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"'''He's a Rebel'''" is a pop/rock song credited to the [[girl group]] [[The Crystals]] (although actually recorded by [[The Blossoms]]), reaching No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart in November [[1962 in music|1962]]. Written by [[Gene Pitney]] and produced by [[Phil Spector]], it is considered one of the definitive examples of the Spector-produced [[girl group]] sound.
"'''He's a Rebel'''" is a pop/rock song credited to the [[girl group]] [[The Crystals]] (although actually recorded by [[The Blossoms]]), reaching No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart in November [[1962 in music|1962]]. Written by [[Gene Pitney]] and produced by [[Phil Spector]], it is an example of the Spector-produced [[girl group]] sound.


In 2004, the song was ranked No. 263 on [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6596108/hes_a_rebel/1|title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|publisher=RollingStone.com|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref>
In 2004, the song was ranked No. 263 on [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6596108/hes_a_rebel/1|title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|publisher=RollingStone.com|accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The song is about a girl in love with a young man who spurns society's conventions. Despite his being misunderstood by others, the singer claims that he is sweet and faithful, and she vows to be the same towards him. Studio musician [[Steve Douglas (saxophonist)|Steve Douglas]] performs a saxophone solo during the song's bridge. The piano riff at the beginning was contributed by [[Al DeLory]]. Unusually for Spector productions, no [[string instrument|strings]] played on the track.
The song is about a girl in love with a young man who spurns society's conventions. Despite his being misunderstood by others, the singer claims he is sweet and faithful and vows to be the same towards him. [[Steve Douglas (saxophonist)|Steve Douglas]] performs a saxophone solo during the song's bridge. The piano riff at the beginning was contributed by [[Al DeLory]]. Unusually for Spector productions, no [[string instrument|strings]] played on the track.


Pitney had originally written "He's a Rebel" for [[The Shirelles]], but they declined. Spector learned that [[Vikki Carr]] was soon to record the song for [[Liberty Records]] as her debut single, and decided he had to rush his own version to stores. The Crystals were touring on the east coast at the time, and so Spector instead had [[The Blossoms]], a Los Angeles-based group record the track. Spector gave The Crystals credit on the record; [[Mary Thomas (singer)|Mary Thomas]] later recalled that "our mouths fell open" when she and her groupmates heard a radio disc jockey announce "the new Crystals song." The quintet was then obliged to add "He's a Rebel" to their live repertoire, even though lead singer Barbara Alston's soft voice could not mimic Blossoms lead singer [[Darlene Love]]'s hearty delivery. For this reason, fifteen-year-old [[Dolores "LaLa" Brooks]] was promoted to the role of lead singer the following year starting with their follow-up single "[[Then He Kissed Me]]".
Pitney wrote "He's a Rebel" for [[The Shirelles]], but they declined. Spector learned [[Vikki Carr]] was to record it for [[Liberty Records]] as her debut, and wanted his own version on sale first. The Crystals were touring on the east coast of the USA at the time, so Spector had [[The Blossoms]], a Los Angeles group, record the track. He credited The Crystals on the record; [[Mary Thomas (singer)|Mary Thomas]] recalled that "our mouths fell open" when she and her groupmates heard a disc jockey announce "the new Crystals song." The quintet was then obliged to add "He's a Rebel" to their live repertoire, even though lead singer Barbara Alston could not mimic Blossoms lead singer [[Darlene Love]]. For this reason, 15-year-old [[Dolores "LaLa" Brooks]] became the lead singer the following year with the follow-up "[[Then He Kissed Me]]".


