See the way he walks down the street

Gene Pitney died.

He wrote one of my all-time-favorite songs, "He's a Rebel," which I discovered early, by way of getting really into Phil Spector's stuff.

Of course, this brings me back to thinking about Darlene Love--the lead vocalist on that classic song (usually when recordings say "The Crystals," it was Darlene and various back-up singers). She barely got any credit, and Love was one of those (there were many) who was fucked over by Crazy Phil, financially and psychologically.

I always put this one on mixes for dudes. It was *so* punk rock to me, when I was younger.

Darlene's powerhouse, soaring voice coupled with that jangle, those lyrics, it's so happy and hot and defiant and teenage. It still has total attitude and gets me in my gut everytime I hear it, still...


HE'S A REBEL
(Gene Pitney)
The Crystals

See the way he walks down the street
Watch the way he shuffles his feet
How he holds his head up high
When he goes walking by-y-y-y-y-y
He's my guy
When he holds my hand I'm so proud
'Cos he's not just one of the crowd
I bet he's always the one
To try the things I've never done
and just because of that they will say -- Hey!

He's a rebel and he'll never ever be - any good
He's a rebel 'cos he never ever does - what he should
And just because he doesn't do what - everybody else does
That's no reason why I can't give him all my love
He is always good to me - always treats me tenderly
He's not a rebel, no-no-no
He's not a rebel, no-no-no - to me-e-e-e

If they don't like him that way
They won't like me after today
I'll be standing right by his side - when they say

He's a rebel and he'll never ever be - any good
He's a rebel 'cos he never ever does - what he should and just because he doesn't do what - everybody else does

That's no reason why - we can't share a love
He is always good to me - always treats me tenderly

He's not a rebel, no-no-no
He's not a rebel, no-no-no - to me-e-e-e (he's not a rebel - no-no-no)
No-no-no (he's not a rebel - no-no-no) (he's not a rebel - no-no-no)
No-no-no (he's not a rebel - no-no-no)