You’ve heard it at the grocery store. It’s played at every wedding reception since 2017. That infectious, high-pitched bassline kicks in, and suddenly everyone is nodding along to the lyrics rebel just for kicks. Portugal. The Man managed to do something almost impossible with "Feel It Still." They took a psychedelic rock pedigree, mixed it with a 1960s Motown soul sample, and created a global earworm that felt both nostalgic and weirdly rebellious.
It's a strange song. Honestly, it’s shorter than most radio hits, clocking in at under three minutes. But within that brief window, the band managed to capture a specific mood of political fatigue and personal nostalgia. They weren't just trying to make a hit. They were trying to survive a creative block that had lasted years.
The story behind the "rebel just for kicks" line
John Gourley, the lead singer of Portugal. The Man, didn't sit down to write a pop smash. The band was actually struggling. They had been in the studio for ages, throwing away dozens of songs that just didn't feel right. Then, a simple bassline changed everything.
The core hook of the song—the part where he sings about being a "rebel just for kicks"—actually borrows its melody from The Marvelettes' 1961 classic "Please Mr. Postman." If you listen to them side-by-side, the DNA is undeniable. This wasn't a secret, either. The band gave the original songwriters credit immediately. It’s that familiar "Wait, I know this" feeling that made the song explode on the charts.
But what does it actually mean to be a "rebel just for kicks" now?
In the context of the song, it’s about the passage of time. Gourley has talked about how he grew up in a very specific DIY, punk-rock world. As you get older, that edge starts to soften. You have kids. You have a mortgage. You’re not at the front lines of every protest anymore. The lyrics reflect that tension between wanting to stay engaged and feeling like you’re just going through the motions of rebellion.
Why 1966 and 1986 matter in the lyrics
One of the most specific lines in the song mentions being a "rebel just for kicks now / I been feeling it since 1966 now." This confuses a lot of people because, well, none of the band members were alive in 1966.
It’s a reference to the era of social upheaval. The mid-60s represented a peak in counter-culture. Then the song jumps to "Might be over now, but I feel it still / Might've left it in 1986 now."
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Why 1986?
That’s roughly when the band members were born or growing up. It’s a bridge between two different generations of "rebels." It acknowledges that the spirit of the 60s might be dead in a literal sense, but the feeling—that itch to push back against the status quo—is still vibrating in the background. It’s a song about aesthetic rebellion versus actual change.
The accidental path to a Grammy
Portugal. The Man was never a "pop" band. Before "Feel It Still," they were the darlings of the indie-rock circuit, known for weird, sprawling albums and trippy live shows. They were the guys playing Coachella at 2:00 PM in the dust.
Then this song happened.
It hit Number 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and stayed there for a record-breaking 20 weeks. It won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The irony isn't lost on the fans. A song about the commercialization and fading of rebellion became one of the most commercially successful songs of the decade. It appeared in commercials for iPads and VitaminWater. It was everywhere.
Analyzing the social commentary
If you look past the catchy "bop-bop" backing vocals, there’s a bit of cynicism under the surface.
- The "Coming down" metaphor: The song mentions "coming down" and "the kids are all right," referencing The Who but also the literal exhaustion of a party that’s gone on too long.
- Political undertones: Released in early 2017, the song arrived at a time of massive political polarization. The line "Is it coming? / Is it coming on?" felt like a question about a looming social breaking point.
- The visual element: The music video featured a "resistance" toolkit where viewers could click on items in the video to donate to various causes or learn about social issues. This grounded the "rebel" lyrics in something tangible, even if the song itself felt breezy.
The sonic architecture of a hit
The production on "Feel It Still" is incredibly tight. It was produced by Mike D (of Beastie Boys fame) and John Hill. They stripped away the psychedelic clutter that usually defined the band’s sound.
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They kept the drums dry. The bass is the lead instrument. Gourley’s falsetto provides the melody, but the bass provides the "cool." By using that "Please Mr. Postman" melody, they tapped into the collective subconscious of anyone who grew up with Oldies radio. It’s a psychological trick. Your brain likes what it already knows, even if it’s dressed up in a new outfit.
The song works because it doesn't try too hard. It’s effortless. Or at least, it sounds effortless, which is the hardest thing to achieve in a recording studio.
Common misconceptions about the lyrics
People often mishear the "rebel just for kicks" part. I’ve seen lyric sites suggest it says "rebel just for kids" or even "rebel just for kicks now, I've been feeling it since 1996."
The 1966/1986 dates are non-negotiable points of the song's identity.
Another misconception is that the song is an anti-authority anthem. It’s actually more of a self-reflection. It’s Gourley asking himself if he’s still the person he used to be. Is he still a rebel, or is he just "doing it for kicks" now? It’s an honest look at how adulthood changes your relationship with your own ideals.
How to use the "Feel It Still" vibe in your own playlists
If you’re building a setlist or a playlist around this track, you have to look for songs that bridge the gap between vintage soul and modern indie. You can't just throw on generic Top 40.
Think about tracks like "Electric Feel" by MGMT or "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys. These songs all share a similar DNA: a heavy emphasis on a rhythmic hook, a bit of a retro "stomp," and vocals that don't take themselves too seriously.
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The song fits perfectly in that "modern vintage" category that took over the mid-2010s. It’s a sound that works as well in a dirty rock club as it does in a high-end boutique.
Practical steps for digging deeper into the band
If "Feel It Still" is the only song you know by Portugal. The Man, you’re missing out on a massive, weird discography. They aren't a one-hit wonder; they are a long-running art project that happened to have a massive hit.
- Listen to the album Woodstock: This is the record that features "Feel It Still." It’s polished, high-energy, and explores the themes of 1960s idealism versus modern reality much more deeply.
- Go back to Evil Friends: This album was produced by Danger Mouse. It’s darker, more experimental, and shows the bridge between their "indie" roots and their "pop" success.
- Check out their live sessions: The band is famous for jamming. Their live versions of "Feel It Still" often devolve into Pink Floyd-style psychedelic breakdowns, which is a far cry from the 2-minute radio edit.
- Explore the "Please Mr. Postman" connection: Go back and listen to the original Marvelettes track. Notice how the rhythmic cadence of the "Wait!" in the original is mirrored in the "Ooh!" of the Portugal. The Man version.
Understanding the lyrics rebel just for kicks requires looking at the song as a piece of collage art. It’s a mix of 60s soul, 80s nostalgia, and 2010s anxiety. It’s a catchy way of asking: "Am I still relevant?" And for a few years, at least, the answer for Portugal. The Man was a resounding yes.
The track remains a staple of modern music history because it didn't try to be a "rebel" song by screaming. It did it by dancing. Even if the rebellion is just for kicks, sometimes that’s enough to start a conversation.
To fully appreciate the craftsmanship, try listening to the instrumental version of the track. You'll notice the subtle percussion layers and the way the bass interacts with the "hand-claps." It’s a masterclass in minimalist pop production that still manages to feel "big."
Next Steps:
- Listen to the The Marvelettes original "Please Mr. Postman" to hear the melodic foundation of the hook.
- Compare the radio edit of "Feel It Still" with the live versions on YouTube to see the band's psychedelic roots.
- Explore the full Woodstock album to understand the political context the band was writing in.