This song is really something special. I'm going to tell you a story about how I became a David Bowie fan, and it ultimately comes down to this song's impact: In 2015, I had only known a few David Bowie songs well: Space Oddity, Starman, Fame, Under Pressure, Let's Dance, and Magic Dance. That was it. My experience was extremely limited. My mom drove me to take a college scholarship exam, and on the radio, we heard the song Heroes. She was telling me about how shrill she always thought the chorus of the song was before, but that it wasn't as painful to listen to as she used to think. When we got home, she wanted to look up the studio version again. We did, and to our surprise, there were more verses on the album version. We wanted to look up a live version to see how it compares. She chose Berlin 2002, one of the iconic performances a lot of people have started with since David passed in 2016. Seeing that show was life-changing for both of us, but there wasn't anything we'd taken from it besides we grew to love the song Heroes. She never liked the song Suffragette City, I found out a couple weeks later, so I went to check it out. I honestly wasn't that impressed with it either, though I heard the roots of punk rock in it and could clearly understand its influence on other artists. I viewed it somewhat like how you viewed the song Diamond Dogs. You'll probably understand this clearly on your Ziggy Stardust album listen. Nothing came of listening to Suffragette City, although I got a better picture of how diverse David Bowie was, not that I'd even made contact with the tip of the iceberg or realized he had literally hundreds of songs that were different from each other. I knew he was an icon, and I knew it was rightfully so, but I didn't know Aladdin Sane isn't Ziggy Stardust or that David had more than a handful of culturally important albums. I was basically just a dense teenager who wanted to hype him up purely for being him without understanding most of what he had done. No offense to people who enjoy bands like Queen, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, or Bon Jovi, but it's one of those cases. Being a household name attracts respect sometimes without fully earning it, and people figure because an artist is incredibly hyped, they deserve immediate admiration for existing. Really, most people don't understand how much more they'd admire the artist if they actually dove into their music. These artists are underrated when you look at how fantastic their music is outside of the songs that make a Greatest Hits or Best of list. I had been as shallow as anyone else regarding David Bowie, but realized quickly how I wanted to change that. I knew the song Rebel Yell by Billy Idol since I was a kid, and it had always been one of my absolute jams that no one could touch. I listened to it all the time, even if I hadn't been that familiar with Billy Idol either outside of a few hits and The Wedding Singer. I certainly had no idea his persona was David Bowie meets Elvis Presley, even after seeing pictures and clips of blonde David Bowie in his stylish suits for years. I was looking up Rebel Yell on TH-cam, and in the suggestions, the actual first thing to come up with the term "Rebel" was "Rebel Rebel - David Bowie". I clicked on it, then the first video that came up, unaware of what was about to happen to me. The second I heard Bowie's main riff, I was like "HOLD ON A SECOND, THIS ISN'T A ROLLING STONES SONG?" and my expectations turned on their head. It had of course been influenced by Bowie's desire to annoy Mick Jagger in a friendly manner, but it was also the last step before punk rock kicked off and shattered ground completely. The fact that I knew it shook me to my core. A lot of music reactors certainly go through this experience and end up loving an artist after the gravity of what they've done makes sense to them, which is probably why most of us watch these videos. That realization is invaluable, and this is how we relive it through another person's eyes. Loving Rebel Rebel to the fullest extent one can love a song, I made the decision to do a deep dive on David Bowie's discography after a quick sweep of the other classics like Life on Mars?, Young Americans, Ashes to Ashes, As the World Falls Down, and I'm Afraid of Americans. I wanted to know which songs to make note of before I got started. I wasn't going to take a shortcut or start in the middle. I wanted to see how he evolved as an artist, and I was keen to listen to soundtracks and side projects as well as the main albums. I didn't know what was going on until Young Americans because I certainly didn't understand most folk, glam, or avant-garde music yet and was used to David with the low voice and the awesome suits, but the albums made sense after I listened to them again later. Unfortunately, I hadn't finished my marathon by the time Lazarus came out. "Oh, Bowie released a new song. Better check it out." I started crying the second I saw him, because I knew he was dying and all of this interest would be for someone I'd only be able to love posthumously. It broke my heart, fam. I was grateful for being alive at the same time as him, I suppose, but it hurt a lot. I questioned what my time on this earth means because I'd formed an attachment to this artist who could never be replaced. It's never easy. I'd completed the dive a few months later, not really sure of what my goal was. Obviously, I couldn't shake the fact that David Bowie had passed away, but it was musical curiosity that made me want to finish. I didn't want to consider it a tribute or an attempt to pay respects. I wanted to know what made him David Bowie, just as you've wanted to as another intellectual music listener. His artistry stands for itself just as David Bowie represented himself as David Bowie. Rebel Rebel wasn't only a catalyst for me to listen to David Bowie. It was a catalyst for a lot of people who inspired others. Joan Jett and Madonna, two of the icons, have gone on record saying Rebel Rebel made them want to be touring musicians. Joan has since decided Future Legend is her favorite David Bowie track and quoted it word for word in interviews, and Madonna has talked about her first concert ever being a David Bowie Diamond Dogs show. Both covered Rebel Rebel after David passed because it was their inspiration to be themselves and push boundaries, and their attachment to Diamond Dogs as an album and David Bowie as a whole stemmed from hearing Rebel Rebel, whether they'd heard Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane songs first. It's his 2nd most-covered song besides Heroes, one of the most popular songs he ever released, and obviously a timeless classic. This comment may come across as being very scatterbrained and imprecise, and it really is, but ultimately I want to say thank you for having this experience and going through Bowie's material with all of us, Justin. You've listened to a ton of artists on your channels, and I hope a lot of them stand out to you, Bowie being one that you can truly admire. Your path is very unique and interesting to follow. I'm grateful for the fans having gotten you into the incredible music we feel passionate about. You're great at analyzing these songs, and your viewpoints are refreshing. It's a joy to follow along with. Keep up the great work! ❤
Chris, we've met on many a Bowie video, but never have I read something more touching. Thank you for sharing that. I remember where I was when I heard my first Bowie song and it's been a life long journey. Honestly, he's been my constant companion. Thanks JP and Chris!
Chris, wow. Thank you for taking the time to write that, it was fantastic to read your experience with Bowie and how you "accidentally" rediscovered him. I love how you and your mom looked him up as well initially. Seriously, thank you
Thanks for sharing, Chris. I can see that you are closer to my kids' age than to mine, and yet you felt Bowie's passing in the same way I did. His career spanned generations, as did his appeal. I'm sure Rebel Rebel was the genesis of many life long relationships with his incredible catalog.
I think David Bowie saved a lot of young people’s lives by his constant message that being different is how we are supposed to be! You always get it!☮️❤️🧸
"He's more than a human being; he's this thing that we've all had since childhood. None of us got to call him up and have lunch with him and stuff. And that hasn't changed. That will never change. The music and what he did to style and our hearts is untouchable. There's so much of David Bowie that lives in us that never goes away. I think his influence that is immortality. He lives in anybody who has a fucking idea about culture. At least we have that, and we always have that. He gave that to all of us." Doc Hammer on David Bowie. If you don't know who Doc Hammer is, look him up.
