David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally… Read Full Bio ↴David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, particularly for his innovative work during the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, and his music and stagecraft had a significant impact on popular music.

Bowie developed an interest in music from an early age. He studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. "Space Oddity", released in 1969, was his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of Bowie's single "Starman" and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted towards a sound he characterised as "plastic soul", initially alienating many of his UK fans but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the album Young Americans. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. In 1977, he again changed direction with the electronic-inflected album Low, the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that came to be known as the "Berlin Trilogy". "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise.

After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had three number-one hits: the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes", its album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and "Under Pressure" (a 1981 collaboration with Queen). He achieved massive commercial success in the 1980s starting with Let's Dance (1983). Between 1988 and 1992, he fronted the hard rock band Tin Machine before resuming his solo career in 1993. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. He also continued acting; his roles included Major Jack Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006), among other film and television appearances and cameos. He stopped touring after 2004 and his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with The Next Day. He remained musically active until his death from liver cancer at his home in New York City. He died two days after both his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).

During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at over 100 million records worldwide, made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In the UK, he was awarded ten platinum, eleven gold and eight silver album certifications, and released 11 number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and nine gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history. As of 2022, Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie

Studio albums
David Bowie (1967)
David Bowie/Space Oddity (1969)
The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
Hunky Dory (1971)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
Pin Ups (1973)
Diamond Dogs (1974)
Young Americans (1975)
Station to Station (1976)
Low (1977)
"Heroes" (1977)
Lodger (1979)
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
Let's Dance (1983)
Tonight (1984)
Never Let Me Down (1987)
Black Tie White Noise (1993)
The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
Outside (1995)
Earthling (1997)
Hours (1999)
Heathen (2002)
Reality (2003)
The Next Day (2013)
Blackstar (2016)

06 Rebel Rebel
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

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?
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

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?
Oh?
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

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!

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
So how could they know?
I said, how could they know?

So what you wanna know
Calamity's child, chi-chi, chi-chi
Where'd you wanna go?
What can I do for you? Looks like you've been there too
'Cause you've torn your dress
And your face is a mess
Ooh, your face is a mess
Ooh, ooh, so how could they know?

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

Overall Meaning

The song "Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie is a classic rock anthem that celebrates nonconformity and individuality. The first verse of the song establishes the rebel persona that the song addresses, who likes to challenge gender norms and embraces a rock-and-roll lifestyle. The second verse praises the rebel's love for music and a good time, while the chorus encourages defiance against social norms and expectations. The final verse celebrates the rebel's wild and dangerous lifestyle, while also acknowledging their vulnerability and asking the question of how others can really understand or judge them.

Overall, the song is a celebration of rebellion and a validation of those who refuse to conform to societal expectations. As one of Bowie's most popular songs, "Rebel Rebel" is a testament to his ability to capture the spirit of his time and connect with audiences looking for a voice of resistance and individual expression.

Line by Line Meaning

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Musical intro with no real meaning

You've got your mother in a whirl
Your mother is confused about your gender identity

She's not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Her confusion is due to your androgynous appearance

Hey babe, your hair's alright
I like your hair

Hey babe, let's go out tonight
Let's go out and have some fun

You like me, and I like it all
We have similar tastes and interests

We like dancing and we look divine
We enjoy dancing and we look great doing it

You love bands when they're playing hard
You enjoy rock and roll music

You want more and you want it fast
You have a need for excitement and stimulation

They put you down, they say I'm wrong
Others criticize and judge you unfairly

You tacky thing, you put them on
You wear attention-grabbing clothing to shock and defy others

Rebel Rebel, you've torn your dress
You rebel against societal norms and expectations

Rebel Rebel, your face is a mess
Your appearance challenges traditional beauty standards

Rebel Rebel, how could they know?
Those who judge you cannot possibly understand or relate to you

Hot tramp, I love you so!
I find you attractive and intriguing

You can't get enough, but enough ain't the test
You crave more experiences and sensations, and don't measure your success by conventional standards

You've got your transmission and your live wire
You have a strong character and vitality, like an electrical current

You got your cue line and a handful of ludes
You have your own style and way of life, including drug use

You wanna be there when they count up the dudes
You want to be counted among the cool, confident people who live life on their own terms

And I love your dress
I admire your unique sense of fashion

You're a juvenile success
You're young but already successful at being yourself

Because your face is a mess
Your unconventional beauty is a reflection of your rebellious spirit

So how could they know?
Those who judge you cannot truly understand you

Calamity's child, chi-chile, chi-chile
Your life is chaotic and unpredictable

Where'd you wanna go?
What do you want to do with your life?

What can I do for you? Looks like you've been there too
I can relate to your struggles and offer support

Ooo, your face is a mess
Your unconventional beauty is still a reflection of your rebellious spirit

So how could they know?
Others cannot truly understand you

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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