Rebel Rebel

Last updated

"Rebel Rebel"
Rebel Rebel by David Bowie UK vinyl pressing.png
Side A of the mid-1970s UK vinyl pressing
Single by David Bowie
from the album Diamond Dogs
B-side "Queen Bitch"
Released15 February 1974 (1974-02-15) (UK)
RecordedDecember 1973 – January 1974
Studio
Genre
Length4:20 (UK single)
Label RCA
Songwriter(s) David Bowie
Producer(s) David Bowie
David Bowie singles chronology
"Sorrow"
(1973)		"Rebel Rebel"
(1974)		"Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"
(1974)

"Rebel Rebel" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was released in the UK on 15 February 1974 by RCA Records as the lead single from the album Diamond Dogs . Written and produced by Bowie, the song is based around a distinctive guitar riff reminiscent of the Rolling Stones. Cited as his most-covered track, "Rebel Rebel" has been described as Bowie's farewell to the glam rock movement [3] that he had helped initiate, as well as being a proto-punk track. [2] Two versions of the song were recorded: the well-known UK single release and the shorter US single release, which featured added background vocals, extra percussion and a new arrangement.

Contents

Upon its release, the song was a commercial success, peaking at number five on the UK Singles Chart and number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song received critical acclaim for its central guitar riff and strength as a glam anthem. Several publications consider it to be one of Bowie's greatest songs. It was performed live by Bowie during many of his concert tours and since appeared on many compilation albums. It was remastered in 2016 as part of the Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) box set.

Background

Originally planned in late 1973 as part of an aborted Ziggy Stardust musical, [4] "Rebel Rebel" was Bowie's last single in his signature glam rock style. [5] [6] It was also his first hit since 1969 not to feature lead guitarist Mick Ronson; Bowie played guitar himself on this and almost all the other tracks on Diamond Dogs , producing what NME critics Roy Carr and Charles Shaar Murray called "a rocking dirty noise that owed as much to Keith Richards as it did to the departed Ronno". [7] Singer-songwriter Jayne County, who was a cast member of Pork and among Bowie's entourage for two years, maintains that her 1973 song "Queenage Baby", which included the lyric "can't tell whether she's a boy or a girl", was an influence for "Rebel Rebel". [8] [9]

Recording and composition

Recording for "Rebel Rebel" began at a solo session at Trident Studios in London in the week after Christmas 1973. It was Bowie's last known visit to Trident, his principal recording studio since 1968. [9] The recording was completed in January 1974 at Ludolph Studios in Nederhorst den Berg, Netherlands. [5] [10] [11] In the studio, Bowie informed bassist Herbie Flowers and guest guitarist Alan Parker that he wanted it to "sound like the Stones", before he picked up Parker's black Les Paul and played it to them. Parker then completed it, before the rest of the backing track was recorded. [12]

According to biographer Marc Spitz, the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" revisit familiar Bowie territory, featuring "a 'hot' young 'tramp' worrying his or her parents with his or her sexy nihilism", are reflected by the line "You got a few lines and a handful of 'ludes'." [13] Even though the world is ending, the "Rebel" doesn't care, suggesting "we like dancing and we look divine." [13] It also features gender-bending lyrics ("You got your mother in a whirl / She's not sure if you're a boy or a girl"). According to author Peter Doggett, in the context of Diamond Dogs, the song serves as a "musical continuation" between the "Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)" medley: it begins with a D to E chord change that was prefigured with a bass guitar slide that constructed the medley's final "chaotic" moments. [14]

