of two million copies in the US. In 1986, he released Whiplash Smile. Having accumulated three UK top 10 singles ("Rebel Yell", "White Wedding" and "Mony Mony"), Idol released a 1988 greatest hits album titled Idol Songs: 11 of the Best; the album went platinum in the United Kingdom. Idol then released Charmed Life (1990) and the concept album Cyberpunk (1993).
Idol spent the second half of the 1990s focusing on his personal life out of the public eye. He made a musical comeback with the release of Devil's Playground (2005) and again with Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014).
Idol Rebel Yell Rebel Yell
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last night a little angel came pumpin' on my floor
She said, "Come on baby I 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", oh
In the midnight hour babe 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 set you free and brought you to me babe?
What set 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", oh
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 7-11
Well he's out all night to collect a fare
Just as long, just as long it don't mess up his hair
Whoa, oh
I walked the world with you, babe (babe)
A thousand miles with you (with you)
I dried your tears of pain (pain), babe (babe)
A million times for you (for you)
I'd sell my soul (soul) for you babe (babe)
For money to burn (burn) with you (with you)
I'd give you all, and have none, babe (babe)
Justa, justa, justa, justa, to have you here by me (here by me)
Because
In the midnight hour she cried, "More, more, more"
With a rebel yell she cried, "More, more, more", oh
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
The lyrics of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol speak of a woman who comes to the singer at night looking for more in their relationship. Her request for "more" is punctuated by a "rebel yell" - a cry of defiance and passion. The singer reflects on their connection, asking what set her free and brought her to him. He declares his love and loyalty, willing to do anything for her, even to sell his soul or give up all he has.
The song is filled with imagery of rebellion, freedom, and desire. The "rebel yell" itself can be seen as a metaphor for breaking free from societal norms and pursuing one's own passions. The woman is not content to sit and beg for love, but seeks it actively and demands more of it. The singer too is a rebel of sorts, willing to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves.
Overall, "Rebel Yell" is a passionate and romantic song that speaks to the human desire for freedom, love, and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door
A young woman came to my door last night for dancing
Last night a little angel came pumpin' on my floor
A beautiful woman came to my room last night
She said, "Come on baby I got a license for love
She told me that she has permission to love
And if it expires pray help from above" because
If her permission to love expires, she will need divine intervention
In the midnight hour she cried, "More, more, more"
She wanted more in the middle of the night
With a rebel yell she cried, "More, more, more", oh
She passionately cried out for more
She don't like slavery, she won't sit and beg
She doesn't like to be controlled and won't beg for anything
But when I'm tired and lonely she sees me to bed
When I am emotionally drained and alone, she comforts me
What set you free and brought you to me babe?
What gave you the freedom and led you to me?
What set you free? I need you here by me
What gave you freedom? I need you beside me
He lives in his own Heaven
He is content living in his own world
Collects it to go from the 7-11
He collects things from 7-11 store
Well he's out all night to collect a fare
He works all night to collect his payment
Just as long, just as long it don't mess up his hair
As long as his hair doesn't get messed up
I walked the world with you, babe (babe)
I have traveled the world with you
A thousand miles with you (with you)
We have traveled a thousand miles together
I dried your tears of pain (pain), babe (babe)
I have comforted you through your pain
A million times for you (for you)
I have done it countless times for you
I'd sell my soul (soul) for you babe (babe)
I would do anything for you
For money to burn (burn) with you (with you)
I would spend all my money with you
I'd give you all, and have none, babe (babe)
I would give you everything I have, even if I am left with nothing
Justa, justa, justa, justa, to have you here by me (here by me)
Just to have you here with me
Ooh yeah little baby
Oh yes, my little baby
She want more
She wants more
More, more, more, more, more
More, more, more, more, more
Ooh yeah little angel
Oh yes, my little angel
She want more
She wants more
More, more, more, more, more
More, more, more, more, more
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patriafernandez
🎵"Rebel Yell"🎵
Last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door
Last night a little angel came pumping on the floor
She said "Come on baby I 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 set you free and brought you to me babe
What set 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 by 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'd walk the world with you, babe
A thousand miles with 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 with 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.
Oh yeah little baby
She want more
More, more, more, more, more.
Oh yeah little angel
She want more
More, more, more, more, more.
@42ayla
Can we appreciate the fact that no one really expected him to survive the 80's and here he is still rocking his concerts? How's that for epic?
@arkhamlovecraft5592
It doesn't really count now because hw just a vegas show preformed now lol
@reasleft
@@JAECize his drug use was heavy
@42ayla
@@JAECize The act? Nothing. His lifestyle was dangerous. Ironically he got the idea for this song after drinking Rebel Yell with some other musicians. The words were created around the name. I'm glad he survived it.
Stay well friend.
@42ayla
@@arkhamlovecraft5592 I saw him some years ago opening for Def Leppard. More like a double bill given all the talent on the stage. Way too much fun.
@mitchelle4322
@@JAECize Drugs, drugs and more drugs. Look up his 3 week drug party in a hotel in Thailand. Glady Billy is still with us I watch his instagram vids walking around with his granddaughter.
@rachelb2231
I'm a grandmother. 8 grandkids... and counting. I remember seeing Billy Idol live. My grandkids will never understand.
@Armageddon80
Honestly get a life
@buccilander
Just strong granny 😂💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
@karenjean8611
Me too Rachel. 78 and it's on my Playlist.