Billy IdolRebel Yell (4:46)

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About This Track

Rebel Yell” is the first song on the Billy Idol album of the same name. When first released in 1984, it charted outside the UK Top 40, but a re-issue in 1985 reached #6. It did not fare as well in the US, only reaching #46. The song was named the 79th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

According to Billy Idol at a televised performance of VH1 Storytellers, the idea of a song thus entitled came to him at an event he once attended, where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones were taking swigs of a “Rebel Yell” bottle of bourbon whiskey , a brand unknown to him, the name of which he liked; Billy decided and stated that he would set off to write a “Rebel Yell” song.

The song was co-written by guitarist Steve Stevens. The instrumental introduction, which sounds like a combination of electric guitar and electronic keyboard, is performed by Stevens on guitar alone, who intended it to sound this way. Stevens states that he was inspired by acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke’s style.

The song has been covered by HIM, Children of Bodom, Kill Hannah, Dope, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Pipedown, Quintaine Americana, Cybercide, Bullets & Octane, Discipline, Scooter, Dog Fashion Disco, and several other artists / bands. Drowning Pool have frequently played it live on their 2007 tour, and is featured on their CD, Full Circle. Rock Star: Supernova contestants Lukas Rossi and Toby Rand also sang the song. In one of the memorable moments of the competition, Rand invited several random women from the audience up onto the stage to sing and dance with him. As an interesting note, there is also a version for marching band.
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  • msippigirl

    Love this Bad Boy's tracks, his sneer too!

    last week
  • TheDarkSide73

    In the midnight hour she comes more, more, more..With a rebel yell she comes more, more, more...GREAT 80s CLASSIC.....

    21 days ago
  • Heyna64

    Das waren noch Zeiten

    21 days ago
  • xEezakx

    Makes me remember "Big" with Tom Hanks

    23 days ago
  • motleycruebich

    i love the little Elvis thing he does with his mouth, so cute!!!!!!!

    last month
  • CarlosWilde

    Bad Boy!!! Cool Boy!

    last month
  • sundryseasons

    More, more, more!

    last month
  • msippigirl

    Love all of this 80s Bad Boy's hits! Along with the sneer!!!

    last month
  • lisabemine

    Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    last month
  • Rockinfreddy

    Ich steh mehr auf Single Malt ;-)

    March 2012
  • cherokeegrl

    In the midnight hour babe, more more MORE

    March 2012
  • tad72

    rebel till i die!

    March 2012
  • oldiesfanjohn

    have sneer will travel

    February 2012
  • BellaPyper

    Awesome song! Love Billy Idol!!

    January 2012
  • Clarissa_AV

    this makes me want to watch "the wraith"

    January 2012
  • nssworld

    I remember when this was hit...what a great song...

    January 2012
  • lejana7

    reble yea

    January 2012
  • Sharpy4

    Best track ever!

    January 2012
  • krausox1

    gut

    December 2011
  • shoegazefan

    <3

    December 2011
See all 436 shouts

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