The song's distinctive guitar riff is described by rock journalist Kris Needs as "a classic stick-in-the-head like the Stones' 'Satisfaction'". [15] The riff's chords are D, E, and A and were created by Bowie and enhanced by Parker, who, according to Doggett, added the "downward trail" at the end of each line. [14] Paul Trynka writes that Parker added "a particular chord shape rather than the original single note just before the chord change and a distinctive 'beeeoonng' in the last line of the chorus just as [Bowie] sings 'I love you so'." [12] Bowie later said, "It's a fabulous riff! Just fabulous! When I stumbled onto it, it was 'Oh, thank you!'" [9] Parker later said Bowie came up with the Stones-like riff to "piss off" Mick Jagger. [16] Parker was upset upon learning he was uncredited on the final version. He stated: "I can tell my own playing, and my own sound, and I know it's me." Flowers further recalled: "David played the riff to Alan, Alan made sure it was good enough to record, then [Alan] played it." [12] Although O'Leary compliments the riff, he notes that with Ronson's absence, it gets "run into the ground"; throughout the song's over four-minute runtime, the riff is solely absent in the two bridges and the "hot tramp" lines. [17]

Release

"Rebel Rebel" was released on 15 February 1974 in the UK by RCA Records (as LPB05009) as the lead single of Diamond Dogs with the Hunky Dory song "Queen Bitch" as the B-side. [18] The B-side, according to Spitz, was selected by RCA to provide the label with some "much needed fiscal plasma". [19] The single quickly became a glam anthem, the female equivalent of Bowie's earlier hit for Mott the Hoople, "All the Young Dudes". [7] It reached number five on the UK Singles Chart and number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [20] [21]

The original UK single version had a slightly different mix than the album version; the album mix was the only mix to appear on compilation albums, [9] until the single mix appeared on Re:Call 2, as part of the 2016 box set Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) . [22] [23] The UK single mix was again remastered in 2019 and released on digital media streaming services. [24]

US single

"Rebel Rebel" was released as a single with a different mix in the US and Mexico in May 1974, with "Lady Grinning Soul" as the B-side. [25] According to Doggett, Bowie was not satisfied with creating an enduring "dance-floor anthem", [26] so he recorded a new mix in New York in April 1974, [27] which Doggett calls a "Latin dub mix" that was over two decades ahead of its time. [26] The US mix is shorter (2:58) and more uptempo, dense and camp than the UK single, featuring "sine waves" of percussion [26] by Geoff MacCormack, an original backing vocal line that is preceded by a "rush of backward echo", acoustic guitar and a new arrangement that buries the signature riff beneath phasing. [26] According to Pegg, the US mix begins at the first "hot tramp" lyric at the 1:20 mark in the original UK mix. [9] Within a couple of months, it was withdrawn and replaced by the UK single version, but the same arrangement was used on Bowie's Diamond Dogs Tour, appearing on its live album David Live (1974).

Reception

The song has received critical acclaim for its guitar riff and strength as a glam anthem, being described as a fitting farewell to Bowie's glam era. Marc Spitz praised the song in the biography Bowie: A Biography , calling the riff "magnificent" and Bowie's "last great glitter anthem". [28] He also described the song as Bowie's most "pure and lasting rocker" when mentioning the artist's early 2000s re-recorded version for his 2003 album Reality . [28] Cash Box said that this was "Bowie's best single ever," describing it as a "strong rocker with incredible hooks throughout." [29] Record World said that Bowie "integrates the aura of the American disco-right on down to castinets into his multi-sensual sound." [30] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic, in his review of Diamond Dogs, called the song "tight" and "sexy" and one of Bowie's best, although he felt the song did not contribute to the overall theme of the album. [31] Dave Thompson, also of AllMusic, described "Rebel Rebel" as one of Bowie's most "playful" numbers and considered it a fitting farewell to the artist's glam rock era and, in a way, to "the entire glam movement which Bowie created", as well as indicating the direction his career was taking. [32] Barry Walters of Pitchfork, in a review of Diamond Dogs following Bowie's death, praised the song's "glorious" guitar riff, its "stomping beat", the "hot tramp" lyric pause between both and their "return". [33] Walters continued, "If Bowie often drifted above listeners' heads, here he shoots straight at their solar plexus and scores with what ranks among the greatest, most insistent riffs of the '70s. Rockers who'd dismissed Bowie as a dandy now gave the dude a pass." [33] Journalist C. M. Crockford of punknews.org called "Rebel Rebel"'s guitar riff the best Bowie ever wrote, and a fitting end to his glam rock era. [34]

