The Secret Quest For Love, Romance, & Sex:
Meet the Rebel Charmer
As part of honoring our commitment to cultural humility and anti-oppressive practices in research, our CIAB team took great care in honoring the voices of all of our participants, and gained feedback each step of the way through collaboration with the Asian American community.
The Rebel Charmer’s Tracklist
The Past
The Dark Knight Scene Intro-0:06
Roar- Katy Perry 0:06-1:18
Lost Boy- Ruth B. 1:18-2:10
Numb Little Bug- Em Beihold 2:10-3:00
Electric Love- Børns 3:00-4:28
The Present
Quote 4:28-4:44
Toy- Netta 4:44-6:05
Levitating- Dua Lipa 6:05-6:56
Don’t Stop- 5 Seconds of Summer 6:56-7:55
Bad idea right?- Olivia Rodrigo 7:55-9:06
The Future
Salt- Ava Max 9:06-10:33
Villain- Bella Poarch 10:33-11:54
Only Human- Ryan Mack 11:54-14:09
aruto Scene 14:09-End
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth Anglin for her incredible artwork titled TheRebel Charmer!
Heartbreak and self-discovery resonate deeply in the Rebel Charmer’s CIAB. They bravely share how a past relationship still lingers in their life, illustrating the challenge of letting go of not only the person they once loved but also the moments and memories that shaped them. It’s understandable to feel caught between the past and the present, yearning for someone who will truly see, appreciate, and cherish them.
Click Below to Follow Along with the Rebel Charmer's Music Analysis
The Rebel Charmer's Past
The Rebel Charmer’s CIAB (Cultural Identity Audio Biography) immerses listeners in a thrilling journey of self-discovery, as its central theme revolves around plotting an escape from the confines of home in pursuit of love and adventure.
It opens with the powerful quote, “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” immediately setting a dramatic tone.
This line invites listeners to reflect on the fleeting nature of youth—encouraging them to embrace life passionately and boldly, or risk withering away, burdened by a series of regrettable choices that lead to their own ruin.
The musical backdrop begins with the empowering anthem “Roar” by Katy Perry, its uplifting melody echoing the spirit of determination and resilience. This vibrant soundtrack amplifies the sense of adventure, inspiring listeners to chase their dreams and face the world head-on. It provides defiant sound:
I guess that I forgot I had a choice,
I let you push me past the breaking point,
You held me down, but I got up.
A muffled lyric where the bass is removed I see it all, I see it now, allows for the song teen to crank up the volume
I got the eye of the tiger,
a fighter Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion,
you’re gonna hear me ROAR,
Louder, louder than a lion,
you’re gonna hear me, ROAR.
The song beautifully captures the Rebel Charmer’s longing to venture into the world independently. It then transitions into a hauntingly slow ballad, punctuated by the gentle embrace of piano melodies, deepening the journey’s emotional resonance. “Lost Boy” by Ruth B).
Where his only friend was the
Man in the, Moon,
And even sometimes he would go away, too.
Continuing with:
‘Run, run, Lost Boy,’
they say to me,
‘Away from all of reality’
Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me are free
The rebel charmer cleverly incorporates an echo on the word “free” to underscore the profound significance of achieving personal independence.
This artistic choice draws listeners in, making them acutely aware of how crucial it is to break free from constraints.
Additionally, the song employs the metaphor of Peter Pan, alluding to the phenomenon known as Peter Pan Syndrome, wherein men exhibit boyish behaviors, clinging to a carefree adolescence instead of embracing the responsibilities of adulthood.
The next song Numb Little Bug by Em Beihold begins with the quiet, muffled effect without treble –
Do you ever get a little bit tired of life
Like you’re not really happy but you don’t wanna die
Like you’re hanging by a thread but you gotta survive
‘Cause you gotta survive
Like your body’s in the room but you’re not really there
Like you have empathy inside but you don’t really care
Like you’re fresh outta love but it’s been in the air
Here, the rebel charmer is expressing the dullness of their past. How one day blends into another and another. The lyrics deceive the listener, as the music is a bouncy, happy song with piano and a clapping rhythm.
The next song, Electric Love by Børns kicks off with an infectious energy that really captures the excitement of first love and new experiences. The song has lively lyrics and a catchy drumbeat that makes you want to dance. As a teen, it is impossible not to think of the music video for the song as you listen. The video starts with naked women dancing around a fire in the woods and moves into the image of the singer coming forward to start – an adrogynous young man with long hair, short, sparkly dress hiked up. He sings:
Candy, she’s sweet like candy in my veins
Baby, I’m dying for another taste
And every night my mind is running around her
Thunder’s getting louder and louder
Baby, you’re like lightning in a bottle
I can’t let you go now that I got it
And all I need is to be struck
By your electric love
Baby, your electric love (ah)
Electric love (ah-ah)
Candy, she’s sweet like candy in my veins
Baby, I’m dying for another taste
And every night my mind is running around her
Thunder’s getting louder and louder
Baby, you’re like lightning in a bottle
I can’t let you go now that I got it
And all I need is to be struck
By your electric love
Baby, your electric love (ah)
Electric love (ah-ah)
The sexuality of the song is palpable. Many listeners suggest the song is about romance and the spark of first love, but it’s hard to disguise its sexual imagery and sexuality.
