Jones settled in LA at the age of nineteen, doing the classic waiting tables stuff until she landed a recording contract with Warners. Her self-titled debut album in 1979 was a big success, as was the single, Chuck E.'s in Love, about her musician friend Chuck E. Weiss. At the 1980 Grammy Awards, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist, and also received four more nominations: for Record of the Year; Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female; Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female; and Song of the Year (for "Chuck E.'s in Love"). While none of her subsequent recordings achieved the same level of commercial success, Jones has continued releasing critically acclaimed albums that have explored a variety of sonic terrain from jazz standards to trip hop influenced works.
Jones' pursuit of jazz standards led to the recording of "The Moon Is Made of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" for Rob Wasserman's album Duets in 1985. The latter track earned her another Grammy nomination. And in 1990, her duet with Dr. John, a cover of "Makin' Whoopee", earned the artist her second Grammy Award, this time in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.
At the time of recording her debut album, Jones was in a romantic relationship with Tom Waits; she is the girl draped over the car on the cover of his 1978 album Blue Valentine.
Early in her career, Jones was known for her drinking and substance abuse. She eventually tempered those demons, and came to terms with herself, and her own uncertain spirituality, and has maintained respect of her musical peers.
She's devoted to her talents, beyond music, one of which is raising her teenage daughter, and has even run her own political website and made music critiquing the Bush administration. She is involved in left-wing politics and community activism, partly through her web community, Furniture for the People (http://www.furnitureforthepeople.com/).
A greatest hits collection on Rhino called The Duchess of Coolsville was released in 2005.
In 2007 she signed to New West Records releasing The Sermon On Exposition Blvd, a record exploring lyrical territory inspired by Lee Cantelon's 1991 book The Words, which attempted to translate Christ's teachings into a more accessible contemporary format. Cantelon's friend, Guitarist Peter Atanasoff was instrumental in the creation of the eventual record.
Discography
1979: Rickie Lee Jones – Warner Bros.
1981: Pirates – Warner Bros.
1983: Girl at Her Volcano (EP) – Warner Bros.
1984: The Magazine – Warner Bros.
1989: Flying Cowboys - Geffen
1991: Pop Pop - Geffen
1993: Traffic From Paradise - Geffen
1995: Naked Songs - Reprise
1997: Ghostyhead – Warner Bros.
2000: It's Like This - Artemis
2001: Live at Red Rocks - Artemis
2003: The Evening of My Best Day – V2
2005: Duchess of Coolsville - Rhino
2007: Sermon On Exposition Boulevard - New West
2009: Balm in Gilead
Rebel Rebel
Rickie Lee Jones 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
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
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
Ooo, your face is a mess
Ooo, ooo, so how could they know?
Eh, eh, how could they know?
Eh, eh
The lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" by Rickie Lee Jones tell the story of a gender-nonconforming individual who loves fast-paced music and dancing. The opening lines of the song are simply the instrumental introduction but they set the tempo and the mood of the song. The chorus, "Rebel Rebel, you've torn your dress, your face is a mess," gives listeners an insight into the rebellious nature of the song's protagonist. The verse "You've got your mother in a whirl, she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl" speaks to the confusion that people may experience when encountering someone who doesn't conform to traditional gender norms.
Throughout the song, the singer is celebrated for their rebellious nature and their love for music and dancing. When everyone else wants to slow down, they want to speed up. Their love for the fast-paced lifestyle is infectious, and even the listeners are encouraged to join in. The repetition of "hey babe, your hair's alright" shows that even though the singer may be unconventional, they are still happy with themselves and their appearance. However, when the singer is put down by others, they are referred to as a "tacky thing," highlighting the discrimination that nonconforming genders face. Overall, the song is an uplifting tribute to those who dare to live life on their terms.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got your mother in a whirl 'cause she's
Your unconventional style confuses your mother
Not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Your gender identity is ambiguous to your mother
Hey babe, your hair's alright
Your hairstyle is impressive
Hey babe, let's stay out tonight
Let's go out and have fun tonight
You like me, and I like it all
We mutually enjoy each other's company
We like dancing and we look divine
We are confident and stylish while dancing
You love bands when they're playing hard
You appreciate bands that play with intensity
You want more and you want it fast
You desire instant gratification
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
They criticize you and our relationship
You tacky thing, you put them on
You wear bold and daring clothing that they consider tasteless
Rebel Rebel, you've torn your dress
Your rebellious nature is reflected in your appearance
Rebel Rebel, your face is a mess
Your unconventional appearance is seen as messy and unappealing
Rebel Rebel, how could they know?
Those who criticize you fail to understand your true nature
Hot tramp, I love you so!
I adore you, my free-spirited and unconventional partner
You can't get enough, but enough ain't the test
You constantly seek new experiences, but that doesn't define you
You've got your transmission and your live wire
You have an untamed and spontaneous energy
You got your cue line and a handful of ludes
You're focused and have a laid-back attitude
You wanna be there when they count up the dudes
You have a carefree attitude and want to experience everything
And I love your dress
I admire and respect your fashion choices
You're a juvenile success
Your young age allows you to achieve success in your goals
Because your face is a mess
Your unconventional appearance is misunderstood by others
So how could they know?
Others fail to see the real you beneath your unconventional appearance
Calamity's child, chi-chi, chi-chi
You have a sense of danger and unpredictability
Where'd you wanna go?
Where do you want to explore next?
What can I do for you? Looks like you've been there too
How can I support you? It looks like you have had similar experiences
Ooo, your face is a mess
Your unconventional appearance is not understood by others
So how could they know?
Others lack the ability to fully 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
Felice Marie Berkley
on It Must Be Love
One of my fav. songs..!
Felice Marie Berkley
on Comin' Back To Me
Very pretty song.