"I will play the last few seconds of 'Sweet thing/Reprise', leading into 'Rebel Rebel'" God bless you, JP :-D ! Very nice and thoughtful reaction, thanks a lot ! I hadn't realized until today how many anthems Bowie created throughout his carrer : 'Life on Mars', 'All the young dudes', 'Rebel Rebel', 'Heroes', 'Teenage wildlife', 'Let's dance'... So many songs talking so intimately to people and cheering them up, just like you mentioned : maybe this is one mark of real talent, if not genius :). Keep up the good work ! PS : definitely, one of my cats !
Love your thoughts here. Part of what makes us Bowie devotees what we are is that, especially in the Seventies when so many of us were in middle and high school, we were considered freaks for whatever reason. Bowie told us that we were beautiful no matter what anyone else thought and that we should keep on doing what we did. He validated us at our most vulnerable. Not just in this song but others such as Rock And Roll Suicide, and in his attitude in general. While I feel he slipped up in the Eighties (but he got his mojo back in the Nineties) he remains, along with Neil Young, the biggest musical influence on me outside of prog. He was our Elvis, and when he died, I called out sick and my wife and I held each other and cried all day.
That day! I got phone calls from people I hadn't talked to in years. I ugly cried and still, when I listen to Dollar Days or I Can't Give Everything Away I get choked up.
What a great analysis of this song! This is the greatest Rolling Stones song not written by nor performed by the Rolling Stones (can't you just hear Mick Jagger singing this?). The first verse is just delightful and makes my spirit soar whenever I hear it. And its greatness is magnified by its position on the album (they just don't do sequencing like they used to). The flow from the previous song into this song is perfection.
In the early '70s Bowie sometimes wore dresses and had his hair really long. At one point he and his wife Angela looked like twins with the same haircut, you couldn't tell who was a boy or a girl. As for the line, "You wanna be there when they count up the dudes," 2 years earlier he'd written a song called 'All the Young Dudes' for the group Mott the Hoople, it became the title track of their album which he produced. This line may be a reference to that song.
@@andyjames6300 The story goes that he didn't want them to break up, so he sat down and wrote it on the floor in front of them. He was in the Ziggy mindset in case they didn't accept his offer and he could put it on an album, but he and Mick wanted them to have it.
Rick Wakeman has said that he'd never met a recording artist like Bowie. Apparently, Bowie knew exactly what he wanted in any given song, heard it in his head in a particular way & knew what to do in order to make it work in the studio. I'm paraphrasing, of course, but that's the gist of Wakeman's sentiment.🚬😎
I remember back a few years singing this song with some friends in a bar after a Bowie Celebration Show in London.. The memories are palpable.. there were people there much younger that joined in with us.. an amazing night, an amazing song! Thanks my friend!!🎸🎧🎸
@@chrismeadows4216 The whole song feels like a repeated chorus with short bridges... The "chorus" lyrically doesn't alter the "melody" in my ears. Anyways, this is one of those songs that I can't keep away from the dance floor hearing!
My favorite line in the song: "You got your cue line and a handful of ludes." If you are not familiar with the vernacular, Quaaludes were quite popular in the late 70's. Powerful barbiturate.
Your description is absolutely PERFECT. Personally I love how Bowie makes this a rocker as if we the listener are in the element and he's dropping us into their experience on the dance floor where the scowls may be exhibited around them, but the music's energy is the total opposite and he, and she, don't succumb to any dismissals.
This is the song that turned me into a Bowie fan. For most of my life it was my favorite song -- not favorite Bowie song, but favorite song period. Over the past 4+ decades it has been a little over-exposed to me, partly due to radio and partly my own choices. In any event, I was drawn to this track by the guitar riff, the driving beat, the lyrics, and the maximum Bowie vocal. Great reaction, Justin.
I think we can all say this song changed our lives based on these comments. If I hadn't heard this song, I'm not sure I'd be watching David Bowie reactions at all. I became a diehard over this song. It's not in my top 10, but it never leaves my top 30. I love it, and I always will.
Justin, those images just happened to remind me of an amusing website / blog that actually compares David Bowie's colorful fashions to sea slugs called "bowiebranchia." At first I was annoyed at the idea someone was taking shots at my lifelong hero until I checked it out. Amazingly beautiful images not unlike some that you just showed. I don't know if Bowie knew of it, but I think he would have found it wonderfully odd & rather flattering. Bowie fans, check it out!
David Bowie's Rebel rebel entered the UK top 40 on the 23rd February 1974 and peaked at no.5. The top 10 this week was: 1 - Mud - Tiger feet 2 - Suzi Quatro - Devil gate drive 3 - Lulu - The man who sold the world 4 - Wombles - Wombling song 5 - Andy Williams - Solitaire 6 - The Sweet - Teenage rampage 7 - Alvin Stardust - Jealous mind 8 - Diana Ross - All of my life 9 - Cozy Powell - Dance with the devil 10 - Stylistics - Rockin' roll baby Other tracks this week included: Golden Earring - Radar love David Bowie - Rebel rebel Stevie Wonder - Living for the city Alice Cooper - Teenage lament 74 Barry White - Never gonna give you up Prelude - After the gold rush Medicine Head - Slip and slide Steelers Wheel - Star Hudson Ford - Burn baby burn. As I was only 7 yrs old at the time I don't recall many of these but was rather partial to The Wombles lol. Some interesting bands all the same x
I never thought the album could be matched but I’m putting Diamond Dogs up there with Station to Station. Rebel Rebel is great and always got a lot of play but I can’t get over how good everything on DD sounds/feels. Thanks for that because JP because until you covered it the other day I never heard Sweet Thing/Candidate/ST reprise. It floored me.
@@JustJP I haven’t heard a lot of things I probably should have by now. You are showing me plenty of new things and this s is why I’m here. XTC though ... yeah, I’ve heard that ...
"Velvet Goldmine" is a 1998 movie about the early days of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Glam Rock in general. It is seen through the eyes of a young Englishman who wants to be a Music Journalist because of his admiration of Bowie. Christian Bale, before he was a huge star himself, plays the young protagonist in a multi-layered performance. The soundtrack music is astounding. The supporting actors are uninhibited, some even unhinged -- and that's a good thing in the realm of Glam. The singer who here represents Bowie is played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who more recently played Joe Strummer in the early days of The Clash, in the delightful "London Town". Both movies are worth seeing.
Stopped at 2:37 not because it's a specific point of interest in the song itself, but the moment everything I ever like about Bowie came rushing back to a distant memory sitting in a park with friends on a hot summer day drinking beer, and getting high.... and this song is the only one I remember listening to that day. ...and if not for my memory of this particular song, I'd have likely forgotten who I was with, my friend's Samoyed "Petey", and a neighbor and drinking partner who's no longer with us. It seems as if I can recall distant memories tied to Bowie songs and that alone makes me think he had a bigger influence on me than I can put in words.
Lots of night club vibe in this album - reminds me when Bowie did a show at The London Marquee for TV (The 1980 Floor Show), which aired on the Midnight Special late Sat. night. Very surreal.
@Bob Holtzmann I remember watching that Midnight Special episode when it aired & again during the summer repeats. I could NOT get enough of it, I thought I had died & gone to heaven. Hadn't seen it in sooo many year till TH-cam. Love that I can see it now anytime I want!
