What makes Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work by Steven Van Zandt notable?

This compilation highlights Van Zandt's influence in both music and activism, notably for the song 'I Am a Patriot', which has become an anthem for various social movements. The album received critical acclaim for its blend of rock with political messaging, further solidifying Van Zandt's reputation as a crucial figure in the intersection of music and social change. Released in 2019, 'Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work' marks a retrospective collection showcasing Steven Van Zandt's formative years as a solo artist. This album compiles tracks from his early career, including live performances and unreleased material, reflecting his evolution from sideman to a vocal advocate for social justice through music.

Who is Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work for?

Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, exuberant energy throughout and socially conscious themes explored.

How many songs are on Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work?

Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work has 156 tracks, running approximately 551 minutes.

Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work

Steven Van Zandt · 2019

551 min · 156 tracks · hard rock

A gritty fusion of hard rock and socially conscious themes, driven by exuberant energy and raw, passionate performances.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Am a Patriot (And the River Opens for the Righteous) — This track exemplifies Van Zandt's commitment to activism, merging hard rock with powerful lyrics about resilience and hope amid oppression.
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Sun City — A bold protest song addressing apartheid in South Africa, it showcases Van Zandt's ability to intertwine catchy melodies with urgent political messages.
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Angel Eyes — This track features poignant storytelling and emotional depth, encapsulating the personal struggles that run parallel to broader societal issues throughout Van Zandt's work.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with peaks
exuberant energy throughout
socially conscious themes explored
gritty performances that resonate
ideal for passionate sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

dislike lengthy listening experiences
prefer straightforward, concise tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2019, 'Rock N Roll Rebel: The Early Work' marks a retrospective collection showcasing Steven Van Zandt's formative years as a solo artist. This album compiles tracks from his early career, including live performances and unreleased material, reflecting his evolution from sideman to a vocal advocate for social justice through music.
Stylistic neighbors: Bruce Springsteen· Tom Petty· Joe Grushecky

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

I Am a Patriot (And the River Opens for the Righteous)

The point in the song where the singer shifts from individual struggle to collective hope emphasizes unity against adversity.

This transition is significant as it transforms personal sentiment into a rallying cry for communal action, enhancing its impact as an anthem.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

1 Lyin’ in a Bed of Fire 4:23
2 Inside of Me 5:03
3 Until the Good Is Gone 4:01
4 Men Without Women 2:48
5 Under the Gun 3:59
6 Save Me 4:51
7 Princess of Little Italy 5:13
8 Angel Eyes 4:31
9 Forever 3:55
10 I’ve Been Waiting 3:54

Disc 2

1 Voice of America 3:31
2 Justice 3:20
3 Checkpoint Charlie 4:39
4 Solidarity 3:29
5 Out of the Darkness 4:37
6 Los Desaparecidos (The Disappeared Ones) 5:15
7 Fear 4:46
8 I Am a Patriot (And the River Opens for the Righteous) 3:30
9 Among the Believers 3:55
10 Undefeated (Everybody Goes Home) 3:57

Disc 3

1 Sun City 7:12
2 No More Apartheid 7:10
3 Revolutionary Situation 6:07
4 Sun City (Version II) 5:45
5 Let Me See Your I.D. 7:30
6 The Struggle Continues 7:06
7 Silver and Gold 4:43

Disc 4

1 Freedom 5:14
2 Trail of Broken Treaties 6:05
3 Pretoria 5:15
4 Bitter Fruit 6:18
5 No More Party’s 5:40
6 Can’t You Feel the Fire 4:38
7 Native American 5:37
8 Sanctuary 6:04

Disc 5

1 Where Do We Go From Here? 5:54
2 Revolution 5:25
3 Education 4:40
4 Balance 5:16
5 Love and Forgiveness 4:47
6 Newspeak 5:22
7 Sexy 4:03
8 Leonard Peltier 3:45
9 Liberation Theology 4:50
10 Discipline 6:17

Disc 6

1 Born Again Savage 4:38
2 Camouflage of Righteousness 5:01
3 Guns, Drugs, and Gasoline 4:59
4 Face of God 7:38
5 Saint Francis 8:17
6 Salvation 5:09
7 Organize 2:13
8 Flesheater 6:07
9 Lust for Enlightenment 8:38
10 Tongues of Angels 8:19

