Rebel Yell (album)

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Rebel Yell
BillyIdolRebelYell.jpg
Studio album by Billy Idol
Released 10 November 1983
Recorded 1982–83
Genre Hard rock, post-punk, new wave
Length 38:10
Label Chrysalis
Producer Keith Forsey
Billy Idol chronology
Billy Idol
(1982)Billy Idol1982		 Rebel Yell
(1983)		 Vital Idol
(1985)Vital Idol1985
Singles from Rebel Yell
  1. "Rebel Yell"
    Released: 24 October 1983
  2. "Eyes Without a Face"
    Released: 29 May 1984
  3. "Flesh for Fantasy"
    Released: 13 September 1984
  4. "Catch My Fall"
    Released: 7 November 1984
  5. "Rebel Yell"
    Released: 11 June 1985 (UK re-release)
  6. "Catch My Fall"
    Released: 13 August 1985 (UK re-release)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4/5 stars[1]
Robert Christgau (C)[2]
Rolling Stone 4/5 stars[3]
Kerrang! favourable[4]

Rebel Yell is the second studio album by English rock musician Billy Idol, and was released on 10 November 1983 by Chrysalis Records. It was very successful with four singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, while the album reached No. 6 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. The album has been certified by RIAA 2x platinum and by BPI silver.

Background and recording

The album reunited the hit-making team of Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and Keith Forsey, after their success with Idol's 1982 solo debut, Billy Idol. Idol got the idea to name the album "Rebel Yell" after attending a party with The Rolling Stones. He explained on VH1 Storytellers that people were drinking "Rebel Yell" bourbon, and thought that would be a great title for an album.

The title track was recorded in only three days at the Electric Lady Studios in New York City.[5] Billy was battling Chrysalis Records over creative control, and decided to steal the master tapes. Keith Forsey stated in an interview with Mix magazine that Idol stole the wrong tapes. Idol battled the label, and came back to the studio victorious. Keith then informed him that he had taken the wrong tapes.

Working with Forsey was guitarist Steve Stevens, bassist Phil Feit and later Steve Webster, drummer Gregg Gerson, and keyboardists Judi Dozier and Jack Waldman.

In 1999, EMI Music re-issued the album as part of their "Expanded" series. The new version of the album included previously unreleased bonus tracks and expanded liner notes. In 2010, audiophile label Audio Fidelity Records re-issued a 24-karat CD, remastered in HDCD by Steve Hoffman.

All of the singles, but particularly "Rebel Yell", "Eyes Without a Face" and "Flesh for Fantasy", were hit music videos on MTV. Idol's longtime girlfriend Perri Lister can be seen in the front row during the "Rebel Yell" video.

Track listing

All songs written and arranged by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens except where indicated.

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Rebel Yell"     4:45
2. "Daytime Drama"     4:02
3. "Eyes Without a Face"     4:58
4. "Blue Highway"     5:05
5. "Flesh for Fantasy"     4:37
6. "Catch My Fall"   Billy Idol 3:57
7. "Crank Call"     3:56
8. "(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows"     3:10
9. "The Dead Next Door"     3:45
1999 expanded edition
No. Title Writer(s) Length
10. "Rebel Yell (Session Take)"     5:27
11. "Motorbikin' (Session Take)"   Chris Spedding 4:16
12. "Catch My Fall (Original Demo)"     4:11
13. "Flesh for Fantasy (Session Take)"     5:09
14. "Blue Highway (Original Demo)"     5:00

Chart performance

Chart (1983–84) Peak
position		 Total
weeks
Canadian Albums Chart[6] 8 62
German Albums Chart[7] 2 N/A
New Zealand Albums Chart[8] 2 42
Swiss Albums Chart[9] 16 13
UK Albums Chart[10] 36 11
US Billboard 200[11] 6 70

Singles

  1. "Rebel Yell" (1/1984 – IDOL 2) – No. 46 US
  2. "Eyes Without a Face" (6/1984 – IDOL 3) – No. 4 US
  3. "Flesh for Fantasy" (9/1984 – IDOL 4) – No. 29 US
  4. "Catch My Fall" (1984) – No. 50 US
  5. "Rebel Yell" (UK re-release) (9/1985 – IDOL 6)
  6. "Catch My Fall" (UK re-release from Vital Idol) (8/1988 – IDOL 13)

The 1985 remix album, Vital Idol included remixes of the singles "Flesh for Fantasy (Below the Belt Mix)" and "Catch My Fall (Remix Fix)".

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States 2× Platinum 2,000,000
United Kingdom Silver 60,000

Personnel

  • Keith Forsey – producer
  • Michael Frondelli – engineer, mixing
  • Dave Wittman – engineer, mixing
  • Gary Hellman – engineer
  • Steve Rinkoff – engineer
  • Pete Thea – engineer
  • George Marino – mastering
  • Brian Griffin – photography
  • Michael MacNeil – cover design
  • Kevin Flaherty – compilation
  • Stephanie Tudor – production co-ordination

References

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  5. ↑ Keith Forsey discusses the recording of Rebel Yell
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External links

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