@@chrisf.7980 Thanks to the success of American Graffiti and the Oldies revival, I really enjoyed seeing Wolfman Jack hosting the Midnight Special! Lots of great acts! That Bowie show, BTW, was edited down from 8 hours of live performances! th-cam.com/video/CAd_IJOiisk/w-d-xo.html
@Bob Holtzmann I know, right?! The Midnight Specials had terrific sound quality as well for their live performances. I am thankful we are able to see them all again so easily. And yes, I am aware about the extra Bowie stuff. I particularly enjoyed the out-takes as well. Thanks for the mention, you never know what others may or may not know about. It's terrific to share! 😁
@@chrisf.7980 You're welcome Chris. I checked the songs in that TV show, and it looks like much of it was for the Aladdin Sane and Pinups albums. But my favorite Diamond Dogs song "1984" was in the show.
One of the top Bowie's. I agree with those who have noted that you can imagine the Stones / Jagger doing this - I thought it WAS, way back when. Nice analysis. Animal? Something that can avoid burning forests, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, etc. Maybe a bird of prey?
Always loved this since I first heard it on Radio 1 when I was taxi driving in London when it was first released, pulled over to hear it through; great! it was part of Bowie's 198Floor Show an attempt to create a musical version of George Orwell's 1984 but he couldn't get rights from Orwell's estate so he did the dystopian Diamond Dogs instead.
That was an incredibly insightful reaction. I loved hearing your take on it. I agree with you. It 's a great just flat out rock and roll song but those lyrics are stand out. You rock!
This song was one of the songs David wrote for his aborted 1984 musical, the girl in the song is the Julia character from Orwell's book, and the song is written from Winston Smith's point of view as assesses her from a distance.
With the way we humans are treating this planet, I don't want to ever come back as an animal. Hell, I'd be hard-pressed to say 'yes' to coming back as a human.
JP, thrilled to see you doing this so soon after "The Candidate / Sweet Thing / Candidate Reprise" since they do follow so closely. It seems best to keep up the continuity, especially for all those hearing some of this for the first time. It always makes me happy to see younger people discovering his work, I want to believe his legacy will live on much past my own time as well. You really do his work justice. I hope you will keep up the Bowie journey, there is soooo much more yet to uncover! (I will be tuned in for more)
Nice reaction. This song along with Lola by the Kinks and Take A Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed were all written about transwomen that either the artist of member of the band was involved with. Reed's classic focus on the scene in NY and Andy Warhols'parties.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side was also produced by Bowie and Mick Ronson with the rest of Lou's album Transformer. There were a few key innovators of glam rock music and they all knew each other well. That's how you know a movement is serious. When there's that sense of community and family. From a few strong trees grew a vast forest.
This was during his alter ego era as "Ziggy Stardust." He went back to being "David Bowie" a few years later. This cat was different. Extremely talented.
JP, I listen to vocals as another instrument within the music so I don't tend to analyze the lyrics. You've given me a new appreciation of this song. Thank you ♥️
This became a huge gay/outsider anthem around the world in the seventies. That's Bowie on lead guitar. Fantastic version. Springsteen performed an incredible version a few days after Bowie died.
I’d like to come back as Eric Burdon, or possibly Chas Chandler. About Bowie’s hair, in 1964 he was the founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men. Of course, it was a publicity stunt, but it did get the name Davey Jones out there. It’s a shame that he wasn’t David Bowie at that time.
Dig the insight in the lyrics. Tons of great music from Bowie, from the beginning to the end of his musical career. Moonage Daydream is a fave of mine ( Ziggy Stardust album), Lazarus (from his last album), Dead Man Walking ( Earthling album ) and many, many more.
Jagger and Richards must have been green with envy with this one! Yes, the message is great, but the guitar riff! AWESOME! We beat this one to death when it came out and it never got old...
Great review as usual. I always felt there is a link among three of the most uptempo rockers of early Bowie, mainly due to the lyrics: Queen Bitch (inspired by the Velvet Underground), "The Jean Genie" (pure Glam) and "Rebel Rebel" (Rolling Stones). And since a previous comment (Br. Martin Dally, OSB) stated rightfully that Rebel Rebel is the greatest Rolling Stones' song not written by the RS themselves, I take this opportunity to suggest you the greatest Pink Floyd song not written nor played by the Pink Floyd: "Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung" by The Flaming Lips. It would fit a Pink Floyd best of.
Like with most things, the original will always be the best. But I do like the way David reconstructed the song with his late nineties, early 2000s band. There's an especially good TV version from Later with Jools Holland. The audience is thrown off by an intro they don't recognise, what song is this ? Then the first verse is sung slowly and recognition dawns, then the original riff kicks in !
The first rework of the song was the US single edit with the LAI LAI LAI LAI LAI LAI instead of the DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO. That version did poorly outside of the clubs, but it's essentially the live version David always did leading up to the later version you're talking about. That version is worth a listen as well.
As good as side 1 of DD is, it is the second side that really pushes the 1984 /dystopian theme so well. Halloween Jack and his push against authoritarianism. Love the reaction!
I know the original(this version) was better, but I was so in LOVE with the Bay City Rollers when I was a preteen & they covered this song! My favorite Roller, Eric Faulkner, that rarely sang lead, sang this song & it made me so happy : )
back in the 70s i heard and saw this regularly. a colossal single. now 45 years later i'm catchin up with the lp with u. the rebellion scared me. it terrifies me now. but u know wot The Almighty knows all about it. I'm gonna trust Him. David prayed in Live Aid. Calamity's Child. Diggin the lyric Excavation. Leave no stone unturned. be Me.
I’ve never been on lyrics as the main purpose of listening to music. However, on occasion the lyrics are great. I like how you brought that up here. In the mid-70s I was a bit of a rebel in some regards. However a lot of my friends considered me a bit of a rebel because I asked the Lord back into my life. And started a different approach. The lyrics in this song could even apply to that I was quite comfortable with my new focus and still am today.
Bowie, was awesome. His music was art in the highest form of the word. Actually this song sounds very Rolling Stones like. Diamond Dogs as a whole is one hell of an album.
On the one hand it seems ridiculous that a segue from one track to the next can make such a difference to your enjoyment of a song, on the other hand, it absolutely does for me.
That's one thing that sets some artists apart from others. They really mean to make albums flow. A lot of artists just put huge songs together and release them. Bowie was all about having the track order make absolute sense when he was allowed and having these tracks enhance each other through context. They're great by themselves, but listening to Diamond Dogs as one artistic statement is a special experience.
When Bowie is Rolling Stoneish. Great Grewing up in the 70.s Bowie and Zappa flooded our turntables - David Bowie (1969) - The Man Who Sold The World (1970) - Hunky Dory (1971) - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) - Alladin Sane (1973) - Pin Ups (1973) - Diamond Dogs (1974) - David Live (1974) - Young Americans (1975) - Station to Station (1976) - Low (1977) - Heroes (1977) - Stage (Live) (1978) - Lodger (1979) - Scary Monsters (1980) - Let’s Dance (1983) Add some albums with music and collaboration and you have his first 15 years, totally remarkable production. After that another 10-15 albums... (he made an album before his David Bowie album 1969 but I am not familiar with it)
I'm being me, Justin! But, if I wasn't going to be me, I'd be an owl. You dig deep, my friend, and I love it. Telling me things I didn't bother to try to think of in my youth. Hoping you can tell me some things about City Boy that I haven't bothered to imagine yet. Carry on!
