Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (The Billy Idol Series – Bonus Edition)

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic

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:

  1. Generation X – ‘Generation X’
  2. Generation X – ‘Valley of the Dolls’
  3. Gen X – ‘Kiss Me Deadly’
  4. Gen X – “Dancing With Myself” 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  5. Generation X – ‘The BBC Transcription Disc Series No. 126 1978’ (Bootleg)
  6. Billy Idol – Don’t Stop E.P.
  7. Billy Idol – Billy Idol
  8. Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
  9. Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  10. Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 12″ Picture Disc (Bonus Edition)
  11. Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  12. Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
  13. Billy Idol – “Sweet Sixteen” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  14. Billy Idol – To Be A Lover – Single Review
  15. Billy Idol – Vital Idol
  16. Billy Idol – “Hot In the City” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  17. Billy Idol – “Mony Mony Live” – 12″ Maxi-Single (Bonus Edition)
  18. Billy Idol – Charmed Life
  19. Billy Idol – “Cradle of Love” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
  20. Billy Idol – Cyberpunk
  21. Billy Idol – “Speed” (song from the Speed Soundtrack)
  22. Generation X – K.M.D. Sweet Revenge
  23. Billy Idol – VH1 Storytellers (Live)
  24. Billy Idol – Devil’s Playground
  25. Billy Idol – Happy Holidays
  26. Billy Idol – The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
  27. Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
  28. Billy Idol – BFI Live (#RSD 2019)
  29. Billy Idol – Revitalized
  30. Generation X – Your Generation (7″ Record Store Day Release)
  31. Generation X – Generation X Deluxe Edition
  32. Billy Idol – Rebel Waltz: Live (Bootleg)
  33. Billy Idol – Rebel Calling: Live (Bootleg)
  34. Generation X – ‘Demos 1977’ (Bootleg)
  35. Billy Idol – The Roadside E.P.
  36. Billy Idol – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First

37 thoughts on “Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (The Billy Idol Series – Bonus Edition)”

  6. Pingback: Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (The Billy Idol Series – Bonus Edition) - My Teens Heath

    1. 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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        1. 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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            1. 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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                1. 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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                  Reply

                    1. 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.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    2. 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.

                      Liked by 1 person

                    3. 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.

                      Liked by 2 people

  9. 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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