Rebel Yell (song)

Last updated

"Rebel Yell"
Rebel Yell.jpg
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Rebel Yell
Released12 January 1984 [1]
2 September 1985 (UK re-issue) [2]
Recorded1983
Studio Studio A, Electric Lady Studios, New York City
Genre
Length
  • 4:47(album version)
  • 3:43 (7" version)
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"White Wedding"
(1982)
"Rebel Yell"
(1984)
"Eyes Without a Face"
(1984)
Audio sample

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Germany (BVMI) [11] Gold300,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [12] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Acoustic version

In 1994 Idol released the single "Speed", a song from the box office hit movie of the same name, with a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell" accompanying the lead song on the UK CD single release.

"Rebel Yell" has been covered by many different bands such as Children of Bodom, HIM, Drowning Pool, Dope, Black Veil Brides, Adrenaline Mob, Bullets and Octane, Otherwise, Blue Stahli, and Queensrÿche.

The song appears in a cassette tape in the videogame Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and can be heard during gameplay. [13]

The music video of "Rebel Yell" appeared in the 1988 film Big starring Tom Hanks.

Live versions

Idol performed the track with Miley Cyrus at the 2016 iHeart Festival. [14]

Scooter cover

"Rebel Yell"
Scooter - Rebel single.jpg
Single by Scooter
from the album Our Happy Hardcore
B-side "Euphoria"
Released9 May 1996 [15]
Recorded1996
Genre Happy hardcore
Length3:40
Label
  • Club Tools
  • Scorpio Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • H. P. Baxxter
  • Rick J. Jordan
  • Jens Thele
  • Ferris Bueller
Scooter singles chronology
"Let Me Be Your Valentine"
(1996)
"Rebel Yell"
(1996)
"I'm Raving"
(1996)
Music video
"Rebel Yell" on YouTube

In 1996, "Rebel Yell" was covered by German dance music band Scooter, released on 9 May by the labels Club Tools and Scorpio Music as the third single of their second album, Our Happy Hardcore (1996). It was a top-10 hit in Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. In the UK, the song reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. The B-side was "Euphoria".

Critical reception

Daniel Booth from Melody Maker wrote, "Scooter subvert the reverence of rock and the pomposity of heavy metal, then shatter them in the blink of a maquillaged eye. This, unless you're asleep at the back, you'll realise is Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell', technofied and amplified into dance oblivion. It is incessant and addictive, exhilarating and infectious, just like those Europopped-up versions of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Wonderwall' and (sodding) 'Zombie'." [16]

Track listings

Charts

See also

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References

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  5. Warren, Craig A. (7 September 2014). The Rebel Yell: A Cultural History. University Alabama Press. p. 141. ISBN   978-0817318482. ... Idol explained that he came to use the title 'Rebel Yell' ... not because of any knowledge of the Confederacy but because of his enthusiasm for Rebel Yell bourbon.
  6. Reesman, Bryan (1 June 2006). "Classic Tracks: Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell"". Mix Magazine. Penton Media, inc. Archived from the original on 20 September 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2007.
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