The Rebel Charmer's Present
The rebel charmer’s CIAB transitions to the present, where the teen wants the listener to understand their secret desires and the strong need to act on them.
The heart is an organ of fire,
And in all your darkest moments,
Your heart has never stopped fighting for you.
The theme of self-discovery begins with “Toy” by NettaBarzilai, an Israeli pop singer from Eurovision.
Look at me,
I’m a beautiful creature,
I don’t care about your modern time preacher,
Welcome boys, too much noise,
I will teach ya and Wonder Woman don’t you ever forget, You’re divine and he’s about to regret.
The teen wishes to run away and try out their sexuality.
If you wanna run away with me,
I know a galaxy,
And I can take you for a ride (effect, low, muffled volume), and I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight,
I need you all night, come on,
dance with me, I’m levitating.
The song is followed by a rebellious song by 5 Seconds of Summer –
You got me thinking that we could run away, and It’s getting late now.
I gotta let you know,
That everybody wants to take you home tonight,
But I’m gonna find a way to make you mine (muddled lyrics with the treble removed)
The rebel charmer needs to escape to experience some rebellious life choices they can’t make while living at home. The teen wishes to be defiant. The present ends with Olivia Rodrigo’s “Bad Idea Right?” –
And I know we’re done, I know we’re through
But, God, when I look at you
My brain goes, “Ah”
Can’t hear my thoughts (I cannot hear my thoughts)
Like blah-blah-blah (blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah)
Should probably not
I should probably, probably not
I should probably, probably not
Seein’ you tonight, it’s a bad idea, right?
Seein’ you tonight, fuck it, it’s fine
Yes, I know that he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect?
“I only see him as a friend, ” the biggest lie I ever said
Oh, yes, I know that he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect?
I only see him as a friend. I just tripped and fell into his bed
The lyrics cannot hide what the present world likely holds for the teen.
The Rebel Charmer's Future
The rebel charmer envisions a future with love, romantically and sexually – “Salt” by Ava Max:
I got my thigh highs on,
feel like Wonder Woman
That’s when you want all in,
But I’m not your woman,
When my lipstick pops and I feel like Monroe,
That’s when you want me most.
This is the second song to reference Wonder Woman by name. Often depicted in a striking, form-fitting outfit, she embodies both strength and kink, wielding her magical lasso to compel the truth from men and achieve her goals.
Wonder Woman and her lasso has been the focus of many comic commentaries about the role of women in comics. For the Rebel Charmer, she personifies a powerful woman whose unwavering determination can effortlessly sway and influence the men in her orbit, asserting her dominance in a world that often seeks to undermine it.
In the song “Villain” by Bella Poarch, the rebel charmer expresses a desire to emulate Wonder Woman’s formidable power while remaining unapologetic about not caring what others think.
This bold ambition highlights the defiance and desire for empowerment, drawing a parallel to the legendary superhero’s unyielding spirit.
Some of my favorite moments usually start with tears,
Swear that you’ll pull me closer whenever we flirt with fear,
I’ll be the villain tonight.
The seductive imagery is portrayed throughout with strong synth beats, whipping sounds, and seductive singing coupled with a haunting beat.
This explicit set of sexual songs suggests that perhaps the teen wishes to use sex as a way of breaking out of the confines of their domineering family.
The rebel charmer’s CIAB moves into a contemplation of heartache in an almost nonchalant way (Only Human Ryan Mack). The song has a catchy rhythm:
Somebodys gonna hurt your feelings
Some lovers gonna break your heart
Tear into a million pieces
Sometimes somethings fall apart
Not every day is gonna easy
You might collect somes scars
But that’s all part of being human
We will fall we will break
The end of the rebel charmer’s CIAB acknowledges that the future will be filled with mistakes. The teen needs to express this emphasis through volume, which they turn up in places of the song to remind themselves that
We’re only human anyway
and then turns down the volume.
Let the rain wash away,
All the problems of yesterday. The CIAB ends with a quote from the Naruto manga Life of Obito Uchiha – which says:
Those who break the rules are scum, that’s true.
But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum!
In the enigmatic world of ninjas, where the weight of secrecy and the threat of danger loom large, it’s important to recognize that friendship holds an extraordinary power. Even amidst strict codes and daunting expectations, the deep connection between friends reminds us that loyalty and compassion can transcend any rule. It’s this understanding that reinforces the idea that, in times of uncertainty, we can always rely on one another for support and strength.