The single, with the artist listed simply as "The Crystals," was released in late August 1962, with the b-side "I Love You Eddie." By November 3, "He's a Rebel" had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The number two song that week was Gene Pitney's "[[Only Love Can Break a Heart]]", giving him (as a songwriter and/or performer) the two top-selling singles in the U.S. Pitney would never hit No. 1 as a performer. In the [[UK Singles Chart|United Kingdom]], "He's a Rebel" peaked at No. 19.
"He's a Rebel" was released in late August 1962, with the b-side "I Love You Eddie." By November 3, "He's a Rebel" had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The number two song was Pitney's "[[Only Love Can Break a Heart]]", giving him a songwriter or performer) the two top-selling singles in the U.S. Pitney never hit No. 1 as a performer. In the [[UK Singles Chart|United Kingdom]], "He's a Rebel" peaked at 19.


===Personnel===
===Personnel===
Line 36: Line 36:
[[Barbi Benton]] recorded a cover on her 1976 album ''Something New''.
[[Barbi Benton]] recorded a cover on her 1976 album ''Something New''.


In 1977, The Boones recorded a cover version. It was published as the B Side of the [[Debby Boone]] single "[[You Light Up My Life (song)|You Light Up My Life]]". After releasing Boone's debut album, a cover of the [[ABBA]] song "[[Hasta Mañana]]" replaced "He's a Rebel" in a later pressing of the single.
In 1977, The Boones recorded a cover as the B side of the [[Debby Boone]]'s "[[You Light Up My Life (song)|You Light Up My Life]]". After Boone's debut album, a cover of the [[ABBA]] song, "[[Hasta Mañana]]", replaced "He's a Rebel" in a later pressing.


Also in 1977, Los Angeles-based Punk band the Zippers recorded a cover version.
Also in 1977, Los Angeles-based Punk band the Zippers recorded a cover version.


[[Maureen McGovern]] recorded a cover version on her 1979 [[Maureen McGovern (album)|self-titled album]].
[[Maureen McGovern]] recorded a cover on her 1979 album.


[[Alisha's Attic]] recorded a [[cover version]] for the soundtrack to the 1997 film ''[[Bean (film)|Bean]]''. [[The Morning Benders]] also covered the song in their ''Bedroom Covers'' EP (2008).
[[Alisha's Attic]] recorded a cover for the 1997 fil,m ''[[Bean (film)|Bean]]''. [[The Morning Benders]] covered it in their ''Bedroom Covers'' EP (2008).


In 2011, the song was sampled by electro-rap duo Chiddy Bang for their song, "Rebel." <ref>{{cite web|author=Luis Tovar |url=http://prettymuchamazing.com/mp3/mp3-chiddy-bang-rebel |title=MP3: Chiddy Bang – "Rebel" at Pretty Much Amazing &#124; PMA |publisher=Prettymuchamazing.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-06}}</ref>
In 2011, the song was sampled by electro-rap duo Chiddy Bang for "Rebel." <ref>{{cite web|author=Luis Tovar |url=http://prettymuchamazing.com/mp3/mp3-chiddy-bang-rebel |title=MP3: Chiddy Bang – "Rebel" at Pretty Much Amazing &#124; PMA |publisher=Prettymuchamazing.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-06}}</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
The song is cited in the movie ''[[True Romance]]'' by the character of Alabama when Clarence asks her what kind of music she likes.
The song is cited in the movie ''[[True Romance]]'' by the character of Alabama when Clarence asks her what music she likes.


The lyric from the song "He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good" is referenced in the song "Dentist!" from the musical [[Little Shop of Horrors (musical)|''Little Shop of Horrors'']] as "He's a dentist and he'll never ever be any good." This lyric is song by the three chorus girls who are named Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon after the sixties girl groups.
The lyric "He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good" is in the song "Dentist!" from the musical [[Little Shop of Horrors (musical)|''Little Shop of Horrors'']] as "He's a dentist and he'll never ever be any good." This is song by three chorus girls named Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon after the sixties girl groups.


The song was also used in [[The Simpsons]] episode [[The Haw-Hawed Couple]] when Bart and Nelson were walking through the back corridors of the elementary school parodying a scene from [[Goodfellas]].
The song was used in [[The Simpsons]] episode [[The Haw-Hawed Couple]] as Bart and Nelson walkedg through the corridors of the elementary school parodying a scene from [[Goodfellas]].


