In my quest for great picture sleeve singles, here is yet another great one I found at Mad Jack’s in Matthews, NC. This time around it is Billy Idol’s single for “Rebel Yell” and yes, I am surprised I didn’t already have this one, but I didn’t. It was released on October 24, 1983 and the song was a smash for Billy Idol and Steve Steven especially on MTV. On the radio, it didn’t even break the Top 40 reaching only #46. It did go to #9 on the Rock Charts, but MTV is where it was in constant rotation and helped make Billy a star. He was made for MTV.

“Rebel Yell” was written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens and was actually inspired by the Rolling Stones according to Billy on VH1 Storytellers. Billy was at a party thrown by the Stones and everyone was drinking Rebel Yell Bourbon Whiskey. I guess he loved that whiskey (along with a lot of drugs at the time). He took the name and turned it in to a rocking track.
My copy is a standard U.S. Release and nothing special. You can pick it up cheap if you find it. The B-Side is “Crank Call” also from the album ‘Rebel Yell’.
A-SIDE:

It is a scorcher of a song, high energy and attitude. The opening of the song is all done with the guitar even though it sounds like both a guitar and a keyboard. Steve is showing off right out of the gate. Vocally, Billy is on fire and you can see his lip curling up while he is singing which is amazing as I am listening to it on vinyl and not watching the video. It is a fist pumping, rock anthem that will get the crowding going nuts in a live setting.
B-SIDE:

“Crank Call” was written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens and is one of those deep cuts that make you more than a fan if you dig it. It is a great rocker with some nice guitar work from Stevens and lots of Idol attitude. Lyrically, I don’t really know what the hell he is talking about, but I don’t care. I dig the song regardless. Mainly for the heavy guitar on it. It does have some synths, but Steve’s guitars are more the star as usual.
Now, if you want to check out the full reviews and the entire Billy Idol Series, click on any and all of the links below…
THE BILLY IDOL SERIES:
- Generation X – ‘Generation X’
- Generation X – ‘Valley of the Dolls’
- Gen X – ‘Kiss Me Deadly’
- Gen X – “Dancing With Myself” 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Generation X – ‘The BBC Transcription Disc Series No. 126 1978’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Don’t Stop E.P.
- Billy Idol – Billy Idol
- Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
- Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 12″ Picture Disc (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
- Billy Idol – “Sweet Sixteen” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – To Be A Lover – Single Review
- Billy Idol – Vital Idol
- Billy Idol – “Hot In the City” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Mony Mony Live” – 12″ Maxi-Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Charmed Life
- Billy Idol – “Cradle of Love” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Cyberpunk
- Billy Idol – “Speed” (song from the Speed Soundtrack)
- Generation X – K.M.D. Sweet Revenge
- Billy Idol – VH1 Storytellers (Live)
- Billy Idol – Devil’s Playground
- Billy Idol – Happy Holidays
- Billy Idol – The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
- Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
- Billy Idol – BFI Live (#RSD 2019)
- Billy Idol – Revitalized
- Generation X – Your Generation (7″ Record Store Day Release)
- Generation X – Generation X Deluxe Edition
- Billy Idol – Rebel Waltz: Live (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Rebel Calling: Live (Bootleg)
- Generation X – ‘Demos 1977’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – The Roadside E.P.
- Billy Idol – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First
Here goes: Billy!!
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I could hear that from here!
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Rebel Yell is a masterpiece, maybe my favorite song of his. I haven’t played the album in ages and don’t recall the b-side, pretty cool song.
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That album is still great to me. When I did the review series a few years back, I still really liked that one.
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Killa album and song. Billy rulez!
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Yeah he does!!
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Have you seen the film Eyes Without a Face that the song is based on, Dick Dreyfuss?
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I have not. And don’t call me Dick!! I hate that !! LOL!
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Noted, Richard!
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It’s an interesting film. Some great cinematography.
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Is Crank Call about making prank phone calls? I sure hope so. Please try to analyze the lyrics for me 🙂
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Maybe later….too busy right now!! LOL!!
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I’ll crank call you if you don’t stop being so busy!
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I wish I could…but it pays for everything.
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I had Rebel Yell on cassette as a kid. Oh yes.
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Great album. He was really on fire at that time. It was his peak…although I will say, his last E.P. and studio album were sensational.
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Was that the one I got? Yeah, my two faves were Rebel Yell and the Gen X.
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I love my Gen X albums too. Who am I kidding…I like all of Billy’s stuff. I’m a sucker for his sound.
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That’s not a bad place to be. \m/ \m/
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And you know what, he still looks the same!
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He does indeed, I couldn’t believe it when I saw the poster for his Roadside tour! He is coming to a small venue here in Budapest, just a few streets away from me. I might catch it, it would be some comfort for having to miss out on Priest, Maiden, Kiss, Whitesnake and the Scorps this summer… Aarghhh…
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How come you have to miss Priest, Maiden, Kiss, Whitesnake, and Scorpions? I know Whitesnake canceled their tour with Scorpions in the US.
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Horrible ticket prices in my country is the main reason. I was all about giving my son a basic education in the values of old school metal, but it was either the Scorps or a new bike, LOL. Coverdale has canceled here too, btw.
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Ah expensive ticket prices. Sorry to hear that! Ticket prices are not what they used to be. Oh Coverdale cancelled there too? His health must be in really bad shape then.
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Yeah, those damn prices! Whitesnake was actually the only affordable of the bunch, sadly he cited health reasons for the cancellation. Let’s hope he gets better soon.
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Shucks, Whitesnake would’ve been so cool to see live. He’s always dealt with health problems sadly. Yes, let’s hope he feels better soon!
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Amen to that! I had no idea about his issues as he always looked so healthy, but then again, I always have the image of the ‘1987’ era Coverdale in my mind
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I thought I read that Coverdale was experience health problems/vocal issues during the 1987 era too.
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Sad to hear that, he certainly didn’t look or sound like it back then! As for now, it is probably for the better that he canceled, as it would have been disheartening to see one of my childhood idols giving a subpar performance. Speaking of Idol, I wasn’t that much of a fan of Billy back then, so I am not that afraid to be disappointed.
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Yeah, he must’ve hid it well because I never knew about his health problems back then until a year ago. Yeah, that would’ve been a sad memory seeing one of your idols fall apart on stage. Whitesnake might even be done soon, who knows! Billy Idol never caught my eye either to be honest.
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Dang, I totally forgot that the whole drama around the ‘1987’ album was about his health issues, I must be getting old. ‘Snake is definitely a band that stands and falls with its lead singer, whatever John Sykes was smoking, LOL.
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Well Coverdale is the boss (and the only member that’s been there the whole time). Sykes is a whole different story lol.
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That he does.
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You always find this stuff which amazes me as it takes me back to high school lol….Crazy to see where Rebel Yell the song charted yet its still played all the time now which is really crazy lol but in a good way
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It is a classic song for sure. Chart position doesn’t necessarily indicate a good song that will last forever.
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Great point and so true….
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I guess in the midnight hour ….
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