Disc 7

1 Rock N Roll Rebel 5:03
2 Who Told You? (Live at Gulliver’s Pub, Red Bank, NJ, June 15, 1973) 3:12
3 That’s How It Feels (Live at Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, May 30, 1976) 5:38
4 When You Dance (Rehearsal, 1976/Mono) 3:39
5 Little Darlin’ (Stone Pony Rehearsal, 1977/Mono) 4:09
6 Ain’t No Lady (Stone Pony Rehearsal, 1977/Mono) 5:13
7 Love on the Wrong Side of Town (Stone Pony Rehearsal, 1977/Mono) 4:29
8 Little Girl So Fine (Rehearsal, 1976/Mono) 3:12
9 Some Things Just Don’t Change (Stone Pony rehearsal, 1977/mono) 3:50
10 She Got Me Where She Wants Me (Stone Pony rehearsal, 1977/mono) 4:16
11 Men Without Women (1982 Radio Spot) 1:14
12 Angel Eyes (Britt Row Version/1982) 4:29
13 Forever (Britt Row Version/1982) 3:38
14 Until the Good Is Gone (Britt Row Version/1982) 4:52
15 I’ve Been Waiting (Early Version/1982) 3:57
16 Caravan (Britt Row Version/1982) 3:56
17 Save Me (Live at Peppermint Lounge, New York, NY, July 18, 1982) 5:06
18 Time (Studio Track/1982) 5:01

Disc 8

1 This Time It’s for Real (Live at Marquee Club, London, UK, October 18, 1982) 5:25
2 It’s Possible (Mono) 4:24
3 Vote! (That Mutha Out) (12” Single Version) 4:36
4 Vote! Pt. II (1984 Rap Version) 6:55
5 Vote! Pt. III (After World War III) (Rap Version/12” Single Version) 6:24
6 Vote! Pt. IV (Instrumental/12” Single Version) 4:35
7 Vote! Pt. V (1984 Rap Version) 5:10
8 Caravan (Live at Marquee Club, London, UK, October 18, 1982) 4:18
9 I Don’t Want to Go Home (Live at Marquee Club, London, UK, October 18, 1982) 4:36
10 Us Festival Radio Spot (1983) 0:21
11 Alive for the First Time (Writing Session, the Birth of a Song/1983) 9:10
12 Voice of America Radio Spot (1984) 1:08
13 Out of the Darkness (12” Single Version) 5:32
14 Inside of Me (French Tv/1983) 5:15

Disc 9

1 Let Me See Your I.D. (Extended Mix/12” Single Version) 9:52
2 Let Me See Your I.D. (Extended Street Mix/12” Single Version) 6:43
3 Let Me See Your I.D. (Beat and Scratch Mix/12” Single Version) 5:14
4 Not So Far Away (Dub Mix/UK 12” Single Version) 5:56
5 Sun City (Last Remix/UK 12” Single Version) 9:35
6 Soweto Nights 4:56
7 The Struggle Continues (Extra Miles Davis Version) 9:54

Disc 10

1 Bitter Fruit (Cana No Mas Dub Mix/UK 12” Single Version) 6:48
2 Bitter Fruit (No Pasaran Mix/UK 12” Single Version) 8:15
3 Bitter Fruit (Platano Quemado Mix with Steel Drums/UK 12” Single Version) 6:53
4 Fruta Amarga (12” Single Version) 5:52
5 No More Party’s (For Those About to Party…) (rock mix/12” single version) 5:37
6 No More Party’s (funky party edit/R&B mix/UK 7” single cersion) 4:18
7 Vote Jesse in (Jesse Jackson Campaign Song) 4:45
8 Revolution (Naked City Mix/UK 12” Single) 9:46
9 Revolution (Naked City Mix Pt. 2/Maceo’s Thang/UK 12” Single) 5:44
10 I Wish It Would Rain (Vin Scelsa Hungerthon, 1995) 3:16
11 Princess of Little Italy (Vin Scelsa Hungerthon/1989) 6:03
12 It’s Been a Long Time (Solo Acoustic) 4:18