Rebel Rebel

I remember this song well. I specifically remember being at the YMCA on a Saturday back in the early 1980's with my cousins heading in to go rollerskating and my cousin was being teased by his friends. They were teasing him because he was gay (I didn't even know what that meant...I was only 7 or 8 years old) but they were singing this song to him and he was very, very upset. They just kept repeating, "...you've got your mother in a twirl, she doesn't know if you're a boy or a girl..."

As far as who constructed the song, I am assuming David Bowie had a lot to do with the construction of the song and the lyrics. I believe he is trying to get the point across that he doesn't care what other people think about him or anyone else. I mean, from what I remember, David Bowie had a pink line on his face, hair spiked, and literally was a rebel in my opinion.

In terms of how others might understand the song differently than me, would be those like the boys that were teasing my cousin. In their minds, maybe it is not ok to be who you are if it affects others in your life, for example, your mother (as mentioned in the song), you should change your behavior, and in this case, your sexual preference.

The points of view presented in the song, in my view,  are be who you want to be. Don't try to please others because it will not make you a happy person. Be a rebel...do what you want to do and everything else will take care of itself. And the last point would be that the message being sent is that it is ok to be you. Wear makeup, whether you are a boy or a girl (really, what difference does it make), play this song as loud as you can and be you. Whatever your mother thinks, or others, really doesn't matter.

Here are the lyrics: