Rebel
Blue Rodeo Lyrics


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Out on the streets every night
Going out of my head.
Caught in a midnight parade
That I wish I wasn't in,
I'm running away with nowhere to hide
Caught in a world just four lanes wide
Everyone thinks of themselves
But I'm thinking of you.

And it's all for a rebel
And it's all for a rebel

Spent last night falling in love
With a girl in room five.
People 'round here are different
We lead desperate lives,
No, the same moon rising over your head
Is catching me wasted, worn-out and dead
Everyone's watching themselves,
But I'm watching you.

And it's all for a rebel
And it's all for a rebel, yeah

Out on the streets every night
Going out of my head.
I'm caught in a midnight parade
That I wish I wasn't in
No, the sun that's rising over your head
Is catching me wasted, worn-out and dead
Everyone thinks of themselves,
But I'm thinking of you

And it's all for a rebel

And it's all for a rebel
Rebel, rebel, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Blue Rodeo's song "Rebel" depict a sense of isolation and disorientation in the singer's life. The opening lines suggest that the singer is lost and confused, spending his nights wandering aimlessly on the streets. The use of the phrase "going out of my head" highlights the singer's feeling of confusion and desperation. The idea of being caught in a "midnight parade" suggests a sense of being trapped in a cycle or routine that is difficult to escape.


As the song progresses, the singer's thoughts turn to a girl he has fallen in love with. The lyrics suggest that the singer is searching for something deeper than the shallow, self-centered lifestyle of those around him. He is willing to rebel against the norm in order to pursue something meaningful and true. Even as the world around him seems to be focused only on self-preservation, the singer is focused on his relationship with the girl he loves.


Ultimately, the song is an anthem for all those who feel lost and disconnected from the world around them. The singer's search for something deeper drives the song's message of hope and determination.


Line by Line Meaning

Out on the streets every night
The singer is constantly out on the streets each night.


Going out of my head.
The singer is insane with their current lifestyle.


Caught in a midnight parade
The singer is stuck in a never-ending cycle of late-night activities.


That I wish I wasn't in,
The artist regrets being stuck in this cycle.


I'm running away with nowhere to hide
The artist feels trapped with no escape.


Caught in a world just four lanes wide
The singer is limited in their environment.


Everyone thinks of themselves
The people around the singer are selfish.


But I'm thinking of you.
The artist is in love and focused on their lover despite the chaos.


And it's all for a rebel
The actions of the artist are driven by their desire to rebel against society.


Spent last night falling in love
The artist fell in love.


With a girl in room five.
The singer fell in love with someone from a specific room/house.


People 'round here are different
The people around the artist are unique.


We lead desperate lives,
The people around the singer live lives that are filled with desperation.


No, the same moon rising over your head
Despite being in different locations, the singer and their lover are under the same moon.


Is catching me wasted, worn-out and dead
The singer is exhausted and defeated.


Everyone's watching themselves,
The people around the artist are preoccupied with their own problems.


But I'm watching you.
The artist is devoted to their lover.


Rebel, rebel, yeah
The singer is a rebel, and this is their anthem.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG KEELOR, JIM CUDDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gurkhaboy

A true Canadian treasure! Still remember first hearing about them in the 1980s...

@patriciaharrison3520

Lived in Toronto for a few years and this album is my songtrack to then. Loved Toronto loved and still love Blue Rodeo❤ 🇨🇮🇨🇦🇨🇮

@mitchmatthews6713

The sum is greater than the parts. Blue Rodeo is that magic band!

@jeffreybarkin3177

Quite TRUE...

The MUSICIANSHIP is STELLAR with Arrangements that CAPTIVATE!

Hace "Followed" Them since THEIR START.

@haweater1555

Hearing this immediately jogs my memories back to my first year away from home to college in the big city, 1987-88. Regularly played on CFGM 1320 AM Country, Toronto. I can't go back to those times but I can always remember....

@patricksommers2629

wow! same time line and circumstances here, too..except I listened to 820 cham !

@haweater1555

@@patricksommers2629 B.R. fans lamented "they didn't get radio airplay.. " but country stations did. Where I grew up, hundreds of miles from the big city, I listened to CHAM as it had a stronger signal.

@diannerowcliffe8089

See you in Barrie this December.

@drjamesnoble

These lost songs shouldn't be lost

@canadian-girl

love this song so so many memories with this song

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