I think Tre Narcisse did it. He loved it if I recall, and I think the vast majority of reactors would if they gave it a shot. Beautiful storytelling, fantastic imagery, wonderful sound. It's a very underrated song.
I would love to have someone react to Cygnet Committee from same album as well. I think I have only seen it done once, maybe twice on one of these channels. Another epic early Bowie tune, IMHO.
@@EdwardGregoryNYC If more people knew about it, Space Oddity wouldn't be viewed as the only great song on that 2nd album. It's a shame. They're all great, and I mean all of them. I even love Don't Sit Down.
Great song. I don't think the lyrics are about acceptance. It's about affirmation, assertion . The message is do what you want, it doesn't matter what they think about you. And Bowie, always the smart guy, added that he was by his/her side. He knew who'll gonna buy the record.
I think you'd really like Steve Harley and the Cockney Rebel song Make Me Smile, easy light rocker from about the same time as this, it's also mom and dad's fave song it was out when they met
My departure from the Rock world...looking for something to play after this and one of my West Indian mates gave me an album by some band called The Wailers...
Always enjoy your reactions and your appreciation of good music. Ever reacted to the sensational Alex Harvey band. Amos moses, faith healer or framed are good tracks. 😊
I like the guitar tone and the riff. I was thinking what you were thinking, but you came up with "acceptance" before me. The word escaped me, but you grabbed it. I might just skip my shampoo & conditioner- in-one tonight during my shower, and so what if my hair is a mess? I'll still go out dancing. ⚠⚠⚠🛑🚫🚷📛 No, I won't. I'm broke and everything is shut down for covid virus. ☹
There are 2 former well known English footballing brothers, Gary and Phil Neville. Their father was called Neville Neville, football fans can be quite cruel! (this is true).
RE: your question...would definitely be a wolf. Was one in prior life i think Yes, this is a good straight rocker which fits after previous tunes like a glove Might have been a bit autobiographical So many personas this guy had Wish he were still here Never failed to surprise
You got it perfect Justine. I think this song was very personal for David cuz parents talked about his appearance...I know my mother did. I would tell her to stop... That's just David leave him alone! I'd get pissed.
Kind of groovy like a Stones song the voice of David like Mick Jagger. The riff all the same through the song like satisfaction. Btw good music. Have a nice evening.
Great reaction and breakdwown with analysis. Next Bowie tune could be Jean Genie unless you are doing this whole album? . A solid rocker! I think you’ll like it......
@@JustJP I’m on the bus. Waiting patiently for side B of Abbey Road. Just had to toss in my 2 cents for Jean Genie. Hey also, if you’ve done any Jimi Hendrix, Bold As Love lives up to its audacious name. Have a great weekend!
A cool glam-rock song, a bit repetitive but good. However I still prefer the "Sweet Thing" suite (which you did), "We Are the Dead", "1984" and "Big Brother"/"Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family". But before you get there, you will have to listen to the ballad "Rock 'n' Roll with Me" !
I'd theorize that someone thought that they'd better end the first side on an up note to encourage people to flip to Side 2. Sort of interrupts the narrative, but it is an awesomely strong album, regardless.
@@kevind4850 I agree that the album is quite fragmented and not focused on a particular topic although the Orwellian theme is underlying and appears in a few tracks. that said, I agree with you that the album remains very successful overall and has a very special atmosphere (reinforced by its disturbing cover). one of my faves from Bowie !
@@chrismeadows4216 I don't know what Justin will think of "Rock 'n' Roll with Me" but I'm pretty sure he'll love "We Are the Dead", "1984" and "Big Brother" !
This song is really something special. I'm going to tell you a story about how I became a David Bowie fan, and it ultimately comes down to this song's impact:
In 2015, I had only known a few David Bowie songs well: Space Oddity, Starman, Fame, Under Pressure, Let's Dance, and Magic Dance. That was it. My experience was extremely limited. My mom drove me to take a college scholarship exam, and on the radio, we heard the song Heroes. She was telling me about how shrill she always thought the chorus of the song was before, but that it wasn't as painful to listen to as she used to think. When we got home, she wanted to look up the studio version again. We did, and to our surprise, there were more verses on the album version. We wanted to look up a live version to see how it compares. She chose Berlin 2002, one of the iconic performances a lot of people have started with since David passed in 2016. Seeing that show was life-changing for both of us, but there wasn't anything we'd taken from it besides we grew to love the song Heroes.
She never liked the song Suffragette City, I found out a couple weeks later, so I went to check it out. I honestly wasn't that impressed with it either, though I heard the roots of punk rock in it and could clearly understand its influence on other artists. I viewed it somewhat like how you viewed the song Diamond Dogs. You'll probably understand this clearly on your Ziggy Stardust album listen. Nothing came of listening to Suffragette City, although I got a better picture of how diverse David Bowie was, not that I'd even made contact with the tip of the iceberg or realized he had literally hundreds of songs that were different from each other. I knew he was an icon, and I knew it was rightfully so, but I didn't know Aladdin Sane isn't Ziggy Stardust or that David had more than a handful of culturally important albums. I was basically just a dense teenager who wanted to hype him up purely for being him without understanding most of what he had done. No offense to people who enjoy bands like Queen, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, or Bon Jovi, but it's one of those cases. Being a household name attracts respect sometimes without fully earning it, and people figure because an artist is incredibly hyped, they deserve immediate admiration for existing. Really, most people don't understand how much more they'd admire the artist if they actually dove into their music. These artists are underrated when you look at how fantastic their music is outside of the songs that make a Greatest Hits or Best of list. I had been as shallow as anyone else regarding David Bowie, but realized quickly how I wanted to change that.
I knew the song Rebel Yell by Billy Idol since I was a kid, and it had always been one of my absolute jams that no one could touch. I listened to it all the time, even if I hadn't been that familiar with Billy Idol either outside of a few hits and The Wedding Singer. I certainly had no idea his persona was David Bowie meets Elvis Presley, even after seeing pictures and clips of blonde David Bowie in his stylish suits for years. I was looking up Rebel Yell on TH-cam, and in the suggestions, the actual first thing to come up with the term "Rebel" was "Rebel Rebel - David Bowie". I clicked on it, then the first video that came up, unaware of what was about to happen to me. The second I heard Bowie's main riff, I was like "HOLD ON A SECOND, THIS ISN'T A ROLLING STONES SONG?" and my expectations turned on their head. It had of course been influenced by Bowie's desire to annoy Mick Jagger in a friendly manner, but it was also the last step before punk rock kicked off and shattered ground completely. The fact that I knew it shook me to my core. A lot of music reactors certainly go through this experience and end up loving an artist after the gravity of what they've done makes sense to them, which is probably why most of us watch these videos. That realization is invaluable, and this is how we relive it through another person's eyes.
