Billy Idol - Rebel Yell

"Rebel Yell" is a song by English rock musician Billy Idol. The title track of his 1983 album of the same name, it was first released as the album's lead single on 24 October 1983. It charted outside the UK Top 40, but a re-issue of the single in 1985 reached No. 6. In the US, it peaked at No. 46. The song was named the 79th best hard rock song of all time by VH1 based on a public voting in 2009, although the song did not show up in a revised list from 2013.

At a televised performance of VH1 Storytellers, Idol said that he had attended an event where Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones were taking swigs from a bottle of "Rebel Yell" bourbon whiskey. He was not familiar with the brand, but he liked the name and decided to write the 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.

Lyrics

Last night a little dancer came dancin' to my door

Last night a little angel came pumping on the floor

She said "Come on baby I got a license for love

And if it expires pray help from above"

Because

In the midnight hour she cried - "more, more, more"

With a rebel yell she cried - "more, more, more"

In the midnight hour babe - "more, more, more"

With a rebel yell - "more, more, more"

More, more, more

She don't like slavery, she won't sit and beg

But when I'm tired and lonely she sees me to bed

What set you free and brought you to me babe

What set you free I need you here by me

Because

In the midnight hour she cried - "more, more, more"

With a rebel yell she cried - "more, more, more"

In the midnight hour babe - "more, more, more"

With a rebel yell - "more, more, more"

He lives in his own heaven

Collects it to go from the seven eleven

Well he's out all night to collect a fare

Just so long, just so long it don't mess up his hair

I walked the world with you, babe

A thousand miles with you

I dried your tears of pain, babe

A million times for you

I'd sell my soul for you babe

For money to burn with you

I'd give you all, and have none, babe

Just to, just to, just to, to have you here by me

Because

In the midnight hour she cried - "more, more, more"

With a rebel yell she cried - "more, more, more"

In the midnight hour babe - "more, more, more"

With a rebel yell she cried "more, more, more"

More, more, more

Oh yeah little baby

She want more

More, more, more, more, more

Oh yeah little angel

She want more

More, more, more, more