Rebel Yell (song)
Encyclopedia
"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
.
, 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.
Notes:
by HIM, Children of Bodom
, Kill Hannah
, Dope
, The Dillinger Escape Plan
, Pipedown
, Quintaine Americana
, Bullets & Octane, 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.
In 2007, Finnish symphonic power metal
band Northern Kings
consisting of singers and musicians from four well known bands including Nightwish
, Sonata Arctica
and Charon
covered the song on their debut album Reborn.
The song was satirised by Sesame Street
with a Muppet version called "Rebel L".
Dope also covered this song. They made a demo version for it in 2003. They played the song live since 2007. Also featuring on No regrets album.
In 2011, Sum 41
has covered the song live during their European leg of Screaming Bloody Murder Tour
.
Black Veil Brides
have also covered the song during their 2011 Set the World on Fire
Tour.
.
12"-Maxi – Germany
CD-Single – France
12-Maxi – France
CD-Maxi – Australia
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
album of the same name
Rebel Yell (album)
Rebel Yell is the second album by British punk rock artist Billy Idol, released in 1983. It was very successful with four singles on the U.S. Hot 100 charts, while the album reached #6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album charts...
. 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
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
.
Writing
According to Billy Idol at a televised performance of VH1 StorytellersVH1 Storytellers
Storytellers is a television music series produced by the VH1 network.In each episode artists perform in front of a live audience, and tell stories about their music, writing experiences and memories, somewhat similar to MTV Unplugged...
, the idea of a song thus entitled came to him at an event he once attended, where Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
were taking swigs of a "Rebel Yell"
Rebel Yell (whiskey)
Rebel Yell is a brand of Kentucky made Straight Bourbon Whiskey that is made using more wheat than most Bourbons. The brand name is currently owned and marketed by Luxco, and the bourbon itself is distilled and bottled under contract by Heaven Hill at its Bernheim distillery in Louisville, Kentucky...
bottle of bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
, 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
Steve Stevens
Steve Stevens is an American guitarist and songwriter.He is best known for playing for other artists and less known for his critically acclaimed solo efforts , collaborations Steve Stevens (born as Steven Schneider on May 5, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American guitarist and songwriter.He...
. 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
Leo Kottke
Leo Kottke is an acoustic guitarist. He is widely known for his innovative fingerpicking style, which draws on influences from blues, jazz, and folk music, and his syncopated, polyphonic melodies...
's style.
Charts
| Chart (1984/1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 3 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
621, 62 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
46 |
| U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
9 |
Notes:
- 1 – Original release in 1984
- 2 – Re-release in 1985
Other versions
The song has been coveredCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by HIM, Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, Kill Hannah
Kill Hannah
Kill Hannah is a rock band formed in 1993 in Chicago. The band has released six studio albums, seven EPs, and two compilation albums as well as three DVDs.-History:...
, Dope
Dope (band)
Dope is an American rock band from Villa Park, Illinois, formed in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois.To date, the band has released five full-length studio albums, their most recent being No Regrets which was released on March 10, 2009.-History:...
, The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group originated in 1997 after the disbanding of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio consisting of Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie. The band's current line-up consists of guitarist Ben Weinman,...
, Pipedown
Pipedown
Pipedown was a hardcore punk band from Northern California with radical leftist lyrics. Starting in Grass Valley, California in 1997, their lyrics often remind of eco-anarchism, especially since they recommended books like the Unabomber Manifesto: Industrial Society and its Future and Deep...
, Quintaine Americana
Quintaine Americana
Quintaine Americana is a hard rock band from Boston that started out in 1995.-History:Singer/guitarist Rob Dixon and drummer Jason King both hail from the small town of Drew, Mississippi and moved to Boston in the late 1980s. Bassist Marc Schleicher grew up in Norwell, Massachusetts but family...
, Bullets & Octane, Scooter
Scooter (band)
Scooter are a German hard dance band founded in Hamburg, who have sold over 25 million records and earned over 80 gold and platinum awards. Scooter are considered the most successful single-record German act with 23 top ten hits. The band is currently composed of members H.P. Baxxter, Rick J....