Loving Rebel Rebel to the fullest extent one can love a song, I made the decision to do a deep dive on David Bowie's discography after a quick sweep of the other classics like Life on Mars?, Young Americans, Ashes to Ashes, As the World Falls Down, and I'm Afraid of Americans. I wanted to know which songs to make note of before I got started. I wasn't going to take a shortcut or start in the middle. I wanted to see how he evolved as an artist, and I was keen to listen to soundtracks and side projects as well as the main albums. I didn't know what was going on until Young Americans because I certainly didn't understand most folk, glam, or avant-garde music yet and was used to David with the low voice and the awesome suits, but the albums made sense after I listened to them again later.
Unfortunately, I hadn't finished my marathon by the time Lazarus came out. "Oh, Bowie released a new song. Better check it out." I started crying the second I saw him, because I knew he was dying and all of this interest would be for someone I'd only be able to love posthumously. It broke my heart, fam. I was grateful for being alive at the same time as him, I suppose, but it hurt a lot. I questioned what my time on this earth means because I'd formed an attachment to this artist who could never be replaced. It's never easy.
I'd completed the dive a few months later, not really sure of what my goal was. Obviously, I couldn't shake the fact that David Bowie had passed away, but it was musical curiosity that made me want to finish. I didn't want to consider it a tribute or an attempt to pay respects. I wanted to know what made him David Bowie, just as you've wanted to as another intellectual music listener. His artistry stands for itself just as David Bowie represented himself as David Bowie.
Rebel Rebel wasn't only a catalyst for me to listen to David Bowie. It was a catalyst for a lot of people who inspired others. Joan Jett and Madonna, two of the icons, have gone on record saying Rebel Rebel made them want to be touring musicians. Joan has since decided Future Legend is her favorite David Bowie track and quoted it word for word in interviews, and Madonna has talked about her first concert ever being a David Bowie Diamond Dogs show. Both covered Rebel Rebel after David passed because it was their inspiration to be themselves and push boundaries, and their attachment to Diamond Dogs as an album and David Bowie as a whole stemmed from hearing Rebel Rebel, whether they'd heard Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane songs first. It's his 2nd most-covered song besides Heroes, one of the most popular songs he ever released, and obviously a timeless classic.
This comment may come across as being very scatterbrained and imprecise, and it really is, but ultimately I want to say thank you for having this experience and going through Bowie's material with all of us, Justin. You've listened to a ton of artists on your channels, and I hope a lot of them stand out to you, Bowie being one that you can truly admire. Your path is very unique and interesting to follow. I'm grateful for the fans having gotten you into the incredible music we feel passionate about. You're great at analyzing these songs, and your viewpoints are refreshing. It's a joy to follow along with. Keep up the great work! ❤
That was beautiful! 😄
Chris, we've met on many a Bowie video, but never have I read something more touching. Thank you for sharing that. I remember where I was when I heard my first Bowie song and it's been a life long journey. Honestly, he's been my constant companion. Thanks JP and Chris!
That was great 👍
Chris, wow. Thank you for taking the time to write that, it was fantastic to read your experience with Bowie and how you "accidentally" rediscovered him. I love how you and your mom looked him up as well initially.
Seriously, thank you
Thanks for sharing, Chris. I can see that you are closer to my kids' age than to mine, and yet you felt Bowie's passing in the same way I did. His career spanned generations, as did his appeal. I'm sure Rebel Rebel was the genesis of many life long relationships with his incredible catalog.
I think David Bowie saved a lot of young people’s lives by his constant message that being different is how we are supposed to be! You always get it!☮️❤️🧸
"He's more than a human being; he's this thing that we've all had since childhood. None of us got to call him up and have lunch with him and stuff. And that hasn't changed. That will never change. The music and what he did to style and our hearts is untouchable. There's so much of David Bowie that lives in us that never goes away. I think his influence that is immortality. He lives in anybody who has a fucking idea about culture. At least we have that, and we always have that. He gave that to all of us." Doc Hammer on David Bowie. If you don't know who Doc Hammer is, look him up.
"I will play the last few seconds of 'Sweet thing/Reprise', leading into 'Rebel Rebel'"
God bless you, JP :-D !
Very nice and thoughtful reaction, thanks a lot ! I hadn't realized until today how many anthems Bowie created throughout his carrer : 'Life on Mars', 'All the young dudes', 'Rebel Rebel', 'Heroes', 'Teenage wildlife', 'Let's dance'... So many songs talking so intimately to people and cheering them up, just like you mentioned : maybe this is one mark of real talent, if not genius :).
Keep up the good work !
PS : definitely, one of my cats !
Love your thoughts here. Part of what makes us Bowie devotees what we are is that, especially in the Seventies when so many of us were in middle and high school, we were considered freaks for whatever reason. Bowie told us that we were beautiful no matter what anyone else thought and that we should keep on doing what we did. He validated us at our most vulnerable. Not just in this song but others such as Rock And Roll Suicide, and in his attitude in general. While I feel he slipped up in the Eighties (but he got his mojo back in the Nineties) he remains, along with Neil Young, the biggest musical influence on me outside of prog. He was our Elvis, and when he died, I called out sick and my wife and I held each other and cried all day.
That day! I got phone calls from people I hadn't talked to in years. I ugly cried and still, when I listen to Dollar Days or I Can't Give Everything Away I get choked up.
@@anabellelei8540 I can get all the way through Blackstar until I Can't Give Everything Away and then I lose my shit entirely.
@@gregdavis4978 I know! There's Something about " If I'll never see the English Evergreens I'm running to" That just puts me away.
@@anabellelei8540 I absolutely understand.
What a great analysis of this song! This is the greatest Rolling Stones song not written by nor performed by the Rolling Stones (can't you just hear Mick Jagger singing this?). The first verse is just delightful and makes my spirit soar whenever I hear it. And its greatness is magnified by its position on the album (they just don't do sequencing like they used to). The flow from the previous song into this song is perfection.
In the early '70s Bowie sometimes wore dresses and had his hair really long. At one point he and his wife Angela looked like twins with the same haircut, you couldn't tell who was a boy or a girl.
As for the line, "You wanna be there when they count up the dudes," 2 years earlier he'd written a song called 'All the Young Dudes' for the group Mott the Hoople, it became the title track of their album which he produced. This line may be a reference to that song.
He didn't write it for them they picked it ,they were originally offered suffragette city but didn't want it . So he let them have dudes .
@@andyjames6300 The story goes that he didn't want them to break up, so he sat down and wrote it on the floor in front of them. He was in the Ziggy mindset in case they didn't accept his offer and he could put it on an album, but he and Mick wanted them to have it.
Androgyny was the word used to describe Bowie back then
Ps no relation to Andy 🥂
Rick Wakeman has said that he'd never met a recording artist like Bowie. Apparently, Bowie knew exactly what he wanted in any given song, heard it in his head in a particular way & knew what to do in order to make it work in the studio.
I'm paraphrasing, of course, but that's the gist of Wakeman's sentiment.🚬😎
Indeed - Bowie was more than a songwriter. He was a composer/producer.
I remember back a few years singing this song with some friends in a bar after a Bowie Celebration Show in London.. The memories are palpable.. there were people there much younger that joined in with us.. an amazing night, an amazing song! Thanks my friend!!🎸🎧🎸
David Bowie day! The best! I have to add, you're so right, Bowie helped generations of outsiders find a place.