Following Bowie's death in 2016, Rolling Stone listed "Rebel Rebel" as one of his 30 essential songs. [35] Spencer Kaufman of Ultimate Classic Rock ranked the song at number seven on his list of Bowie's 10 greatest songs, praising its guitar riff – "one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history" – and as a glam rock anthem, writing, "the tune serves as the perfect bridge between the Rolling Stones and punk rock." [36] In 2018, the writers of NME listed "Rebel Rebel" as Bowie's fifth greatest song. They praised the "heaven-sent" riff and also believed it to be reminiscent of the Rolling Stones. [37] Jon Savage of The Guardian, in his list of the 20 best glam-rock songs of all time, ranked the US version of the single at number 18. [1]

Live performances

Bowie performing "Rebel Rebel" on AVRO's TopPop in 1974. The song introduced what author Nicholas Pegg called Bowie's short-lived "pirate image". David Bowie - TopPop 1974 06.png
Bowie performing "Rebel Rebel" on AVRO's TopPop in 1974. The song introduced what author Nicholas Pegg called Bowie's short-lived "pirate image".

On 14 February 1974, Bowie recorded a lip synced performance of "Rebel Rebel" at Hilversum's Avro Studio 2 for the Dutch television programme Top Pop. Broadcast two days later, it featured Bowie superimposed over flashing disco lights "by the miracle of chromakey" and donning what Pegg called his short-lived "pirate image" – a spotted neckerchief and a black eye-patch. Bowie later recalled: [9]

I had conjunctivitis, so I made the most of it and dressed like a pirate. Just stopped short of the parrot! I had this most incredible jacket that I was wearing that night. It was a bottle-green bolero jacket that Freddi [Burretti] made for me and he got an artist to paint, using the appliqué technique, this supergirl from a Russian comic on the back. Anyway, I did a press conference and performed 'Rebel Rebel' on Dutch television with a bright red Fender Stratocaster. But I took the jacket off during the press conference and somebody stole it. I was really pissed off.

Following the performance, the pirate look, along with the Ziggy Stardust hairstyle, was ditched in favour of the "swept-back parting and double-breasted suits" of the Diamond Dogs Tour. The Top Pop clip later became the song's semi-official video. [9]

The song was a standard of Bowie's concerts from the Diamond Dogs Tour to the Sound+Vision Tour. For his performance at Live Aid in 1985, Bowie performed a saxophone-heavy version. [9] After retiring the song on his Sound+Vision Tour in 1990, Bowie restored "Rebel Rebel" for the "Hours..." Tour. In early 2003, he recorded a new version, featuring an arrangement by Mark Plati without the original's reference to quaaludes. This was issued on a bonus disc that came with some versions of Reality the same year and on the 30th Anniversary Edition of Diamond Dogs in 2004. In 2004 the track was blended in a mash-up with the Reality song "Never Get Old"; the result was issued as the single "Rebel Never Gets Old". [38]

"We love David Bowie", commented Jane's Addiction front-man Perry Farrell in 2001. "Given the length of his career, I'm stunned that he still pushes things musically. But, please, please, David, can you sing 'Rebel Rebel' still?" [39]

Live versions of the song by Bowie have been released on David Live, [40] A Reality Tour (recorded 2003), [41] Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) , [42] Live Nassau Coliseum '76 , [43] Welcome to the Blackout (Live London '78) , [44] Glastonbury 2000 , [45] Serious Moonlight (Live '83) and Glass Spider (Live Montreal '87) , which were both part of the box set Loving the Alien (1983–1988) , [46] and I'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74) . [47]

