He's A Rebel
The Crystals Lyrics


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See the way he walks down the street
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
My, he holds his head up high
When he goes walking by, he's my guy

When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
'Cause he's not just one of the crowd
My baby's always the one to try the things they've never done
Just because of that, they say

He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
Just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
That's no reason why I can't give him all my love

He's always good to me, always treats me tenderly
'Cause he's not a rebel, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, no, no, no, to me

If they don't like him that way
They won't like me after today
I'll be standing right by his side when they say

He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
Just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
That's no reason why we can't share a love

He's always good to me, good to him, I try to be
'Cause he's not a rebel, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, no, no, no, to me

He's not a rebel, no, no, no (no, no, no)
He's not a rebel, no, no, no (no, no, no)
He's not a rebel, no, no, no (no, no, no)
He's not a rebel, no, no, no (no, no, no)

He's not a rebel, no, no, no




He's not a rebel, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, no, no, no

Overall Meaning

The Crystals' "He's a Rebel" is a song about a rebel, but not in the traditional sense of the word. The lyrics describe a man who does not conform to society's expectations and chooses to go against the norm. The singer is proud of her partner's individuality and the fact that he is always willing to try new things, even if it means being labeled a rebel. The society, on the other hand, sees him as a troublemaker who will never amount to anything.


The song's chorus suggests that his behavior is unwelcome and that he will never be accepted by society. However, the singer disagrees and refuses to give up her relationship with him. She sees beyond his rebellious spirit and recognizes the positive qualities that make him unique. In her eyes, he may be a rebel, but he is also caring, romantic, and treats her with tenderness.


The song's message is about acceptance, the need to embrace individuality rather than conform, and not judging people based on societal norms. It's a reminder to look beyond what society deems acceptable and embrace the unique qualities that make people who they are.


Interesting facts about The Crystals' "He's a Rebel":


Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.


Line by Line Meaning

See the way he walks down the street
Observing how he strides down the street


Watch the way he shuffles his feet
Paying close attention to how he moves his feet


My, he holds his head up high
He carries himself with confidence and pride


When he goes walking by, he's my guy
When he passes by, he's the guy I'm with


When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
I feel honored when he holds my hand


'Cause he's not just one of the crowd
Because he stands out from the rest


My baby's always the one to try the things they've never done
My sweetheart is always willing to try new things


Just because of that, they say
For that reason, people label him


He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's considered a troublemaker and will never turn out right in their eyes


He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
He doesn't conform to their expectations and norms


Just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
Simply because he chooses his own path


That's no reason why I can't give him all my love
But that doesn't stop me from loving him deeply


He's always good to me, always treats me tenderly
He is always caring and gentle with me


'Cause he's not a rebel, no, no, no
Because I know who he really is


If they don't like him that way
If they can't accept him for who he is


They won't like me after today
They won't like me once they see my loyalty and devotion to him


I'll be standing right by his side when they say
I'll stick by him when they criticize him


That's no reason why we can't share a love
That doesn't mean we can't have love together


Good to him, I try to be
I strive to be as kind to him as he is to me


He's not a rebel, no, no, no
He's not who they say he is




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gene Pitney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Adrian

"He's A Rebel"

See the way he walks down the street
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
My, he holds his head up high
When he goes walking by
He's my guy

When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
'Cause he's not just one of the crowd
My baby's always the one
To try the things they've never done
And just because of that, they say

He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
But just because he doesn't do
What everybody else does
That's no reason why I can't give him all my love

He's always good to me
Always treats me tenderly
'Cause he's not a rebel, oh no no no
He's not a rebel, oh no no no, to me

If they don't like him that way
They won't like me after today
And I'll be standing right by his side
When they say

He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
But just because he doesn't do
What everybody else does
That's no reason why we can't share a love

He's always good to me
Good to him, I try to be
'Cause he's not a rebel, oh no no no
He's not a rebel, oh no no no, to me
Oh! (He's not a rebel, oh no no no

He's not a rebel, oh no no no
He's not a rebel, oh no no no
No no no



Bilal Gümüş

See the way he walks down the street
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
My, he holds his head up high
When he goes walking by, he's my guy
When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
'Cause he's not just one of the crowd
My baby's always the one to try the things they've never done
And just because of that, they say
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
But just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
That's no reason why I can't give him all my love
He's always good to me, always treats me tenderly
'Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
If they don't like him that way
They won't like me after today
I'll be standing right by his side when they say
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
Just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
That's no reason why we can't share a love
He's always good to me, good to him, I try to be
'Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
Oh, he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no



Tarantulisimo

Darlene Love -- lead vocals
Edna Wright -- co-lead during chorus
The Blossoms (Edna Wright, Fanita James, Gracia Nitzsche), Gloria Jones, Jean King, Bobby Sheen -- backing vocals
The LA Wrecking Crew -- instrumentation
Hal Blaine -- drums
Gene Pitney -- songwriter*
Phil Spector -- producer
Jack Nitzsche -- arranger
Larry Levine -- engineer

*Originally written for The Shirelles, actually recorded by The Blossoms, but ultimately credited to The Crystals



Rita Taddeucci Raffanti

LYRICS TO HE'S A REBEL
written by GENE PITNEY

See the way he walks down the street
 Watch the way he shuffles his feet
 My, he holds his head up high
 When he goes walking by, he's my guy
When he holds my hand, I'm so proud
 'Cause he's not just one of the crowd
 My baby's always the one to try the things they've never done
 And just because of that, they say
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
 He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
 But just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
 That's no reason why I can't give him all my love
He's always good to me, always treats me tenderly
 'Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
If they don't like him that way
 They won't like me after today
 I'll be standing right by his side when they say
He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good
 He's a rebel 'cause he never ever does what he should
 Just because he doesn't do what everybody else does
 That's no reason why we can't share a love
He's always good to me, good to him, I try to be
 'Cause he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no, to me
Oh, he's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 He's not a rebel, oh, no, no, no
 



All comments from YouTube:

Kathryn Wilson

The 60's was a fantastic era for music...loving it !!

Bill Cash

It just doesn't get any better than this!!! Darlene Love on vocals, Gene Pitney lyrics & Phil Spector's genius in the studio. Also a masterpiece is Lala Brooks on "Da Do Ron Ron". WOW. You did good Spector, you did good.

Beau Dare

This is one of the most clever songs ever written. And the words are sung with such exuberance and feeling.. Simply beautiful..

Brock White

Darlene Love is one of the most powerful and accomplished singers ever!

Sharon Ramone

And she still pretty much has that voice!

David Overholt

@Sharon Ramone Darlene's voice is so awesome! When you hear that talent, you will never forget it!

Admiral37

It's too bad she wasn't a member of The Crystals. Spector wanted to rush the record out and enlisted The Blossoms to sing it, but put The Crystals name on the record. The lead singer of The Blossoms? Darlene Love.

Michael Glickman

@Admiral37 The reason why Spector was in a hurry to release this song was because Vikki Carr was about to release her version on Liberty Records.

Drew Harry

"Darlene..." -- Creepy producer clearly based on a young Spector in Bad Times At The El Royale..

6 More Replies...

Janine Luana

My dad used to sing this song to me saying she instead of he. I lost him a few years ago but his spirit feels alive when I hear this song.

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