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).
Rebell Yell
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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, wow!
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 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!
In Billy Idol's song "Rebel Yell," the lyrics tell the story of a lustful encounter with a woman who is bold and confident. She approaches the singer and invites him to engage in a passionate and intense night of love. She states that they need to have a "license for love" and if that license expires, they will need divine intervention. The woman is described as someone who does not tolerate injustice or oppression, expressing her disdain for slavery and her willingness to help the singer when he is down. The chorus emphasizes her passion and desire for more, crying out "more, more, more" with a "rebel yell" in the midnight hour.
The song can be interpreted as a celebration of lust, passion, and rebellion against societal norms. The singer is enamored with the woman's confidence and strength, even though she may not fit traditional gender roles. The line "she won't sit and beg" implies that she is not submissive or weak, challenging societal expectations of women. Additionally, the line "he lives in his own heaven, collects it to go from the seven eleven" could suggest that the singer is a loner, finding solace in solitude, and doesn't seek approval from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door
A woman came to my house last night dancing.
Last night a little angel came pumping on my floor
A beautiful woman came to my house.
She said come on baby, you got a license for love
She tempted me and asked if I had the qualifications to make love.
And if it expires, pray help from above, because
If my love fails, I will have to ask for help from a higher power.
In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more
She called out for more pleasure in the middle of the night.
With a rebel yell she cried more, more, more, wow!
She screamed out in excitement for more.
She don't like slavery, she won't sit and beg
She dislikes being controlled and won't beg for anything.
But when I'm tired and lonely she sees me to bed
But when I'm feeling exhausted and alone, she comforts me in bed.
What sets you free and brought you to me, babe
What made you free and led you to me, my love?
What sets you free, I need you here by me, because
Whatever it was, I need you by my side.
He lives in his own heaven
He exists in his own blissful state.
Collects it to go from the seven eleven
He purchases his happiness from a convenience store.
Well, he's out all night to collect a fare
He spends all night working to make money.
Just as long, just as long it don't mess up his hair
As long as he can maintain his appearance, he doesn't care how late he works.
I walked the ward, for you, babe
I traveled a great distance for you, my love.
A thousand miles, for you
I traveled a great distance for you, my love.
I dried your tears, of pain, babe
I helped you through your painful times by drying your tears.
A million times, for you
I helped you through your painful times multiple times.
I'd sell my soul, for you, babe
I love you so much that I would do anything for you, even sell my own soul.
For money to burn, for you
I would do anything and everything for you, including wasting my money.
I'd give you all, and have none, babe
I would give everything to you, even if it means I have nothing left for myself.
Just to, just to, just to, just to, to have you here by me, because
I do everything I can to have you by my side.
Ooh yeah, little baby
Oh yes, my love.
She want more
You desire more, my love.
More, more, more, more, more!
You desire more and more.
Ooh yeah, little angel
Oh yes, my love.
She want more
You desire more, my love.
More, more, more, more, more!
You desire more and more.
Contributed by Tristan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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.