Arguably the last great glam rock single. Killer guitar riff, witty androgynous lyrics and one of Bowie's catchiest melodies. YES! 😁
I'd agree on it being truly great. Not so much for "melody" as for "riff" 😊
@@progperljungman8218 The chorus is pretty gorgeous though, you have to admit.
Yes, that riff is iconic. It's up there with the likes of Layla, Satisfaction, Smoke on the Water, Day Tripper.
@@chrismeadows4216 The whole song feels like a repeated chorus with short bridges... The "chorus" lyrically doesn't alter the "melody" in my ears.
Anyways, this is one of those songs that I can't keep away from the dance floor hearing!
What a riff ! One of the all time greats !
A classic glam rock single as well as album track.
My favorite line in the song:
"You got your cue line and a handful of ludes."
If you are not familiar with the vernacular, Quaaludes were quite popular in the late 70's.
Powerful barbiturate.
Ty, I actually didn't catch/even think about it
Great reaction, glad to see u doing more Bowie! You nailed the meaning, Bowie is the patron saint of the outsiders
This is one of those Bowie classics and one of my favorites of his. The lyrics are just so relatable and the composition is pure fun.
Your description is absolutely PERFECT. Personally I love how Bowie makes this a rocker as if we the listener are in the element and he's dropping us into their experience on the dance floor where the scowls may be exhibited around them, but the music's energy is the total opposite and he, and she, don't succumb to any dismissals.
One of my fave opening riffs...ever.
Iconic song. I really miss him...
Love a bit of Bowie and it doesn’t get much better than this
This is the song that turned me into a Bowie fan. For most of my life it was my favorite song -- not favorite Bowie song, but favorite song period. Over the past 4+ decades it has been a little over-exposed to me, partly due to radio and partly my own choices. In any event, I was drawn to this track by the guitar riff, the driving beat, the lyrics, and the maximum Bowie vocal. Great reaction, Justin.
Me, too! I was out dancing and it played. It made me dive into his discography. Glad I did!
I think we can all say this song changed our lives based on these comments. If I hadn't heard this song, I'm not sure I'd be watching David Bowie reactions at all. I became a diehard over this song. It's not in my top 10, but it never leaves my top 30. I love it, and I always will.
Justin, those images just happened to remind me of an amusing website / blog that actually compares David Bowie's colorful fashions to sea slugs called "bowiebranchia." At first I was annoyed at the idea someone was taking shots at my lifelong hero until I checked it out. Amazingly beautiful images not unlike some that you just showed. I don't know if Bowie knew of it, but I think he would have found it wonderfully odd & rather flattering. Bowie fans, check it out!
David Bowie's Rebel rebel entered the UK top 40 on the 23rd February 1974 and peaked at no.5.
The top 10 this week was:
1 - Mud - Tiger feet
2 - Suzi Quatro - Devil gate drive
3 - Lulu - The man who sold the world
4 - Wombles - Wombling song
5 - Andy Williams - Solitaire
6 - The Sweet - Teenage rampage
7 - Alvin Stardust - Jealous mind
8 - Diana Ross - All of my life
9 - Cozy Powell - Dance with the devil
10 - Stylistics - Rockin' roll baby
Other tracks this week included:
Golden Earring - Radar love
David Bowie - Rebel rebel
Stevie Wonder - Living for the city
Alice Cooper - Teenage lament 74
Barry White - Never gonna give you up
Prelude - After the gold rush
Medicine Head - Slip and slide
Steelers Wheel - Star
Hudson Ford - Burn baby burn.
As I was only 7 yrs old at the time I don't recall many of these but was rather partial to The Wombles lol. Some interesting bands all the same x
I never thought the album could be matched but I’m putting Diamond Dogs up there with Station to Station. Rebel Rebel is great and always got a lot of play but I can’t get over how good everything on DD sounds/feels. Thanks for that because JP because until you covered it the other day I never heard Sweet Thing/Candidate/ST reprise. It floored me.
Same Stephen, we're being floored together
@@JustJP I haven’t heard a lot of things I probably should have by now. You are showing me plenty of new things and this s is why I’m here. XTC though ... yeah, I’ve heard that ...
The holy trinity of Bowie albums: Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust & Aladdin Sane. Of those later: Scary Monsters.
Oh yeah, Monsters not in the same league though.
The man who sold the world also needs to be included.
I'd shift it to Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, and Young Americans, personally. Scary Monsters though is my absolute favorite.
It is like trying to pick your favorite child! You love each wholeheartedly, but for different reasons. I can't pick a fave.
@@mvjonsson It sure does. It's super man!
Not that I know all of Bowie’s music as well as your other subs but this one has always been my favorite, a real rocker. Great analysis JP.
"Velvet Goldmine" is a 1998 movie about the early days of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Glam Rock in general. It is seen through the eyes of a young Englishman who wants to be a Music Journalist because of his admiration of Bowie.
Christian Bale, before he was a huge star himself, plays the young protagonist in a multi-layered performance. The soundtrack music is astounding. The supporting actors are uninhibited, some even unhinged -- and that's a good thing in the realm of Glam.
The singer who here represents Bowie is played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who more recently played Joe Strummer in the early days of The Clash, in the delightful "London Town". Both movies are worth seeing.
Stopped at 2:37 not because it's a specific point of interest in the song itself, but the moment everything I ever like about Bowie came rushing back to a distant memory sitting in a park with friends on a hot summer day drinking beer, and getting high.... and this song is the only one I remember listening to that day.
...and if not for my memory of this particular song, I'd have likely forgotten who I was with, my friend's Samoyed "Petey", and a neighbor and drinking partner who's no longer with us. It seems as if I can recall distant memories tied to Bowie songs and that alone makes me think he had a bigger influence on me than I can put in words.
Gotta love those type of memories!
@@JustJP Absolutely!
Lots of night club vibe in this album - reminds me when Bowie did a show at The London Marquee for TV (The 1980 Floor Show), which aired on the Midnight Special late Sat. night. Very surreal.
@Bob Holtzmann I remember watching that Midnight Special episode when it aired & again during the summer repeats. I could NOT get enough of it, I thought I had died & gone to heaven. Hadn't seen it in sooo many year till TH-cam. Love that I can see it now anytime I want!
@@chrisf.7980 Thanks to the success of American Graffiti and the Oldies revival, I really enjoyed seeing Wolfman Jack hosting the Midnight Special! Lots of great acts! That Bowie show, BTW, was edited down from 8 hours of live performances! th-cam.com/video/CAd_IJOiisk/w-d-xo.html
@Bob Holtzmann I know, right?! The Midnight Specials had terrific sound quality as well for their live performances. I am thankful we are able to see them all again so easily. And yes, I am aware about the extra Bowie stuff. I particularly enjoyed the out-takes as well. Thanks for the mention, you never know what others may or may not know about. It's terrific to share! 😁
@@chrisf.7980 You're welcome Chris. I checked the songs in that TV show, and it looks like much of it was for the Aladdin Sane and Pinups albums. But my favorite Diamond Dogs song "1984" was in the show.
One of the top Bowie's. I agree with those who have noted that you can imagine the Stones / Jagger doing this - I thought it WAS, way back when. Nice analysis. Animal? Something that can avoid burning forests, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, etc. Maybe a bird of prey?
