Billy Idol (album)

Billy Idol is the self-titled debut studio album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 16 July 1982 by Chrysalis Records. After the breakup of the band Generation X and the release of his first solo extended play, Don't Stop (1981), Idol began working on his debut album. Produced by Keith Forsey, Billy Idol is a rock album with strong influences of new wave music.

Billy Idol
Studio album by
Billy Idol
Released16 July 1982 (1982-07-16)
Recorded1981–1982
StudioWestlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles
GenreRock, new wave
Length39:51
LabelChrysalis
ProducerKeith Forsey
Billy Idol chronology
Don't Stop
(1981)		 Billy Idol
(1982)		 Rebel Yell
(1983)
Alternative cover
Cover for the 1983 reissue of the album.
Singles from Billy Idol
  1. "Hot in the City"
    Released: 27 May 1982
  2. "White Wedding"
    Released: 23 October 1982
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauB[2]
Smash Hits1/10[3]

Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success, peaking at number forty-five on the Billboard 200. Billy Idol was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Three singles were released from the album: "Dancing with Myself" was already released in 1981 as Idol's debut single. The lead single, "Hot in the City", peaked at number twenty-three on the Billboard 100. "White Wedding" was released as the album's second single. After it peaked at number three on Mainstream Rock chart in 1983, the album was reissued with an addition of the earlier single "Dancing with Myself". The song "White Wedding (Part 1)" is so-named due to the less-heard "White Wedding (Part 2)", which is a more synthesiser-based continuation of the first part. It can be heard on the 12-inch version of the single and the compilation Vital Idol (1985).

Track listings
Original LP (1982)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Come On, Come On"
4:00
2."White Wedding" (Part 1)
  • Idol
4:12
3."Hot in the City"
  • Idol
3:40
4."Dead on Arrival"
  • Idol
3:54
5."Nobody's Business"
  • Idol
4:06
6."Love Calling"
4:48
7."Hole in the Wall"
  • Idol
4:14
8."Shooting Stars"
  • Idol
  • Stevens
4:30
9."It's So Cruel"
  • Idol
  • Philip Hawk
5:20
10."Congo Man" (Reprise of "Love Calling")
  • Idol
  • Forsey
1:08
Total length:39:51
1983 Reissue and CD
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Dancing with Myself"
3:20
Total length:42:03

Personnel
  • Billy Idol – vocals, guitar, arrangements
  • Steve Stevens – guitars, keyboards, synthesizer, arrangements, bass (track 6)
  • Phil Feit – bass
  • Steve Missal – drums
Additional musicians[4]
Technical
  • Keith Forsey – producer
  • Brian Reeves – engineer
  • Steve Bates – assistant engineer
  • Brian Gardner – mastering
  • Jules Bates – photography
  • Perri Lister – make-up
  • Janet Levinson – design
Note
  • Track 11 recorded September 1980, AIR Studios, London; produced by Keith Forsey and engineered by Nigel Walker;[6] originally released on Don't Stop (1981)

Chart performance
Chart (1982) Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200 45
Australian Albums Chart 66
New Zealand Albums Chart 5
Swedish Albums Chart 49

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[7] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[8] Platinum 15,000^
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 500,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

References
  1. Ruhlmann, William. "Billy Idol - Billy Idol", AllMusic, All Media Network. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  2. Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: Billy Idol", Robert Christgau, 10 August 1993. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  3. Bostock, David. Smash Hits, p. 23, 8–21 July 1982. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  4. Idol, Billy (2014). Dancing With Myself. London, England: Simon & Schuster. pp. 125, 145, 164, 168. ISBN 978-0-85720-559-9.
  5. Eldenius, Erik. "What Do You Know About...? Keith Forsey". moderndrummer.com. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  6. Don't Stop on Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  7. "Canadian album certifications – Billy Idol – Billy Idol". Music Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  8. "New Zealand album certifications – Billy Idol – Billy Idol". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  9. "American album certifications – Billy Idol – Billy Idol". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 21 November 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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