Whiplash Smile
Whiplash Smile is the third studio album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 20 October 1986 by Chrysalis Records. After his successful album Rebel Yell (1983), Idol continued his collaboration with Keith Forsey and Steve Stevens while writing and producing songs for the album.
Whiplash Smile | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 20 October 1986 | |||
Recorded | 1985–1986 | |||
Studio | Right Track Studios (New York City, New York) Unique Recording Studios, New York City[1] | |||
Genre | Rock, new wave[2] | |||
Length | 45:29 | |||
Label | Chrysalis | |||
Producer | Keith Forsey | |||
Billy Idol chronology | ||||
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Singles from Whiplash Smile | ||||
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Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
Robert Christgau | C+[4] |
Whiplash Smile received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Commercially the album noted a success similar to his previous album. It peaked at number six on Billboard 200. In the United Kingdom, it reached number eight and also peaked inside the top ten in many other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Whiplash Smile was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold more than two million copies worldwide.
Three singles were released from the album, with "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen" peaking into the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100. "Soul Standing By" was released as a single only in Australia and New Zealand.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Worlds Forgotten Boy" | 5:40 | |
2. | "To Be a Lover" | 3:51 | |
3. | "Soul Standing By" |
| 4:35 |
4. | "Sweet Sixteen" |
| 4:14 |
5. | "Man for All Seasons" |
| 4:38 |
6. | "Don't Need a Gun" |
| 6:15 |
7. | "Beyond Belief" |
| 4:00 |
8. | "Fatal Charm" |
| 3:51 |
9. | "All Summer Single" |
| 4:33 |
10. | "One Night, One Chance" |
| 3:52 |
Total length: | 45:29 |
Personnel
- Billy Idol – vocals, guitar, bass guitar
- Steve Stevens – guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, programming
- Marcus Miller – bass guitar
- John Regan – bass guitar
- Phillip Ashley – keyboards
- Harold Faltermeyer – keyboards
- David Frank – keyboards
- Richard Tee – keyboards
- Thommy Price – drums, percussion
- Jocelyn Brown – background vocals
- Connie Harvey – background vocals
- Janet Wright – background vocals
Technical
- Produced by Keith Forsey
- Recording Engineers: Dave Concors, Debi Cornish, Neil Dorfsman, Moira Marquis, Bill Miranda, Steve Tjaden, Dave Wittman
- Mixing Engineer: Gary Langan
- Assistant Mixing Engineer: Craig Vogel
- Mastering: George Marino
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[17] | 3× Platinum | 300,000^ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[18] | Gold | 25,000[18] |
Germany (BVMI)[19] | Gold | 250,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[20] | Gold | 7,500^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[21] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[22] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[23] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^shipments figures based on certification alone |
References
- https://www.facebook.com/UniqueRecordingStudios/photos/a.649655181769411/649656645102598/?type=3&theaterr
- "Whiplash Smile - Billy Idol". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- Johnny Loftus. "Whiplash Smile". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- "CG: billy idol". Robert Christgau. 10 August 1993. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- "Austriancharts.at – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0861". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Hit Parade Italia gli album più venduti del 1986". FIMI. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Charts.nz – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Swisscharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Billy Idol | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Billy Idol Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Billboard 200 Year End 1987". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Canadian album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Music Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Billy Idol" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billy Idol; 'Whiplash Smile')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- "New Zealand album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
- "Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music and Media. American Radio History Archive. 26 December 1987. p. 46. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- "British album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 April 2016. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Whiplash Smile in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- "American album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 April 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.
External links
- Whiplash Smile at AllMusic
- Whiplash Smile at Discogs (list of releases)