Always loved this since I first heard it on Radio 1 when I was taxi driving in London when it was first released, pulled over to hear it through; great! it was part of Bowie's 198Floor Show an attempt to create a musical version of George Orwell's 1984 but he couldn't get rights from Orwell's estate so he did the dystopian Diamond Dogs instead.
My early teenage years right there!
Best DB song, and one of the coolest hooks ever.
That was an incredibly insightful reaction. I loved hearing your take on it. I agree with you. It 's a great just flat out rock and roll song but those lyrics are stand out. You rock!
This song was one of the songs David wrote for his aborted 1984 musical, the girl in the song is the Julia character from Orwell's book, and the song is written from Winston Smith's point of view as assesses her from a distance.
With the way we humans are treating this planet, I don't want to ever come back as an animal. Hell, I'd be hard-pressed to say 'yes' to coming back as a human.
It just swings, baby!!!
JP, thrilled to see you doing this so soon after "The Candidate / Sweet Thing / Candidate Reprise" since they do follow so closely. It seems best to keep up the continuity, especially for all those hearing some of this for the first time. It always makes me happy to see younger people discovering his work, I want to believe his legacy will live on much past my own time as well. You really do his work justice. I hope you will keep up the Bowie journey, there is soooo much more yet to uncover! (I will be tuned in for more)
Thanks Chris, im quite sure his legacy will not diminish; the music and the man are just too monumental 🙂
@JustJP you are a gem! 👍
Nice reaction. This song along with Lola by the Kinks and Take A Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed were all written about transwomen that either the artist of member of the band was involved with. Reed's classic focus on the scene in NY and Andy Warhols'parties.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side was also produced by Bowie and Mick Ronson with the rest of Lou's album Transformer. There were a few key innovators of glam rock music and they all knew each other well. That's how you know a movement is serious. When there's that sense of community and family. From a few strong trees grew a vast forest.
Dude nobody does better analysis than you hardly even close love you
Maybe not for us (though I'm sure we'd enjoy it), but when you're ready you really need to give David Live a listen.
This is my favorite Bowie album. A lot going on here.
This was during his alter ego era as "Ziggy Stardust." He went back to being "David Bowie" a few years later. This cat was different. Extremely talented.
I was at that tour, Milwaukee and Chicago........whoa...that was the seventies....too impossible without time trip druges.....
JP, I listen to vocals as another instrument within the music so I don't tend to analyze the lyrics. You've given me a new appreciation of this song. Thank you ♥️
Thank you, im glad you enjoyed it🙂
This became a huge gay/outsider anthem around the world in the seventies. That's Bowie on lead guitar. Fantastic version. Springsteen performed an incredible version a few days after Bowie died.
T Rex- 20th Century Boy. (you heard that attack all the time back then if you were a man with long hair.)
20th Century Boy’s styling foretells the next decade of music. It deserves more love .
Missed your reaction to this first time around. You nailed it.
I’d like to come back as Eric Burdon, or possibly Chas Chandler.
About Bowie’s hair, in 1964 he was the founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men. Of course, it was a publicity stunt, but it did get the name Davey Jones out there. It’s a shame that he wasn’t David Bowie at that time.
It was the beginning of him learning how to manipulate the press to get attention for his band. Just a taste of things to come...
Dig the insight in the lyrics. Tons of great music from Bowie, from the beginning to the end of his musical career. Moonage Daydream is a fave of mine ( Ziggy Stardust album), Lazarus (from his last album), Dead Man Walking ( Earthling album ) and many, many more.
Jagger and Richards must have been green with envy with this one! Yes, the message is great, but the guitar riff! AWESOME! We beat this one to death when it came out and it never got old...
Wow you are dealing with one of the top 50 rock songs of the 70s but I know you can handle it can’t wait for some smiles and some analysis love you
Really appreciate the Genesis and Bowie reactions, really scratching an itch here!
Ty! I'm trying to hit all the marks😃
Great review as usual. I always felt there is a link among three of the most uptempo rockers of early Bowie, mainly due to the lyrics: Queen Bitch (inspired by the Velvet Underground), "The Jean Genie" (pure Glam) and "Rebel Rebel" (Rolling Stones). And since a previous comment (Br. Martin Dally, OSB) stated rightfully that Rebel Rebel is the greatest Rolling Stones' song not written by the RS themselves, I take this opportunity to suggest you the greatest Pink Floyd song not written nor played by the Pink Floyd: "Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung" by The Flaming Lips. It would fit a Pink Floyd best of.
I remember being captivated by the artwork in my cousin's album collection. "Diamond Dogs", "NY Dolls", Roxy Music "Country Life" XD
Like with most things, the original will always be the best. But I do like the way David reconstructed the song with his late nineties, early 2000s band. There's an especially good TV version from Later with Jools Holland. The audience is thrown off by an intro they don't recognise, what song is this ? Then the first verse is sung slowly and recognition dawns, then the original riff kicks in !
The first rework of the song was the US single edit with the LAI LAI LAI LAI LAI LAI instead of the DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO. That version did poorly outside of the clubs, but it's essentially the live version David always did leading up to the later version you're talking about. That version is worth a listen as well.
Tin Machine - Under the God (David Bowie)
Glad you like this one. It’s in a similar vein to Jean Genie from the Aladdin Sane album
As good as side 1 of DD is, it is the second side that really pushes the 1984 /dystopian theme so well. Halloween Jack and his push against authoritarianism. Love the reaction!
I know the original(this version) was better, but I was so in LOVE with the Bay City Rollers when I was a preteen & they covered this song! My favorite Roller, Eric Faulkner, that rarely sang lead, sang this song & it made me so happy : )
Great reaction Justin! You nailed it.
Ty Jeff!
@@JustJP 😎
back in the 70s i heard and saw this regularly. a colossal single. now 45 years later i'm catchin up with the lp with u. the rebellion scared me. it terrifies me now.
but
u know wot
The Almighty
knows
all about it.
I'm gonna trust Him.
David prayed
in Live Aid.
Calamity's Child.
Diggin the lyric
Excavation.
Leave no stone unturned.
be Me.
I’ve never been on lyrics as the main purpose of listening to music. However, on occasion the lyrics are great. I like how you brought that up here. In the mid-70s I was a bit of a rebel in some regards. However a lot of my friends considered me a bit of a rebel because I asked the Lord back into my life. And started a different approach. The lyrics in this song could even apply to that I was quite comfortable with my new focus and still am today.
I like that Bruce, thanks for sharing that🙂
JUST 1 OF DAVID'S MANYYYYYY GR888888 ROCK SONGS JUSTIN! :) REBEL REBEL, YOUR FACE IS A MESSSSS! R.I.PEACE DAVID :(
Bowie, was awesome. His music was art in the highest form of the word. Actually this song sounds very Rolling Stones like. Diamond Dogs as a whole is one hell of an album.
Classic Bowie, and as catchy as fud.
Cat fud or dog fud? (sorry!)
@@Llydrwydd Boom Boom... :)
Your reaction is on spot. I think you will like his song Five Years.
Awesome Reaction 😊
This might be my favourite "Stones song" 😉
Groovy! 😎
Love Bowie and Diamond Dogs. Thanks again
Did you know? Did you know that Bowie poached guitarist Adrian Blew from Zappa backstage at a Zappa show?