, Dog Fashion Disco
Dog Fashion Disco
Dog Fashion Disco was an experimental metal band, from Rockville, Maryland, that was active from 1996 to 2007.- Biography :Combining many different music styles Dog Fashion Disco was primarily considered an avant-garde metal band...
, and several other artists / bands. Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool is a four-piece alternative metal band from Dallas, Texas.-Early days :Drowning Pool rose to fame while playing along with Ozzy Osbourne during an Ozzfest tour. Their 2001 debut album, Sinner was certified platinum within six weeks...
have frequently played it live on their 2007 tour, and is featured on their CD, Full Circle
Full Circle (Drowning Pool album)
-Personnel:Drowning Pool* Ryan McCombs - Vocals* Stevie Benton - Bass* C. J. Pierce - Guitar* Mike Luce - Drums-Chart positions:-Singles charts:Production* Produced by Ben Schigel, Except "Reason I'm Alive" Produced by Nikki Sixx and DJ Ashba...
. Rock Star: Supernova contestants Lukas Rossi
Lukas Rossi
Lukas Rossi is a Canadian rock musician and was the winner of the CBS Television reality series Rock Star: Supernova - a televised audition contest to become lead singer of the Hard Rock Supergroup Rock Star Supernova.-Biography:Rossi was born a women and served time in jail...
and Toby Rand
Toby Rand
Toby William Lloyd Rand is an Australian singer best known for being lead singer of Rock band, Juke Kartel and his appearance on Rock Star: Supernova. He is the lead vocalist for Melbourne rock band Juke Kartel....
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.
In 2007, Finnish symphonic power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Northern Kings
Northern Kings
Northern Kings is a Finnish symphonic metal cover supergroup, made up of four musicians who have already become well known in their existing bands: Jarkko Ahola from Teräsbetoni, ex-Dreamtale, Marco Hietala from Nightwish and Tarot, Tony Kakko from Sonata Arctica and Juha-Pekka Leppäluoto from...
consisting of singers and musicians from four well known bands including Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
, Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
and Charon
Charon (band)
Charon was a Finnish gothic metal band from Raahe, Finland.-Biography:Charon was founded in 1992 by Mario Tepšić, Teemu Hautamäki, Pasi Sipilä, and Jasse Hast and was originally a brutal death metal act. After releasing three promo albums and two demos, all self-released, the band signed a record...
covered the song on their debut album Reborn.
The song was satirised by Sesame Street
Sesame Street
Sesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
with a Muppet version called "Rebel L".
Dope also covered this song. They made a demo version for it in 2003. They played the song live since 2007. Also featuring on No regrets album.
In 2011, Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
has covered the song live during their European leg of Screaming Bloody Murder Tour
Screaming Bloody Murder Tour
The Screaming Bloody Murder Tour is an ongoing concert tour by punk rock band Sum 41, taking place between 2010-2011 and resuming again in 2012, in support of their fifth full-length studio album Screaming Bloody Murder....
.
Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides
Black Veil Brides is an American rock band based out of Hollywood, California. The group is composed of Andrew Biersack , Ashley Purdy , Jake Pitts , Jinxx , and Christian "CC" Coma...
have also covered the song during their 2011 Set the World on Fire
Set the World on Fire (Black Veil Brides album)
-Recording:The album was recorded at the Pulse Recording Studio in Los Angeles, CA over a period of several months, and was roughly finished in the Spring of 2011 under the supervision of Josh Abraham...
Tour.
In popular culture
- It was presented in the Knight Rider Season 3 Episode Dead of Knight originally aired on 2 December 1984.
- It appears in Sixteen CandlesSixteen CandlesSixteen Candles is a 1984 American film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling and Anthony Michael Hall. It was written and directed by John Hughes.- Plot :...
. - It appears in The Legend of Billie JeanThe Legend of Billie JeanThe Legend of Billie Jean is a 1985 American drama film, directed by Matthew Robbins.-Plot:Billie Jean Davy , a Corpus Christi, Texas high school girl, rides with her younger brother, Binx , on a Honda Elite to a local lake to enjoy a day of swimming and relaxation...
. - It appears in The WraithThe WraithThe Wraith is a 1986 action/science fiction film, directed and written by Mike Marvin. The film was later featured in an episode of Cinema Insomnia....
