David Bowie

Lyrics

[Intro]
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo-doo doo

[Verse 1]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

[Chorus]
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
{Bridge}
Don't ya?
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo-doo doo
[Verse 2]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
They put you down, they say I'm wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

[Chorus]
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

[Bridge]
Don't ya?
Ooh!
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo-doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo-doo doo
[Chorus]
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?)

[Bridge]

[Outro]
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 I'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?
Ah, ah, how could they know?
Ah, ah

David Bowie is one of the most iconic musicians of all time, creating a vast discography that spans a wide range of genres. One of his most famous songs is Rebel Rebel, a single from his 1974 album Diamond Dogs. While the song didn't perform as well in the US as it did in the UK, Rebel Rebel became a longtime concert favorite and is still played frequently on classic rock stations. The song's lyrics deal openly with Bowie's sexuality, something that was not common in mainstream music at the time. This added to Bowie's allure as an enigmatic, boundary-pushing artist.

About Rebel Rebel

Rebel Rebel is a song that reveals much about Bowie's transformation as an artist. It is widely considered to be his last glam rock single, coming from an album that marks his transition into the funk and soul stage of his career. In this way, the song is a bridge that connects Bowie's early work with the innovation and experimentation of his later years. The song's catchy guitar riff and upbeat tempo serve as an excellent showcase for Bowie's distinctive vocals.

One of the aspects that makes Rebel Rebel stand out is that it is also one of Bowie's most personal songs. The lyrics deal frankly with Bowie's sexuality, describing a "hot tramp" who walks "like a sailor," and asserting "You've got your mother in a whirl / 'cause she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl." These lines were provocative at the time, and today they still speak to Bowie's willingness to push boundaries and challenge norms. He was known for being a sexual and cultural rebel, and the song captures that attitude perfectly.

Another crucial aspect of Rebel Rebel is its iconic guitar riff. The riff is catchy and memorable, made up of just a few simple chords, but it quickly became one of the most recognizable in all of rock music. Bowie credited his guitarist, Earl Slick, with coming up with the riff, and Slick has said that he played it with a lot of attitude, trying to capture the rebellious spirit of the song. The riff has been covered and sampled by countless artists, cementing its status as a true classic.

While Rebel Rebel is a standout track on Diamond Dogs, it is just one example of Bowie's range and creativity on that album. Diamond Dogs saw Bowie moving beyond the glam rock that had made him famous and incorporating elements of funk, soul, and even Broadway-style theatrics. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it further solidified Bowie's standing as one of the most innovative and important artists of his generation. To this day, Diamond Dogs stands as one of Bowie's most influential and enduring works.

In closing, Rebel Rebel is a testament to Bowie's artistry, his willingness to push boundaries, and his gift for crafting unforgettable melodies and lyrics. The song captures a moment in time when culture was changing rapidly, and Bowie played a vital role in shaping that change. It remains an essential piece of rock music history, and no matter how many times you hear it, the song's rebellious spirit still shines through.

• Release Date: February 15, 1974
• Artist: David Bowie