The best album based on "1984" the Orwell Novel. ⚡
One of the most iconic guitar riffs EVER ! And I'd want to come back as a leopard . Definitely NOT a mantis shrimp ... they're too tasty !
Lol! Dont eat me🤣
@@JustJP 😂
On the one hand it seems ridiculous that a segue from one track to the next can make such a difference to your enjoyment of a song, on the other hand, it absolutely does for me.
That's one thing that sets some artists apart from others. They really mean to make albums flow. A lot of artists just put huge songs together and release them. Bowie was all about having the track order make absolute sense when he was allowed and having these tracks enhance each other through context. They're great by themselves, but listening to Diamond Dogs as one artistic statement is a special experience.
First album I ever bought (Diamond Dogs), along with Machine Head by Deep Purple.
When Bowie is Rolling Stoneish. Great
Grewing up in the 70.s Bowie and Zappa flooded our turntables
- David Bowie (1969)
- The Man Who Sold The World (1970)
- Hunky Dory (1971)
- The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
- Alladin Sane (1973)
- Pin Ups (1973)
- Diamond Dogs (1974)
- David Live (1974)
- Young Americans (1975)
- Station to Station (1976)
- Low (1977)
- Heroes (1977)
- Stage (Live) (1978)
- Lodger (1979)
- Scary Monsters (1980)
- Let’s Dance (1983)
Add some albums with music and collaboration and you have his first 15 years, totally remarkable production. After that another 10-15 albums...
(he made an album before his David Bowie album 1969 but I am not familiar with it)
His first album is pretty charming but not on par with his later stuff
Of course, I love it. Blah blah... you nailed it. Maybe a smart bird... Raven.
I'm being me, Justin! But, if I wasn't going to be me, I'd be an owl.
You dig deep, my friend, and I love it. Telling me things I didn't bother to try to think of in my youth.
Hoping you can tell me some things about City Boy that I haven't bothered to imagine yet.
Carry on!
Haha thanks Habichiwhoooo🦉
One of my favorite Bowie songs is "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud." I haven't heard anyone react to that one yet. Just a thought.
I am hoping JP might do the whole album. Would give many people a different look at yet another side of Bowie's music. (JP, hint-hint, nudge-nudge)
I think Tre Narcisse did it. He loved it if I recall, and I think the vast majority of reactors would if they gave it a shot. Beautiful storytelling, fantastic imagery, wonderful sound. It's a very underrated song.
@@chrismeadows4216 you're right. I even commented on it. Beautiful song.
I would love to have someone react to Cygnet Committee from same album as well. I think I have only seen it done once, maybe twice on one of these channels. Another epic early Bowie tune, IMHO.
@@EdwardGregoryNYC If more people knew about it, Space Oddity wouldn't be viewed as the only great song on that 2nd album. It's a shame. They're all great, and I mean all of them. I even love Don't Sit Down.
just curious .... how many subscribers do you have .... can't wait for the Lamb
Great song. I don't think the lyrics are about acceptance. It's about affirmation, assertion . The message is do what you want, it doesn't matter what they think about you. And Bowie, always the smart guy, added that he was by his/her side. He knew who'll gonna buy the record.
I think you'd really like Steve Harley and the Cockney Rebel song Make Me Smile, easy light rocker from about the same time as this, it's also mom and dad's fave song it was out when they met
My departure from the Rock world...looking for something to play after this and one of my West Indian mates gave me an album by some band called The Wailers...
Oh no, I hope you went back at some point! Soul Rebel is probably my favorite Wailers song.
Always enjoy your reactions and your appreciation of good music. Ever reacted to the sensational Alex Harvey band. Amos moses, faith healer or framed are good tracks. 😊
Ty Colin! I've done a few track from em :)
I like the guitar tone and the riff. I was thinking what you were thinking, but you came up with "acceptance" before me. The word escaped me, but you grabbed it. I might just skip my shampoo & conditioner- in-one tonight during my shower, and so what if my hair is a mess? I'll still go out dancing. ⚠⚠⚠🛑🚫🚷📛 No, I won't. I'm broke and everything is shut down for covid virus. ☹
Listen to ‘we are the dead’. Great lyrics
Defecating ecstasy is probably one of my fav Bowieisms ever
As a gay male
This has always been my favorite song from The Legend David Bowie
Don't know if anyone's mentioned it, but this song was used in a TV advert for a perfume called Rebel (who'd a thunk it?).
Lol! Makes sense :D
There are 2 former well known English footballing brothers, Gary and Phil Neville. Their father was called Neville Neville, football fans can be quite cruel! (this is true).
RE: your question...would definitely be a wolf. Was one in prior life i think Yes, this is a good straight rocker which fits after previous tunes like a glove Might have been a bit autobiographical So many personas this guy had Wish he were still here Never failed to surprise
You got it perfect Justine. I think this song was very personal for David cuz parents talked about his appearance...I know my mother did. I would tell her to stop... That's just David leave him alone! I'd get pissed.
Kind of groovy like a Stones song the voice of David like Mick Jagger. The riff all the same through the song like satisfaction. Btw good music. Have a nice evening.
Great reaction and breakdwown with analysis. Next Bowie tune could be Jean Genie unless you are doing this whole album? . A solid rocker! I think you’ll like it......
He's doing full albums so far. The biggest push seems to be for Low, followed by Ziggy. I wouldn't be surprised if Aladdin Sane follows.
We'll finish this one and see where we go next😃
@@JustJP I’m on the bus. Waiting patiently for side B of Abbey Road. Just had to toss in my 2 cents for Jean Genie. Hey also, if you’ve done any Jimi Hendrix, Bold As Love lives up to its audacious name. Have a great weekend!
I like to think this song as the last Ziggy act.
Perfect Friday night tune. Cheers, Justin. I'm more than happy being a simple ape.
Ty winny. Fortunately there's a whole planet of us🐵
Please please PLEASE DO “FASHION” ❤️😎❤️
I'd come back as a cat
😺
A cool glam-rock song, a bit repetitive but good.
However I still prefer the "Sweet Thing" suite (which you did), "We Are the Dead", "1984" and "Big Brother"/"Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family".
But before you get there, you will have to listen to the ballad "Rock 'n' Roll with Me" !
I'd theorize that someone thought that they'd better end the first side on an up note to encourage people to flip to Side 2. Sort of interrupts the narrative, but it is an awesomely strong album, regardless.
@@kevind4850 I agree that the album is quite fragmented and not focused on a particular topic although the Orwellian theme is underlying and appears in a few tracks. that said, I agree with you that the album remains very successful overall and has a very special atmosphere (reinforced by its disturbing cover). one of my faves from Bowie !
I think the rest of the album will get non-stop love from JP. Nothing defeats the unrivaled beauty and funk and terror of Diamond Dogs side 2.
@@chrismeadows4216 I don't know what Justin will think of "Rock 'n' Roll with Me" but I'm pretty sure he'll love "We Are the Dead", "1984" and "Big Brother" !
Agreed, We Are The Dead & Big Brother are my faves on this album after Sweet Thing. JP is in for more surprises!
Next Bowie album to deep dive - Low
Peregrine Falcon!!!!