Rebel Without a Clue – English Lyrics

• By: Bonnie Tyler

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Bonnie Tyler's 'Rebel Without a Clue' and discover the rich tapestry of 80s rock and the lyrical depth of Jim Steinman's songwriting. Explore themes of rebellion, heartbreak, and the struggle for identity. Learn how musical arrangements and lyrical choices can convey complex emotions, all while expanding your understanding of English idioms.

[English]

You're a tough tail-gunner in a pitch black Chevy

Cruising in the moonlight

Ooh, your aim is steady

Your eyes are hungry and your hands are ready

You shot me where you wanted

You put me in a daze

No matter where you go, you'll always be a stranger

Getting into trouble, getting off on danger

Riding out of town like a cool lone ranger

When there's nothing to lose, you gotta call your own plays

Did anybody say something incredibly stupid

Like there isn't any paradise

But I remember the songs and I remember the story

I remember the thrills and I remember the glory

So hold me, hold me in your arms

Deliver me from growing old

Hold me, hold me in your arms

Shelter me from going cold

I'm a shot in the dark without you

A rebel without a clue

Rebel without a clue

I don't know what to say and I don't know what to do

Standing on the corner in my boots and my leather

A little over the edge, a little under the weather

Just a rebel without a clue

I'm tired and lonely and crying for you

I know just when to sulk and I know just how to pose

Dirty Harry to Madonna

I've been learning all the roles

So hold me baby, hold me a little longer

Need me baby,just a little stronger, (tonight)

Move it darling,move a little quicker

Prove it darling,blood is really thicker,(tonight)

Drive on darling drive a little farther

Dream on darling,dream a little harder,(tonight)

Teach me baby,teach me how to love you

Without me you're just another rebel without a clue

(Just a rebel,just a rebel,just a rebel without a clue)

(Rebel without a clue)

(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)

(Rebel without a clue)

(Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)

It's been a long hot summer and it's just the beginning

So keep your motor running and your tires spinning

So many places that I've wanted to be in

Take me where you're going, away beyond above

We'll see a little action, relieve a little tension

Stuff I'd like to try that I shouldn't even mention

I've gone so far already, I'm way beyond redemption

There's nothing to it really

I think they call it love

Did anybody say something incredibly stupid

Like there isn't any paradise

But I remember the songs and I remember the story

I remember the thrills and I remember the glory

So hold me, hold me in your arms

Deliver me from growing old

Hold me, hold me in your arms

Shelter me from going cold

I'm a shot in the dark without you

A rebel without a clue

Rebel without a clue

I don't know what to say and I don't know what to do

Standing on the corner in my boots and my leather

A little over the edge, a little under the weather

Just a rebel without a clue

I'm tired and lonely and crying for you

I know just when to sulk and I know just how to pose

Dirty Harry to Madonna

I've been learning all the roles

So hold me baby, hold me a little longer

Need me baby just a little stronger, tonight

Move it darling move a little quicker

Prove it darling blood is really thicker,(tonight)

Drive on darling drive a little farther

Dream on darling,dream a little harder, (tonight)

Teach me baby,teach me how to love you

Without me you're just another rebel without a clue

...

So hold me baby, hold me a little longer

Need me baby just a little stronger

Move it darling,move a little quicker

Prove it darling blood is really thicker

Drive on darling,drive a little farther

Dream on darling,dream a little harder

Teach me baby,teach me how to love you

Without me you're just another rebel without a clue

(Just a rebel,just a rebel,just a rebel without a clue)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rebel /ˈrɛbəl/ B1	noun - A person who refuses to obey orders or the law. verb - To resist authority, control, or a tradition.
clue /kluː/ A2	noun - A piece of information that helps you to understand a situation or to find the answer to a problem.
danger /ˈdeɪndʒər/ A2	noun - The possibility of suffering harm or injury.
thrill /θrɪl/ B1	noun - A sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.
glory /ˈɡlɔːri/ B2	noun - High renown or honor won by notable achievements.
hold /hoʊld/ A1	verb - To have or keep something in your hand, arms, or between your body and something else.
deliver /dɪˈlɪvər/ B1	verb - To take (something) to a person or place. verb - To save or rescue (someone) from a harmful or unpleasant situation.
shelter /ˈʃɛltər/ B1	verb - To protect from bad weather, danger, or attack. noun - A place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger.
daze /deɪz/ B2	noun - A state of confusion, shock, or bewilderment. verb - To make (someone) feel confused or unable to think clearly.
stranger /ˈstreɪndʒər/ A2	noun - A person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.
aim /eɪm/ B1	noun - A purpose or intention; a desired outcome. verb - To point or direct (a weapon or camera) at a target.
steady /ˈstɛdi/ B1	adjective - Not shaking or moving; firmly fixed.
hungry /ˈhʌŋɡri/ A2	adjective - Feeling or showing a need for food. adjective - Having a strong desire or craving for something.
sulk /sʌlk/ B2	verb - To be silent, morose, and bad-tempered out of annoyance or disappointment.
pose /poʊz/ B1	verb - To assume a particular attitude or position in order to be photographed, painted, or drawn. verb - To present oneself in a particular way, especially in order to create a false impression.
redemption /rɪˈdɛmpʃən/ C1	noun - The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
tension /ˈtɛnʃən/ B2	noun - A state of mental or emotional strain or suspense. noun - The state of being stretched tight.
pitch black /ˌpɪtʃ ˈblæk/ B2	adjective - Completely dark.
paradise /ˈpærədaɪs/ B1	noun - An ideal or idyllic place or state.
leather /ˈlɛðər/ A2	noun - A material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process, used for clothes, bags, furniture, etc.

Key Grammar Structures

• You're a tough tail-gunner in a pitch black Chevy

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The verb 'are' is in the present simple tense, used to describe a permanent or habitual state.

• No matter where you go, you'll always be a stranger

  ➔ Future simple with 'will'

  ➔ 'You'll' is a contraction of 'you will', indicating a future action or state.

• I'm a shot in the dark without you

  ➔ Present simple with 'be'

  ➔ 'I'm' is a contraction of 'I am', used here to describe a current state or condition.

• So hold me, hold me in your arms

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The verb 'hold' is in the imperative mood, used to give a direct command or request.

• I don't know what to say and I don't know what to do

  ➔ Present simple with 'do'

  ➔ 'Don't' is a contraction of 'do not', used to negate the verb 'know' in the present simple tense.

• Teach me baby, teach me how to love you

  ➔ Imperative mood with object

  ➔ The verb 'teach' is in the imperative mood, and 'me' is the object of the sentence.

• Without me you're just another rebel without a clue

  ➔ Present simple with contraction

  ➔ 'You're' is a contraction of 'you are', used in the present simple tense.

• It's been a long hot summer and it's just the beginning

  ➔ Present perfect with 'have been'

  ➔ 'It's been' is a contraction of 'it has been', indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present.