Vital Idol: The Top 10
After slaving for years in Generation X, Billy Idol figured it was easy to be a pop star. At least that’s what he claimed. Of course, coming from a Punk background there was a ‘limit” to how far he’d compromise. Essentially, he stopped at mainstream Rock (with goth touches). Aided and abetted by Steve Stevens’ “shake ’em loose” guitar, Idol hit the big time. Armed with a growl, bleached white spiked hair and a whiplash smile (with the best sneer since Elvis Presley), he Rocked, even on the ballads – always a good sign.
The Top 10 are listed in reverse order – 10 -1. Each entry has the song title and year of release with a video (when available) or music slip.
10. Catch My Fall (‘Rebel Yell, 1983)
The fourth and final single from Idol’s second album was written by Idol a with sax provided by Mars Williams.
9.. Hot In The City (Billy Idol, 1982)
The lead single from Idol’s self-titled debut album charted at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
8. To Be A Lover (Whiplash Smile. 1986)
Whiplash Smile
The song was written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones and originally performed by Bell as a Soul ballad titled “I Forgot to Be Your Lover.”
A reworked version became the lead single from Idol’s third studio album and his second Top 10 hit (#6) in the US. – following “Eyes Without A Face.”
It was also Idol’s second cover he turned into a hit. ’81’s “Mony Mony” was the first.
Idol was introduced to the song by the George Faith Reggae version.
7. Flesh For Fantasy (Rebel Yell,1983)
It was written by Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens with the title inspired by the film anthology “Flesh And Fantasy” (1943).
6. Cradle Of Love (Charmed Life, 1990)
“Cradle of Love” was originally written solely by Davis Werner who shopped a demo around. Idol’s label Chrysalis expressed interest in including the track on the singer’s next album, “Charmed Life.” Idol received a co-writing credit after he made some changes and additions to the lyrics during its recording.
The song became one of Idol’s biggest hits in the U.S. where it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 behind Mariah Carey’s “Vision Of Love,”
It was also Idol’s first, and only #1 hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks survey.
Cradle Of Love
5. Mony Mony (Vital Idol, 1987)
“Mony Mony“ was originally released by Tommy James And The Shondells in 1968. It reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Idol’s first take on the song was recorded and released in ’81 where went to #7 on the Billboard Dance chart. Four years later, a live version was recorded on a promotional tour for his upcoming remix album “Vital Idol” (1985), it was released as a single in ’86 where it became Idol’s only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Cradle Of Love,” (#2), “Eyes Without A Face” (#4) and “To Be A Lover” (#6) were his other songs to reach the Top 10.
According to Idol “Mony Mony” was playing during a sexual encounter he had as a youth.
4. Eyes Without A Face (Rebel Yell, 1983)
“I started to use “Eyes Without a Face” as a possible title/lyric/chorus for the song,” remembered Idol. “I began to write words that, in some disguised form, spoke about my life in New York and a relationship gone wrong, on the edge of disintegrating into madness. In a way, those (relationships) can leave you feeling soulless, especially if you’re already in a relationship that you value but are degrading by looking elsewhere for additional sexual kicks.”
3. White Wedding (Billy Idol,1982)
In a BBC interview Idol revealed his inspiration for the lyrics. His sister was about to get married and was already pregnant and was headed for what was often described as a ‘shotgun wedding’.
2. Dancing With Myself (Billy Idol, 1982)
Idol and bassist Tony James were struck by the sight of a young Tokyo discotheque crowd dancing with their own reflections in mirrored walls rather than with one another.
1. Rebel Yell (Rebel Yell, 1983)
Another song composed by Idol and Stevens, “Rebel Yell” came into being after Idol attended an event where Rolling Stones Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood were taking swigs of Rebel Yell, a bourbon whiskey. Idol liked the name and decided to write a song incorporating it.
