Billy Idol (album)

Billy Idol
Studio album by Billy Idol
Released	16 July 1982
Recorded	1981–82 Westlake Recording Studios
Genre	Rock new wave punk
Length	39:51
Label	Chrysalis
Producer	Keith 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
"Hot in the City" Released: 27 May 1982 "White Wedding" Released: 23 October 1982

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	B[2]
Smash Hits	1/10[3]

Billy Idol is the eponymous debut studio album by English rock vocalist Billy Idol, released on 16 July 1982 by Chrysalis Records. After his departure from 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.

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.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Come On, Come On"	Billy Idol Steve Stevens	4:00
2.	"White Wedding" (Part 1)	Idol	4:11
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"	Idol Keith Forsey	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	1:08
Total length:			39:51

1983 Reissue and CD
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
10.	"Dancing with Myself"	Idol Tony James	3:20
Total length:			42:03

Credits and personnel

• Billy Idol – vocals, guitar, arrangements
• Steve Stevens – guitars, arrangements
• Phil Feit – bass
• Steve Missal – drums
• Keith Forsey – producer
• Brian Reeves – engineer
• Steve Bates – assistant engineer
• Brian Gardner – mastering
• Jules Bates – photography
• Perri Lister – make-up
• Janet Levinson – design

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

Country	Certification	Sales
United States	Gold	500,000

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.

External links

• Billy Idol at AllMusic
• Billy Idol (album) at Discogs (list of releases)