Rebel Yell Songs Ranked
Rebel Yell is the second studio album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 10 November 1983 by Chrysalis Records. After the release of his 1982 eponymous debut album, Idol continued his collaboration with producer Keith Forsey and multi-instrumentalist Steve Stevens. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Initially recording without a drummer, utilizing only the electronic drum machines LinnDrum and Roland TR-808, Forsey and Stevens later decided to hire Thommy Price to play drums on some of the songs. Musically, Rebel Yell is a rock album with a strong influence of new wave music. The cover sleeve and images were shot by Brian Griffin. Idol got the idea of the album’s title after attending a party with the Rolling Stones and drinking Rebel Yell bourbon. Here are all of Rebel Yell songs ranked.
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9. The Dead Next Door
“The closing track from the original release, “The Dead Next Door” is a jaw-dropping ethereal gem of a song. In many ways the best song of the album, this is quite capable of giving you goosebumps. Idol reaches down for a deeper sense of meaning reflecting on the contrast between a wedding and death. This simple, yet powerful song is not to be missed.”
8. Crank Call
“Crank Call” deals with the annoyance of receiving them and what would push one to make crank calls. This is the only mediocre track.”
7. Daytime Drama
“The album comes down to earth with the underrated, spacey tribute to superficiality with “Daytime Drama.” A well-written song, Stevens guitar effects truly make it shine.”
See more: Billy Idol Albums Ranked
6. Blue Highway
“On “Blue Highway” Idol evokes the wanderlust and free-spiritedness of the American highway while confessing to the dangerousness of its appeal with “Yes, I almost died on a blue highway.” Eerily, Idol would later almost lose a leg in a motorcycle accident in the late 90’s.”
5. (Do Not) Stand In the Shadows
“Do Not Stand In The Shadows” is punk rock at its best. It brims with a positive motivating high-energy. It’s a rebel voice pushing you to get out from underneath whatever oppresses you but fully in the light of day free of any nihilistic tendency toward self-destruction. This is one of those great songs that radio seems to overlook.”
4. Catch My Fall
“On the sophisticated “Catch My Fall”, which features saxophone by Mars Williams, Idol makes a plea for brotherly love. Devoid of saxophone, the demo of “Catch My Fall” displays a nice clean guitar sound from Stevens.”
See more: Billy Idol Songs Ranked
3. Flesh for Fantasy
“Stevens is one those guys that they reserve the term ‘guitar hero’ for. Yes, he’s extremely flashy, with a penchant for outer space sound effects. But what’s even more striking is his versatility and his knack for blurring the lines between lead & rhythm guitar–just look at his shimmering guitarwork on the verses of the irresistibly funky and lustful “Flesh For Fantasy”.”
2. Rebel Yell
“The album sets an incredibly high standard for itself right off the bat. The uptempo minor-keyed title track is spellbinding–the chorus is raging; Idol does his trademark alterations between a baritone croon and blood-curdling screams; Stevens riffs away frenetically; and the chimey synths don’t water the song down at all, in fact they help make it even edgier.”
1. Eyes Without a Face
“Eyes Without A Face” is where the overproduction trap starts to really rear its head–primarily a ballad, it’s quite pretty actually, with really nice chord changes, but it gets carried away with distracting electronic percussion; plus the ‘rocking’ mid-section feels underwritten and out of place.”