The group, whose style was based upon the sounds of Sun Records artists and other artists from the 1950s, were heavily influenced by Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent and Bill Haley & His Comets. The Stray Cats quickly developed a large following in the New York music scene playing at CBGB and Max's Kansas City as well as venues on Long Island. When the Cats heard a rumor that there was a revival of the 1950s Teddy Boy youth subculture in England, the band moved to the UK. They then spearheaded the nascent rockabilly revival, by blending the 1950s Sun Studio sound with modern punk musical elements. In terms of visual style the Stray Cats also blended elements of 1950 rockabilly clothes such as wearing drape jackets, brothel creepers and western shirts with punk clothes such as tight black zipper trousers and modern versions of 1950s hair styles.
In the summer of 1980 the Cats found themselves being courted by the elite of the music world including Virgin Records, Stiff Records and Arista Records. Word quickly spread and soon members of The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin were at their shows. After a gig in London, Stray Cats met producer Dave Edmunds, well known as a roots rock enthusiast for his work with Rockpile and as a solo artist. Edmunds offered to work with the group, and they entered the studio to record their self-titled debut album, Stray Cats, released in England in 1981 on Arista Records. They had three hits that year with "Runaway Boys", "Rock This Town", and "Stray Cat Strut". The UK follow-up to Stray Cats, Gonna Ball, was not as well-received, providing no hits. Yet the combined sales of their first two albums was enough to convince EMI America to compile the best tracks from the two UK albums and issue an album (Built for Speed) in the U.S. in 1982. The record went on to sell double platinum in the US and Canada and was the #2 record on the Billboard album charts for 26 weeks
Musical and personal conflicts began to emerge in the ways that the individual members handled their new-found success; Phantom married actress Britt Ekland, while Setzer made guest appearances with stars like Bob Dylan and Stevie Nicks and became the concert guitarist for Robert Plant's Honeydrippers side project. In late 1984, the band added former BMT's guitarist and Long Island native Tommy Byrnes on second guitar and harmony vocals, and after a European and US tour which ended at the New Orleans World's Fair, parted ways.
Rocker and Phantom formed a trio called Phantom Rocker & Slick (the "Slick" being former David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick) which contained the single "Men Without Shame", guest musicians on this record included both Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Nicky Hopkins on the piano. Setzer went on to a solo career, retaining Byrnes and exchanging his rockabilly focus for a more wide-ranging roots rock/Americana sound on albums such as 1986's The Knife Feels Like Justice. In 1986, the Stray Cats reunited in Los Angeles, and recorded the covers-heavy Rock Therapy. In 1989, they reunited once again for the album Blast Off!, which was accompanied by a tour with US blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. No longer with EMI America, they entered the studio with Nile Rodgers for the record titled Let's Go Faster, issued by Liberation in 1990. After 1992's Dave Edmunds-produced Choo Choo Hot Fish, and after another covers album, 1993's Original Cool, the group called it quits again.
In 2004, the Stray Cats reunited for a month-long tour of Europe. A live album culled from those concerts, Rumble In Brixton, included one new studio track, "Mystery Train Kept A Rollin'." In 2007, they reunited once again for a successful and long awaited US tour with ZZ Top and The Pretenders. This was their first North American tour in over 15 years. In the 2000s, the band toured Europe as part of their Farewell Tour, although the band has performed concerts intermittently in the ensuing years.
In 2008, for the first time in 18 years, the Stray Cats visited Australia and New Zealand which included several consecutive sold out shows of their Farewell (Australia) Tour.
In April 2009 the band reunited for a single show to celebrate Brian’s 50th birthday at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis, MN.
Rebels Rule
Stray Cats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be damned if I work all day
I think that you look okay
I won't even look your way
Teenage rebels out all night
Teenage rebels drink and fight
Rockabilly rebel don't go to school
Hey hey hey hey
Teenage rebels rule okay
I'll be damned if I work all day
I think that you look okay
I won't even look your way
Teenage rebels out all night
Teenage rebels drink and fight
Rockabilly rebel don't go to school
Teenage rebel rule rule rule
Hey hey hey hey
You look like something that the cat dragged in
Yeah well you look something of an assembly line
I think it's high time you pay some rent
I'd rather leave home and live in a tent
The principal say you've been cuttin' class
Well you can take that school and shove it up your ass
That music you're playing is way too loud
Ooh Rock and Roll is never too loud
Teenage rebels rule okay
I'll be damned if I work all day
I think that you look okay
I won't even look your way
Teenage rebels out all night
Teenage rebels drink and fight
Rockabilly rebel don't go to school
Ooh teenage rebel rule rule rule
Hey hey hey hey
The song "Rebels Rule" by Stray Cats is a celebration of teenage rebellion and a rejection of conformity. The lyrics express the sentiment that teenagers have the right to live life on their own terms and not be bound by societal expectations such as going to school or working a traditional job. The repeated phrase "teenage rebels rule okay" serves as a rallying cry for the youth to embrace their nonconformity and live their lives to the fullest.
The lyrics also touch upon the idea of being judged by others. The singer of the song refuses to judge others based on their appearance and instead focuses on their individuality. He believes that everyone has the right to live freely and without judgement, just as he himself does.
Musically, "Rebels Rule" is a fast-paced rockabilly song with a driving beat and catchy guitar riffs. The rebellious spirit of the song is reflected in the raw and energetic sound, which perfectly captures the essence of teenage rebellion.
Overall, "Rebels Rule" is a high-energy anthem for teenage rebellion, urging young people to embrace their individuality and reject conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Teenage rebels rule okay
Teenage rebels are in charge and doing well
I'll be damned if I work all day
I refuse to work a regular job for someone else all day
I think that you look okay
I'm neutral about your appearance
I won't even look your way
I'm not interested in you
Teenage rebels out all night
Teenage rebels are out and about all night long
Teenage rebels drink and fight
Teenage rebels indulge in alcohol and physical altercations
Rockabilly rebel don't go to school
A particular type of rebel who's into rockabilly does not attend school
Teenage rebel rule rule rule
Teenage rebels are the ones in charge, and they rule everything
You look like something that the cat dragged in
You look terrible, like you've had a rough time
Yeah well you look something of an assembly line
You look very ordinary, like you're part of a production line
I think it's high time you pay some rent
It's about time that you started contributing financially
I'd rather leave home and live in a tent
I'd rather be homeless than follow your rules
The principal say you've been cuttin' class
The school principal says that you've been skipping classes
Well you can take that school and shove it up your ass
I don't care about school or what the principal says
That music you're playing is way too loud
The music you're playing is excessively loud
Ooh Rock and Roll is never too loud
Rock and Roll should always be played loudly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SETZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse .Sutton
This song came out when I was 5. My dad bought it, and this became my favorite song in the world. I am still a Stray Cats fan. Every grade-schooler needs rebellion, right?
REBEL GREASER
Jesse .Sutton Fuck yeah man! I’m a Rockabilly rebel and I am rebellious anywhere including school man 💀
Bear Holiday
Rock N Roll is never too LOUD !!
Chance Batts
Yeah! Rockibilly!
BENichs the Pheonix
It’s funny back then they couldn’t even say Ass and now a days people are swearing every sentence
køpper
Wasn't censored 'til later. I bought the album when it was released and it wasn't censored on my copy.
駄土我土
eddie cochran's Weekend?