According to Billy Idol at a televised performance of VH1 Storytellers, the idea of a song thus entitled came to him at an event he once attended, where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones were taking swigs of a "Rebel Yell" bottle of bourbon whiskey, a brand unknown to him, the name of which he liked; Billy decided and stated that he would set off to write a "Rebel Yell" song.
The song was co-written by guitarist Steve Stevens. The instrumental introduction, which sounds like a combination of electric guitar and electronic keyboard, is performed by Stevens on guitar alone, who intended it to sound this way. Stevens states that he was inspired by acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke's style.
The song has been covered by HIM, Children of Bodom, Kill Hannah, Dope, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Pipedown, Quintaine Americana, Cybercide, Bullets & Octane, Discipline, Scooter, Dog Fashion Disco, and several other artists / bands. Drowning Pool have frequently played it live on their 2007 tour, and is featured on their CD, Full Circle. Rock Star: Supernova contestants Lukas Rossi and Toby Rand also sang the song. In one of the memorable moments of the competition, Rand invited several random women from the audience up onto the stage to sing and dance with him. As an interesting note, there is also a version for marching band.
In 2007, Finnish symphonic power metal band Northern Kings consisting of singers and musicians from four well known bands including Nightwish, Sonata Arctica and Charon covered the song on their debut album Reborn.
The song was satirized by Sesame Street with a Muppet version called "Rebel L".
* The song was presented in the Knight Rider Season 3 Episode Dead of Knight originally aired on December 2, 1984.
* The song was featured in the 1985 drama The Legend of Billie Jean.
* The song was featured in the 1988 comedy Big when Josh and Billy are in their apartment hanging out, the song's music video is playing.
* The song was featured in a 2004 Blockbuster commercial promoting no late fees.
* The song was referenced in the 2007 Against Me! single Thrash Unreal, from the album New Wave.
* The song was featured in a 2008 Comcast commercial where the family is having an outside reunion and when the man's wife asks him something, the husband responds with the song playing the lyrics "More, More More".
* In 2008, Twisted Sister Frontman, Dee Snider's son, Jesse Blaze Snider sang this song in the Reality show, "Rock the Cradle".
* The song is a playable track in the 2008 music video game Guitar Hero World Tour, as well as a downloadable song for Rock Band.
* The CJFL's Victoria Rebels play the song to open their games and after every touchdown.
In 1996, the song was covered by the German dance band Scooter. It was released as the third single of their second album, Our Happy Hardcore.
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 ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patriafernandez
๐ต"Rebel Yell"๐ต
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 ๐๐ช๐ฟ๐ช๐ฟ๐ช๐ฟ
@karenjean8611
Me too Rachel. 78 and it's on my Playlist.