Lyrical Analysis
The lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" symbolize two of the three major core themes of the Glam Rock movement- sexual exploration and drug exploration. The song focuses around Bowie's fans, specifically female fans, of the 1970s. The song may be directed toward his fans as a sign of gratitude or appreciation because after all, it was David Bowie's fan base that made him into the superstar he was and continues to be. As previously stated, Bowie was heavily influenced by the Mods and the title of the song explains teenage rebellion during the Glam Rock movement. Like his other songs, he used visuals, theatrics, drugs and transsexual elements in different ways to reel in his audience's attention.
First, the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" display sexual exploration because of the conversation Bowie seems to be having with a female during the song. During Bowie's prime, sexual exploration was a huge factor of Glam Rock and many artists and performers would dress and portray themselves as the opposite gender. Bowie sings "hey babe let's go out tonight, you like me and I like it all" and "you want more and you want it fast" (MetroLyrics). Both lines imply sexual tension between Bowie and a woman but the line "you've got your mother in a whirl, she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl" implies that one cannot be completely certain whether it's a male or female. Stated perfectly by Andy Greene from Rolling Stone, the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" are "gender-bending."
Secondly, drug exploration is touched upon in the lyrics as well. During the Glam movement, music was inspired by psychedelic influences, and drugs, mainly LSD, which played a huge effect into the creation of lyrical genius. Timothy Leary, an American psychologist who advocated drug use during the time, states "that the use of constructive drug use freed conscious," and that "everything we accept as reality is just a social fabrication" (Lenig 13 qtd Warhol and Hackett, 1989, 184). The line "you got your cue line and a handful of 'ludes," refers to the use of drugs during the seventies. "Lude" is the street name for a drug known by Methaqualone, which is a sedative and hypnotic drug used during the Glam era.
Lastly, throughout "Rebel Rebel" Bowie depicts a dysfunctional woman who is in the midst of teenage rebellion.Bowie may be describing his own eccentric, over-elaborate and partying lifestyle through the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel." The lines "you're a juvenile success," "because your face is a mess," and "rebel, rebel you've torn your dress." shows teenage rebellion against the norm during the Glam movement and the carefree attitude of the Glam Rock audience.
First, the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" display sexual exploration because of the conversation Bowie seems to be having with a female during the song. During Bowie's prime, sexual exploration was a huge factor of Glam Rock and many artists and performers would dress and portray themselves as the opposite gender. Bowie sings "hey babe let's go out tonight, you like me and I like it all" and "you want more and you want it fast" (MetroLyrics). Both lines imply sexual tension between Bowie and a woman but the line "you've got your mother in a whirl, she's not sure if you're a boy or a girl" implies that one cannot be completely certain whether it's a male or female. Stated perfectly by Andy Greene from Rolling Stone, the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel" are "gender-bending."
Secondly, drug exploration is touched upon in the lyrics as well. During the Glam movement, music was inspired by psychedelic influences, and drugs, mainly LSD, which played a huge effect into the creation of lyrical genius. Timothy Leary, an American psychologist who advocated drug use during the time, states "that the use of constructive drug use freed conscious," and that "everything we accept as reality is just a social fabrication" (Lenig 13 qtd Warhol and Hackett, 1989, 184). The line "you got your cue line and a handful of 'ludes," refers to the use of drugs during the seventies. "Lude" is the street name for a drug known by Methaqualone, which is a sedative and hypnotic drug used during the Glam era.
Lastly, throughout "Rebel Rebel" Bowie depicts a dysfunctional woman who is in the midst of teenage rebellion.Bowie may be describing his own eccentric, over-elaborate and partying lifestyle through the lyrics of "Rebel Rebel." The lines "you're a juvenile success," "because your face is a mess," and "rebel, rebel you've torn your dress." shows teenage rebellion against the norm during the Glam movement and the carefree attitude of the Glam Rock audience.