“People will call me a rebel, but I just feel like I’m living my life and doing what I want to do. Sometimes people call that rebellion, especially when you’re a woman.” ~ Joan Jett

A rebel is defined as a person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler.

Rising up against the establishment? Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Basically, anyone who goes against the grain. The ones who march to the beat of their own drum.

The weirdos. The punks. The misfits. The rabble-rousers.

Anyone who stands up for what they believe in, even if it goes against what society says is “acceptable” or “the norm.”

Rebellion is an act of passion. Rebellion takes courage.

Rebellion is what breathed life into rock & roll.

Music has always been an outlet for people to express their feelings and emotions—a way to be heard.

Rock and rebellion go hand in hand, and there are some songs that will never go out of style, so long as there are courageous, passionate people with a fire raging within.

I don’t mean raging in terms of anger. I mean—that flame, that spark—that je ne sais quoi that makes us feel and give a damn.

That fire raging in our hearts that drives us throw a fist (or middle finger) into the air with gusto!

Here are eight great songs about rebellion to fuel our fire:

 1. Twisted Sister – We’re Not Gonna Take It.

Classic! From their 1984 album “Stay Hungry.”

“We’re right, yeah! We’re free, yeah! We’ll fight, yeah! You’ll see, yeah!”

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2. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – Bad Reputation

“I don’t give a damn ’bout my reputation! You’re living in the past, it’s a new generation… A girl can do what she wants to do and that’s what I’m gonna do!”

Fun fact: 23 major record labels turned down Joan Jett for a record deal—so she created her own label, Blackheart Records!

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3. Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the U.K.

“I am an antichrist! I am an anarchist!”

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4. David Bowie – Rebel Rebel

“You’ve got your mother in a whirl… She’s not sure if you’re a boy or a girl…”

Bowie helped introduce “glam” to the scene, at a time when people were not used to seeing folks with an androgynous appearance.

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5. The Clash – I Fought The Law

“I fought the law and the law won…”

This is a great shake-your-fist-in-the-air-and-sing-a-long type of jam! Joe Strummer is singing about fighting the law and challenging authority—a classic act of rebellion.

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6. Green Day – Minority

This is a slightly lesser known Green Day song, but it’s a perfect anthem for rebellion!

“Stepped out of the line, like a sheep runs from the herd. Marching out of time… To my own beat now… The only way I know!”

Billie Joe is singing about staying true to yourself and doing your own thing, despite what the masses say your should do:

“A free for all, f*ck ’em all—You on your own side!”

{Bonus: She’s a Rebel}

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7. Ramones – Rock & Roll High School

The ultimate—teenage rebellion. Rock & Roll High school embodies the rebellion of youth!

“Well I don’t care about history… rock, rock, rock ‘n’ roll high school!
‘Cause that’s not where I wanna be… rock, rock, rock ‘n’ roll high school
I just wanna have some kicks, I just wanna get some chicks…”

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8. Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl

“When she talks, I hear the revolution… In her hips, there’s revolutions!
When she walks, the revolution’s coming… In her kiss, I taste the revolution!”

Kathleen Hanna helped kick-start the riot grrl movement by combining feminism with music and not giving a damn what anybody else thought.

This concludes our list! But just for kicks & giggles—here’s one to grow on: Screeching Weasel – My Right

Relephant read:

How My Inner Rebellious Teenager is Helping Me Create The Life I Want.

Author: Yoli Ramazzina

Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photo: Focka/Flickr