Legacy

"Rebel Rebel" has appeared on several compilation albums, the first being ChangesoneBowie in 1976. [48] It was also remastered in 2016, along with the entire Diamond Dogs album, as part of the Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) box set. [23] The rare US single version was included on Sound + Vision , the bonus disc of the 30th Anniversary Edition of Diamond Dogs, and Re:Call 2. The song's original UK single mix appeared on Re:Call 2; however, it was sourced not from the original analog tape, but rather from a pristine 7-inch single, as the tape was thought to be lost. [22] The original single mix was released again on 24 May 2019 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Diamond Dogs album, this time sourced from the original tape, which had been recovered since the release of Who Can I Be Now? [22]

The track is cited by Nicholas Pegg as Bowie's most-covered track. [9] A cover version by Dead or Alive was released as a single in 1994, under the name International Crysis, and peaked at number 76 on the UK Singles Chart. [49] American country music singer Chris Young sampled the song's guitar riff for his 2023 song "Young Love & Saturday Nights". [50]

Track listing

All songs written by David Bowie. [18]

  1. "Rebel Rebel" – 4:20
  2. "Queen Bitch" – 3:13

The U.S. version of the single, also released in Canada and Mexico, had "Lady Grinning Soul" as the B-side. [25]

Personnel

According to Kevin Cann: [51]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<i>The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars</i> 1972 studio album by David Bowie

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is the fifth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 16 June 1972 in the United Kingdom through RCA Records. It was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and features Bowie's backing band the Spiders from Mars — the guitarist Mick Ronson, the bassist Trevor Bolder and the drummer Mick Woodmansey. It was recorded from November 1971 to February 1972 at Trident Studios in London.

<i>Aladdin Sane</i> 1973 studio album by David Bowie

Aladdin Sane is the sixth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released in the United Kingdom on 19 April 1973 through RCA Records. The follow-up to his breakthrough The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, it was the first album he wrote and released from a position of stardom. It was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott and features contributions from Bowie's backing band the Spiders from Mars — Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey — with the pianist Mike Garson, two saxophonists and three backing vocalists. Recorded in London and New York City between legs of the Ziggy Stardust Tour, the record was Bowie's final album with the full Spiders lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life on Mars (song)</span> 1971 song by David Bowie

"Life on Mars?" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie, first released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory. Bowie wrote the song as a parody of Frank Sinatra's "My Way". "Life on Mars?" was recorded on 6 August 1971 at Trident Studios in London, and was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott. Bowie's backing band consisted of guitarist and string arranger Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, drummer Mick Woodmansey and Strawbs member Rick Wakeman on piano. "Life on Mars?" is primarily a glam rock ballad, with elements of cabaret and art rock; it has a complex structure that includes chord changes throughout. The lyrics are about a girl who goes to a cinema to escape reality, and include surreal images that reflect optimism and the effects of Hollywood.

<i>Diamond Dogs</i> 1974 studio album by David Bowie

Diamond Dogs is the eighth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 24 May 1974 through RCA Records. Bowie produced the album and recorded it in early 1974 in London and the Netherlands, following the disbanding of his backing band the Spiders from Mars and the departure of producer Ken Scott. Bowie played lead guitar on the record in the absence of Mick Ronson. Diamond Dogs featured the return of Tony Visconti, who had not worked with Bowie for four years; the two would collaborate for the rest of the decade. Musically, it was Bowie's final album in the glam rock genre, though some songs were influenced by funk and soul music, which Bowie embraced on his next album, Young Americans (1975).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suffragette City</span> 1972 song by David Bowie

"Suffragette City" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was originally released in April 1972 as the B-side of the single "Starman" and subsequently appeared on his fifth studio album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972). The song was later reissued as a single in 1976, with the US single edit of "Stay" as the B-side, to promote the compilation album Changesonebowie in the UK. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, it was recorded by Bowie at Trident Studios in London with his backing band the Spiders from Mars, consisting of Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey, at a late stage of the album's sessions. The song was originally offered to English band Mott the Hoople, who declined it and recorded Bowie's "All the Young Dudes" instead. It is a glam rock song that is influenced by the music of Little Richard and the Velvet Underground. The lyrics include a reference to Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange and the lyric "Oooohh wham bam, thank you, ma'am".