==Sample==
==Sample==

Revision as of 18:44, 20 December 2014

Not to be confused with He's a Rebel (Donna Summer song).
"He's a Rebel"
Song

"He's a Rebel" is a pop/rock song credited to the girl group The Crystals (although actually recorded by The Blossoms), reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1962. Written by Gene Pitney and produced by Phil Spector, it is an example of the Spector-produced girl group sound.

In 2004, the song was ranked No. 263 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[1]

History

The song is about a girl in love with a young man who spurns society's conventions. Despite his being misunderstood by others, the singer claims he is sweet and faithful and vows to be the same towards him. Steve Douglas performs a saxophone solo during the song's bridge. The piano riff at the beginning was contributed by Al DeLory. Unusually for Spector productions, no strings played on the track.

Pitney wrote "He's a Rebel" for The Shirelles, but they declined. Spector learned Vikki Carr was to record it for Liberty Records as her debut, and wanted his own version on sale first. The Crystals were touring on the east coast of the USA at the time, so Spector had The Blossoms, a Los Angeles group, record the track. He credited The Crystals on the record; Mary Thomas recalled that "our mouths fell open" when she and her groupmates heard a disc jockey announce "the new Crystals song." The quintet was then obliged to add "He's a Rebel" to their live repertoire, even though lead singer Barbara Alston could not mimic Blossoms lead singer Darlene Love. For this reason, 15-year-old Dolores "LaLa" Brooks became the lead singer the following year with the follow-up "Then He Kissed Me".

"He's a Rebel" was released in late August 1962, with the b-side "I Love You Eddie." By November 3, "He's a Rebel" had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The number two song was Pitney's "Only Love Can Break a Heart", giving him a songwriter or performer) the two top-selling singles in the U.S. Pitney never hit No. 1 as a performer. In the United Kingdom, "He's a Rebel" peaked at 19.

Personnel

Cover versions

Barbi Benton recorded a cover on her 1976 album Something New.

In 1977, The Boones recorded a cover as the B side of the Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life". After Boone's debut album, a cover of the ABBA song, "Hasta Mañana", replaced "He's a Rebel" in a later pressing.

Also in 1977, Los Angeles-based Punk band the Zippers recorded a cover version.

Maureen McGovern recorded a cover on her 1979 album.

Alisha's Attic recorded a cover for the 1997 fil,m Bean. The Morning Benders covered it in their Bedroom Covers EP (2008).

In 2011, the song was sampled by electro-rap duo Chiddy Bang for "Rebel." [3]

Trivia

The song is cited in the movie True Romance by the character of Alabama when Clarence asks her what music she likes.

The lyric "He's a rebel and he'll never ever be any good" is in the song "Dentist!" from the musical Little Shop of Horrors as "He's a dentist and he'll never ever be any good." This is song by three chorus girls named Crystal, Ronette and Chiffon after the sixties girl groups.

The song was used in The Simpsons episode The Haw-Hawed Couple as Bart and Nelson walkedg through the corridors of the elementary school parodying a scene from Goodfellas.

Sample

He's a Rebel
"He's a Rebel", The Crystals. 29 second extract.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

References

  1. ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  2. ^ ‘’Phil Spector: Back to MONO (1958-1969)’’ ABKCO Records, 1991, liner notes
  3. ^ Luis Tovar. "MP3: Chiddy Bang – "Rebel" at Pretty Much Amazing | PMA". Prettymuchamazing.com. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  • Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits. Billboard Books.
  • Ribowsky, Mark (2000). He's A Rebel: Phil Spector, Rock and Roll's Legendary Producer. Cooper Square Press.
  • Unterburg, Richie. Allmusic review. Retrieved April 3, 2007.
Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
November 3, 1962 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
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