You’ve heard it. That punchy bassline, the high-pitched falsetto, and the line everyone hums even if they don’t know the title. It’s "Feel It Still." But most people just call it the "rebel for kicks" song. Honestly, it's weird how a track that sounds like a breezy Motown throwback is actually a dense, politically charged anthem about feeling stuck between wanting to change the world and needing to pay the bills.
When John Gourley sings the rebel for kicks lyrics, he isn't just trying to sound cool. He’s navigating a very specific tension. The song was born in 2017, but it reaches back decades. It’s about the exhaustion of the modern political cycle and the strange nostalgia we have for eras of rebellion we didn't even live through.
The Story Behind the rebel for kicks lyrics
The core of the song—the part you can't get out of your head—actually "borrows" its soul from 1961. The melody of the chorus is a direct interpolation of The Marvelettes’ "Please Mr. Postman." Portugal. The Man didn't hide this. They gave credit where it was due. But they flipped the script. Instead of a girl waiting for a letter, we get a guy declaring himself a "rebel just for kicks."
Why 1966? Why 1986?
Gourley has been open about these specific dates. 1966 represents the height of the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war protests of the Vietnam era. It was a time when rebellion felt like it had a clear, moral center. Then he jumps to 1986. That’s a nod to the Beastie Boys and "Fight for Your Right." It’s the year rebellion became "kicking it." It became pop culture.
The lyrics acknowledge that while the world is still on fire, the way we protest has changed. Sometimes it feels like we’re just performing. We’re rebels "for kicks" because we have lives, kids, and responsibilities that keep us from the front lines.
👉 See also: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
What George Carlin Had to Do With It
Kinda surprisingly, the late comedian George Carlin was a massive influence on the rebel for kicks lyrics. Gourley mentioned in interviews that Carlin’s cynical but honest view of the American political system—the idea that it's all just "football teams" (Team Red vs. Team Blue)—shaped the song’s disillusioned vibe.
The line "Am I coming out of left field?" isn't just a baseball metaphor. It’s an admission of feeling out of place in a polarized world. It's the "Bernie Sanders" sentiment—feeling like the system is a "ridiculous process" but not knowing where else to go.
Breaking Down the Verse: Family vs. Revolution
One of the most human parts of the song is the first verse. It’s easy to miss if you’re just dancing.
"Can't keep my hands to myself / Think I'll dust 'em off, put 'em back up on the shelf / In case my little baby girl is in need."
Gourley wrote this while his daughter, Frances, was growing up. It’s about the literal conflict of a rock star. You want to be out there, making noise, "dusting off" your rebellious spirit. But then you look at your kid. You realize your primary job is to be there for them.
✨ Don't miss: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Then there’s the darker turn: "Got another mouth to feed / Leave her with a baby sitter, mama, call the grave digger."
That’s heavy. It’s a stark reminder that life is expensive and often brutal. You work to provide, but the world you're bringing your child into feels like it’s being dug out from under you. It’s that feeling of "solidarity without action." You feel the anger, but you’re tied down by the "easy living" or just the basic need to survive.
The "War for Peace" Paradox
The bridge hits a high note with "We could fight a war for peace." It’s a classic oxymoron. It points to the absurdity of how we try to solve global issues.
Basically, the song is a critique of apathy. It’s about the "kids in the middle." People who are just trying to get by while the walls come down around them. The lyrics "Won't bother me" aren't a statement of fact; they’re a sarcastic jab at how we pretend things are fine as long as they don't hit our front door.
Why the Song Still Hits in 2026
It’s been years since this track dominated the charts, but the rebel for kicks lyrics feel even more relevant now. We still have that lingering nostalgia. We still feel that "eclipse" in our hearts when we look at the news.
🔗 Read more: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
The genius of Portugal. The Man was making a protest song that sounds like a party. They realized that if you want people to listen to a message about political burnout and the struggle of fatherhood in a crumbling economy, you’d better give them a beat they can dance to.
- 1966 Focus: Social justice, civil rights, and the birth of the counter-culture.
- 1986 Focus: Hip-hop's rise, "License to Ill," and rebellion as a lifestyle brand.
- Modern Focus: Trying to maintain a "carefree spirit" while being fully aware of the chaos.
If you’re looking to truly "kick it" like the song suggests, don't just stop at the chorus. Look at the music video, which was originally released as an interactive "protest tool" with links to various social causes. It was the band's way of saying they weren't just rebels for the kicks—they wanted to give people a way to actually engage.
To get the most out of the track today, try listening to the "Acoustic" version or the various remixes. They strip away some of the pop sheen and let those biting lyrics breathe. You might find that the "rebel" inside you isn't just for kicks after all; it's just waiting for the right moment to come off the shelf.
Check out the band's official YouTube "Verified" breakdown to hear Gourley explain the 45-minute writing session that birthed the bridge. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most profound things come when you aren't overthinking them.