. - It appears in BigBigBig is a 1988 romantic comedy film directed by Penny Marshall and stars Tom Hanks as Josh Baskin, a young boy who makes a wish "to be big" to a magical fortune-telling machine and is then aged to adulthood overnight...
,when Josh and Billy are in their apartment hanging out,the song's music video is playing. - It appears in Coyote UglyCoyote Ugly (film)Coyote Ugly is a 2000 romantic comedy/drama based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, set in New York City. The film stars Piper Perabo and Adam Garcia...
. - It appears in the 1990 Christmas Special episode of Only Fools and HorsesOnly Fools and HorsesOnly Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
,Rodney Come HomeRodney Come Home"Rodney Come Home" is the ninth Christmas special episode of the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses, first screened on 25 December, 1990.Unlike the other Christmas specials, this episode is not a one-off story, but sets up story arcs that run throughout the following series...
,when Rodney walks into the living room and wakes up Uncle Albert because of the song playing loudly on his radio. - It appears in a 2004 Blockbuster commercial promoting no late fees.
- It is referenced in the 2007 Against Me!Against Me!Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
single Thrash UnrealThrash Unreal"Thrash Unreal" is a single by punk group Against Me!. It is the second single from their album New Wave. It was their first single to chart in the United States, hitting #11 on the US Modern Rock Chart, and is their highest charting single. The title of the song was coined by the album's producer,...
,from the album New WaveNew Wave (Against Me! album)New Wave is Against Me!'s fourth full-length studio album and their debut album on Sire Records. Produced by Butch Vig of Nevermind fame, it was released on July 10, 2007. The album debuted at #57 on the Billboard 200 on the week of its release. The album's first single, "White People for Peace",...
. - It appears in a 2008 ComcastComcastComcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
commercial where the family is having an outside reunion and when the man's wife asks him something,the husband responds with the song playing the lyrics "More, More More". - In 2008, Twisted SisterTwisted SisterTwisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
Frontman, Dee SniderDee SniderDaniel "Dee" Snider is an American singer-songwriter, screenwriter, radio personality, and actor. Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister...
's son, Jesse Blaze Snider sang this song in the Reality show, "Rock the Cradle". - It appears in Guitar Hero World TourGuitar Hero World TourGuitar Hero World Tour is a music video game developed by Neversoft and published by RedOctane and Activision. It is the fourth main entry in the Guitar Hero series...
. - It is a downloadable track for Rock Band.
- The CJFL's Victoria RebelsVictoria RebelsThe Westshore Rebels are a Canadian Junior Football team based in Langford, British Columbia. The Rebels play in the six-team B.C. Football Conference, which itself is part of the Canadian Junior Football League and competes annually for the national title known as the Canadian Bowl...
play the song to open their games and after every touchdown.
Scooter cover
In 1996, the song was covered by the German dance band Scooter. It was released as the third single of their second album, Our Happy HardcoreOur Happy Hardcore
Our Happy Hardcore is the second album by German dance group Scooter. The European release date for the album was 28 March 1996.Three singles were released from the album, starting with "Back in the U.K." in November 1995 and "Let Me Be Your Valentine" in February 1996...
.
Track listings
CD-Maxi – Germany- "Rebel Yell" (Radio Edit) (3:40)
- "Rebel Yell" (Extended Mix) (4:44)
- "Euphoria" (3:57)
12"-Maxi – Germany
- "Rebel Yell" (Extended Mix) (4:44)
- "Stuttgart (4:52)
- "Euphoria" (3:57)
CD-Single – France
- "Rebel Yell" (Radio Edit) (3:40)
- "Euphoria" (3:57)
12-Maxi – France
- "Rebel Yell" (Extended Mix) (4:44)
- "Rebel Yell" (Radio Edit) (3:40)
- "Euphoria" (3:57)
CD-Maxi – Australia
- "Rebel Yell" (Radio Edit) (3:40)
- "Let Me Be Your Valentine" (Edit) (3:47)
- "Rebel Yell" (Extended mix) (4:44)
- "Euphoria" (3:57)
- "Let Me Be Your Valentine" (The Complete Work) (5:42)
- "Eternity" (5:19)
- "Silence of T.1210 MKII" (1:31)
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 7 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 8 |
| German Singles Chart | 8 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 42 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 17 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
30 |