<i>The Man Who Sold the World</i> (album) 1970 studio album by David Bowie

The Man Who Sold the World is the third studio album by the English musician David Bowie, originally released through Mercury Records in the United States on 4 November 1970 and in the United Kingdom on 10 April 1971. Produced by Tony Visconti and recorded in London from April to May 1970, the album features the first appearances on a Bowie record of future Spiders from Mars members Mick Ronson and Mick Woodmansey.

<i>Young Americans</i> 1975 studio album by David Bowie

Young Americans is the ninth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 7 March 1975 through RCA Records. A departure from the glam rock style of previous albums, the record showcased Bowie's interest in soul and R&B. Music critics have described the sound as blue-eyed soul; Bowie himself labelled the album's sound "plastic soul".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Dogs (song)</span> 1974 single by David Bowie

"Diamond Dogs" is a 1974 single by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, the title track of the album of the same name.

"The Man Who Sold the World" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. The title track of Bowie's third studio album, it was released in November 1970 in the US and in April 1971 in the UK by Mercury Records. Produced by Tony Visconti, it was recorded at Trident and Advision Studios in London in May 1970, towards the end of the album's sessions; Bowie recorded his vocal on the final day of mixing for the album, reflecting his generally dismissive attitude during the sessions. Musically, it is based around a "circular" guitar riff from Mick Ronson. Its lyrics are cryptic and evocative, being inspired by numerous poems including the 1899 "Antigonish" by William Hughes Mearns. Bowie's vocals are heavily "phased" throughout and have been described as "haunting".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Years (David Bowie song)</span> 1975 song by David Bowie

"Golden Years" is a song by the English musician David Bowie, released by RCA Records on 21 November 1975 as the lead single from his tenth studio album Station to Station (1976). Partially written before Bowie began shooting for the film The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), the song was mostly compiled in the studio and was the first track completed for the album. Co-produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin, recording took place at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles during September 1975. Due to Bowie's heavy cocaine use, he later recalled remembering almost nothing of Station to Station's production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fame (David Bowie song)</span> 1975 single by David Bowie

"Fame" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was released on his 1975 album Young Americans and was later issued as the album's second single by RCA Records in June 1975. Written by Bowie, Carlos Alomar and John Lennon, it was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975. It is a funk rock song that represents Bowie's dissatisfaction with the troubles of fame and stardom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Changes (David Bowie song)</span> 1971 song by David Bowie

"Changes" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie from his 1971 album Hunky Dory. RCA Records then released it as a single from the album on 7 January 1972. Written following his promotional tour of America in early 1971, "Changes" was recorded at Trident Studios in London between June and July that year. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, it featured Rick Wakeman on piano and the musicians who would later become known as the Spiders from Mars—Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVC 15</span> 1976 song by David Bowie

"TVC 15" is a song by the English musician David Bowie, released on his 1976 album Station to Station. RCA Records later released it as the second single from the album on 30 April 1976. The song was recorded in late 1975 at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles. Co-produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin, the recording featured guitarists Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick, bassist George Murray, drummer Dennis Davis, pianist Roy Bittan and Warren Peace on backing vocals. The upbeat song is mostly art rock performed in a style reminiscent of the 1950s. Lyrically, the song concerns a character's girlfriend being eaten by a television set. It was inspired by a dream of Iggy Pop's and Bowie's role in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976). Some lyrics are also influenced by the Yardbirds and Kraftwerk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Bitch</span> 1971 song by David Bowie

"Queen Bitch" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was originally released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory before appearing as the B-side of the single "Rebel Rebel" in the United Kingdom in early 1974. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, the lineup consisted of the musicians who would later become known as the Spiders from Mars: Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moonage Daydream</span> 1972 song by David Bowie

