And may I just say, and for the record, that if that doesn't bring a tear of the very purest joy to your eye, then you need to check your proverbial meds immediately.
Long-time readers are aware that I have never really been a Bowie fan. In his heyday, I actively disliked most of his songs (with one or two exceptions), thought all that Flash Gordon and the Gay Guys From Outer Space theatrical shtick was too dumb for words, and couldn't stand his voice, which struck me (and still does) as annoyingly affected in a pompous, Anthony Newley-sings-opera sort of way. Over the years, however, I've mellowed on Dave, largely because he came off as so funny and charming in his later appearances on teevee, and by all accounts that's the guy he was off-stage as well, so I've made my peace with him. To the point where, to my surprise, some of the early hits -- the stuff from Ziggy, principally -- no longer get up my nose the way they used to.
And then, of course, there's "Rebel Rebel," which is fantastic on numerous levels.
Anyway, I bring all this up because it has occured to me that the song -- which is, of course, on one of those levels, a plea for love, understanding and tolerance, as couldn't be plainer if you've watched 1000 people of myriad ages, ethnicities and gender performing it -- is actually far more subversive than it was when it was first released in 1973. In fact, given the current neo-fascist political climate we live in, there's a very real possibility that a public school teacher in Gov. Pudding Fingers' state who played it for their students could wind up in serious legal jeopardy. Hell, if they're objecting to To Kill a Mockingbird, one can only guess how pissed off the Klanned Karens in Moms for Liberty would be if they got a load of That's Live doing Bowie.
Bottom line: The title of today's post sums up my feelings on the whole issue. And a big posthumous hat tip to David Bowie for having written a song that makes the point with such sneaky eloquence and a fabulous guitar riff.
Oh, and as a special bonus, because I love you all more than food, here's another way cool "Rebel" cover, which I only became aware of last Monday. By the charmingly monikered Smitt E. Smitty and The Fezztones.
Damn. On top of everything else, I'm beginning to think it might be impossible to do a bad version of that song. Although let's not test the theory in Florida.
12 comments:
I have to think that setup and tear down for the Rockin' 1000 is a roadie's nightmare! Great video!
Just when you think that Trump's the biggest asshole out there, DeSantis steps up. How the hell did he get through Harvard and Yale??
Along with 'Golden Years,' this number is on the short list of favorites that never get turned off. Many consider it Mick Ronson's finest riff but it was actually cooked up by Bowie. I think of him the same way I think of Sparks- you can take this or that phase and not others, as you like.
That being said, his cover of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' and the collab with Jagger on 'Dancing in the Streets' are grade-A atrocities.
Oh yeah, DeSantis is much worse than the orange one. His anti-LGBTQ stance leads me to think he may have proclivities.
Which, if true, we should all stand respectfully and applaud, right?
Wait… I’m so confused!
De Fatass
Makes me want to move back to New England
rob
Alzo- want to know more about Mick Ronson ?
Contact Rick T at the Guitar hanger.google it
Not only does he have Micks Gibson but stage costumes that Mick wore with Bowie.
rob
Steve,
Back in 1977, you reviewed a Bay City Rollers album for STEREO REVIEW. You panned it and said incredulously: "Just wait 'til you hear these grinning wimps mutilate David Bowie's 'Rebel Rebel', perhaps the ultimate mismatch of song and performer." So that may be THE bad cover. Maybe not, though; I think over the years, you've mellowed on the Rollers, too.
I’ve definitely mellowed on the Rollers, but I totally forgot the Rebel cover. I’ll check it out — thanks.
Bowie was a fan of languages in general, and Polari in particular, the underground language of gays, criminals, and carnies that hides its meanings in plain sight. A LOT of his music was subversive back then, and sadly even more today.
@ChrisE, Sean Cassidy also covered "Rebel Rebel" backed by Todd Rundgren and Utopia (!).
Todd Rundgren and Adrien Belew were touring recently with a Bowie tribute show
And speaking of Bowie and Ronson, the film clip of a concert version of "Moonage Daydream" has wonderful footage of girls in rocknroll rapture
To this day, it's got to kill Keith Richards a little that that's not his lick.
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