David Bowie’s "Rebel Rebel" was released in the UK in February 1974 by RCA Records as the lead single from the album Diamond Dogs. Written and produced by Bowie, the song is based around a distinctive guitar riff reminiscent of the Rolling Stones.

Recording for "Rebel Rebel" began at a solo session at Trident Studios in London following Christmas 1973. It would be Bowie's last known visit to Trident, his principal recording studio since 1968.  The recording was ultimately completed the following month at Ludolph Studios in the Netherlands.   When in the studio, Bowie said that he wanted it to "sound like the Rolling Stones".

Originally planned in late 1973 as part of an aborted Ziggy Stardust musical,  "Rebel Rebel" was Bowie's last single in his signature glam rock style.  It was also his first hit since 1969 not to feature lead guitarist Mick Ronson; Bowie played guitar himself on this and almost all the other tracks on Diamond Dogs, producing what critics called "a rocking dirty noise that owed as much to Keith Richards as it did to the departed Ronson.

Cited as his most-covered track, Rebel Rebel’ is the perfect summation of Bowie’s gender-bending glam years and one of Bowie’s final attempts to act as spokesman for a generation.  He had assumed the role since his rise to fame with the Ziggy Stardust album. 

Two versions of the song were recorded: the well-known UK single release (4+ minutes) and the shorter US single release, which featured added background vocals, extra percussion and a new arrangement.

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