"Moonage Daydream" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was originally recorded in February 1971 at Radio Luxembourg's studios in London and released as a single by his short-lived band Arnold Corns in May 1971 on B&C Records. Bowie subsequently re-recorded the song later that year with his backing band the Spiders from Mars—Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey—for release on his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. The re-recording was co-produced by Ken Scott and recorded at Trident Studios in London in November 1971. The re-recording is a glam rock song that uses melodic and harmonic hooks, as well as percussion and guitar influenced by heavy metal. On the album, the song directly introduces the character Ziggy Stardust, who describes himself as a bisexual alien rock superstar who will save the Earth from the impending disaster described in the opening track "Five Years". It features saxophone played by Bowie and a guitar solo and string arrangement by Ronson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ziggy Stardust (song)</span> 1972 song by David Bowie

"Ziggy Stardust" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie from his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, he recorded it at Trident Studios in London in November 1971 with his backing band the Spiders from Mars—comprising Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey. Lyrically, the song is about Ziggy Stardust, a bisexual alien rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings. The character was influenced by English singer Vince Taylor, as well as the Legendary Stardust Cowboy and Kansai Yamamoto. Although Ziggy is introduced earlier on the album, this song is its centrepiece, presenting the rise and fall of the star in a very human-like manner. Musically, it is a glam rock song, like its parent album, and is based around a Ronson guitar riff.

"Cracked Actor" is a song by the English musician David Bowie, released on his sixth studio album Aladdin Sane (1973). The track was also issued as a single in Eastern Europe by RCA Records in June that year. The song was written during Bowie's stay in Los Angeles during the American leg of the Ziggy Stardust Tour in October 1972. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, it was recorded in January 1973 at Trident Studios in London with his backing band the Spiders from Mars – comprising Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey. A hard rock song primarily led by guitar, the song describes an aging Hollywood star's encounter with a prostitute, featuring many allusions to sex and drugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (David Bowie song)</span> 1976 song by David Bowie

"Stay" is a song by the English musician David Bowie, released on his 1976 album Station to Station. The song was recorded in late 1975 at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles. Co-produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin, the recording featured guitarists Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick, bassist George Murray, drummer Dennis Davis, pianist Roy Bittan and Warren Peace on percussion. The track features prominent dual guitar work from Slick and Alomar, who mostly composed it in the studio. Based on the chord structure of "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)", a funk reworking of "John, I'm Only Dancing" (1972), "Stay" emulates funk rock, soul and hard rock. The song's lyrics are abstract and relate to love.

"Soul Love" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie from his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, it features Bowie's backing band known as the Spiders from Mars – Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey. It was recorded on 12 November 1971 at Trident Studios in London and features a saxophone solo from Bowie and a guitar solo from Ronson. Lyrically, the song is about numerous characters dealing with love before the impending disaster that will destroy Earth as described in the album's opening track "Five Years". Like most tracks on the album, the song was rewritten to fit the Ziggy Stardust narrative.

