Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Original and cover: Rebel Rebel

Rebel Rebel is a song by David Bowie from his 1974 album Diamond Dogs, which was written as a farewell to his glam movement, which brought his superstardom. It's the most covered David Bowie song out there, right there with Space Oddity and Changes. This song reached #5 on the UK charts. I love the opening guitar riff, which owes a lot to Keith Richards. It's a dirty sounding song, both lyrically and musically and one of his most famous songs. I love the eyepatch. Here is the original song:

One of my personal favorite cover versions is that from British new wave group Dead or Alive, from their 1995 album,Nukleopatra. They made it more electronic, almost discoish. It's a great version and very fitting to Pete Burns, who looks neither male or female nowadays. "You got your mother in a whirl, she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl". On a side note, this is an amazing album and I have to give it another listen soon. Here is their version.
One last version which is worth mentioning is the one from Iggy Pop and Lenny Kravitz on the VH1 Fashion Awards in 1998. This one is particularly cool because it was an obvious tribute from Iggy Pop to Bowie. This version is similar to the original in form and style. Both Iggy and Lenny are obvious Bowie fans and you could see the affection and love they had for this song. I love the energy in this. Here it is:
One last version of this song I love is from Seu Jorge, who does a Portuguese version of Rebel Rebel, which was on the soundtrack to the Life Aquatic. One of the best soundtracks and he does a sweet version of this song. I know no Portuguese, but I could feel the meaning behind the words. The soundtrack is full of Seu Jorge doing Portuguese versions of Bowie songs. Check it out, it's nice and soothing.
Rebel Rebel is such a simple song, covered by many people. Other covers include Joan Jett, Smashing Pumpkins and Duran Duran doing live versions of it. Artists as diverse as Def Leppard, Bryan Adams and even the Bay City Rollers have covered this song. I happen to like all of them, but only Dead Or Alive have done the most unique cover of Rebel Rebel, in my opinion. Here are the lyrics:

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Youve got your mother in a whirl
Shes not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Hey babe, your hairs alright
Hey babe, lets 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
They put you down, they say Im wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel rebel, youve 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?
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Youve got your mother in a whirl cause shes
Not sure if you're a boy or a girl
Hey babe, your hairs alright
Hey babe, lets 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
They put you down, they say Im wrong
You tacky thing, you put them on

Rebel rebel, youve 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?
Oh?

Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo

Rebel rebel, youve torn your dress
Rebel rebel, your face is a mess
Rebel rebel, how could they know?
Hot tramp, I love you so!

Youve torn your dress, your face is a mess
You can't get enough, but enough aint the test
Youve 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
Youre 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
Calamitys child, chi-chile, chi-chile
Whered you wanna go?
What can I do for you? looks like youve been there too
Cause youve torn your dress
And your face is a mess
Oh, your face is a mess
Oh, oh, so how could they know?
Eh, eh, how could they know?
Eh, eh

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