References

  1. 1 2 Savage, Jon (1 February 2013). "The 20 best glam-rock songs of all time". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 Greene, Lora (2012). Combat Rock: A History of Punk (From Its Origins to the Present). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN   978-1478305637. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  3. ↑ Trynka 2011, p. 246.
  4. ↑ Buckley 1999, p. 140.
  5. 1 2 Mat Snow (2007). "Hang on to Yourself", MOJO 60 Years of Bowie: p.51
  6. ↑ Buckley 1999, pp. 210–217.
  7. 1 2 Carr & Murray 1981, p. 60.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Dave. "Wayne County at the Trucks! – Jayne County". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pegg 2016, pp. 221–223.
  10. ↑ Pek, Norbert (3 October 2013). "Aardappels voor David Bowie" [Potatoes for David Bowie]. www.perfects.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  11. ↑ O'Leary 2015, p. 330.
  12. 1 2 3 Trynka 2011, pp. 245–246.
  13. 1 2 Spitz 2009, p. 232.
  14. 1 2 Doggett 2012, p. 238.
  15. ↑ Kris Needs (1983). Bowie: A Celebration: p.29
  16. ↑ "David Bowie wrote 'Rebel Rebel' "to piss Mick Jagger off"". Uncut . 26 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  17. ↑ O'Leary 2015, p. 299.
  18. 1 2 "Rebel Rebel" (Single liner notes). David Bowie. UK: RCA Records. 1974. LPB05009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ↑ Spitz 2009, p. 231.
  20. 1 2 "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 23 February 1974. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  21. 1 2 ""Rebel Rebel" Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  22. 1 2 3 "Dogs 45th red vinyl and original Rebel digital out now". David Bowie. 24 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  23. 1 2 Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976) (Box set booklet). David Bowie. UK, Europe & US: Parlophone. 2016. 0190295989842.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ↑ "Rebel Rebel (Original Single Mix) [2019 Remaster]" (Digital media notes). David Bowie. US: Parlophone. 2019. none.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. 1 2 "Rebel Rebel 45 is forty five today". David Bowie Official Website. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Doggett 2012, p. 239.
  27. ↑ Pegg 2016, p. 222.
  28. 1 2 Spitz 2009, p. 390.
  29. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 18 May 1974. p. 20. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  30. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 18 May 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  31. ↑ Erelwine, Stephen Thomas. "Diamond Dogs – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  32. ↑ Thompson, Dave. ""Rebel Rebel" – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  33. 1 2 Walters, Barry (22 January 2016). "David Bowie: Diamond Dogs Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  34. ↑ Crockford, C. M. (12 January 2015). "David Bowie – Diamond Dogs". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  35. ↑ "David Bowie: 30 Essential Songs". Rolling Stone . 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  36. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (11 January 2016). "Top 10 David Bowie Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock . Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  37. ↑ Barker, Emily (8 January 2018). "David Bowie's 40 greatest songs – as decided by NME and friends". NME . Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  38. ↑ Pegg 2016, pp. 220–221.
  39. ↑ Ingham, Chris (August 2001). "Breaking the habit". Classic Rock . No. 30. p. 62.
  40. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "David Live – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  41. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "A Reality Tour – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  42. ↑ Randle, Chris (29 June 2017). "David Bowie: Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74) Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "Live Nassau Coliseum '76 – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  44. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Welcome to the Blackout (Live London '78) – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  45. ↑ Collins, Sean T. (5 December 2018). "David Bowie: Glastonbury 2000 Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  46. ↑ Loving the Alien (1983–1988) (Box set booklet). David Bowie. UK, Europe & US: Parlophone. 2018. 0190295693534.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ↑ "I'm Only Dancing for Record Store Day 2020". David Bowie Official Website. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  48. ↑ Thompson, Dave. "ChangesOneBowie – David Bowie". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  49. 1 2 "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 25 June 1994. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  50. ↑ Browne, David (31 July 2023). "David Bowie 'Co-Wrote' a New Country Song. Wait, What?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  51. ↑ Cann 2010, p. 322.
  52. ↑ "5KA The Chart - 26 April, 1974".
  53. ↑ "David Bowie – Rebel Rebel" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  54. ↑ "RPM Top Singles" (PDF). RPM . Vol. 21, no. 23. 27 July 1974. p. 9 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  55. ↑ "Danske Hitlister". Danskehitlister.dk. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016.
  56. ↑ "David+Bowie Discografie David Bowie". Dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  57. ↑ Finnish Singles Chart 1974 (PDF).
  58. ↑ "French Singles Chart 21 April, 1974".
  59. ↑ "Chartverfolgung / Bowie, David / Single". Musicline.de (in German). Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  60. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Rebel Rebel". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – David Bowie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  62. ↑ "David Bowie – Rebel Rebel". VG-lista. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  63. ↑ "David Bowie Chart History". Billboard . Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  64. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, July 20, 1974". Archived from the original on 4 February 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  65. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 2, 2016" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  66. ↑ "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  67. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 137.
  68. ↑ "Italian single certifications – David Bowie – Rebel Rebel" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 8 January 2021. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Rebel Rebel" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  69. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – David Bowie – Rebel Rebel". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  70. ↑ "British single certifications – David Bowie – Rebel Rebel". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 24 September 2023.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.