While I was recording a show on Grant’s Rock Warehaus, we were discussing the Billy Idol Chrysalis Years and as I was gathering my vinyl for that show, I realized that I was missing the ‘Idol Songs: 11 of the Best’ from my collection. I could’ve sworn I had bought that one before as I remember holding it in my hand at one time. But, I apparently didn’t buy it. So, I told Grant I would remedy that situation and so I head over to discogs to see if I could get one and what the best one to get. Well, it turned out the best version to get was the UK 1988 version which came with a 12″ Limited 4 Track E.P. exclusive to this set. Sold. I bought it from someone in Sweden and a week later, it was in my hands. It still had the stickers on the front and back cover talking about the 12″ Exclusive 4 Track E.P. and it was in pristine shape.
The album was released on June 20, 1988 on Chrysalis Records and contains 11 tracks from his first three studio albums as well as the E.P. and includes a live version of “Mony, Mony” which wiki says comes from the ‘Don’t Stop’ E.P. but my E.P. does not have a live version, it is the studio track. You can get another limited edition version with 2 bonus tracks, but why do that when you get one like I have with the the 4 bonus tracks. The album went to #2 on the UK Charts and was certified Platinum. I don’t really remember this album here in the States as it came out after Vital Idol and I felt that was pushed way more than this compilation. But I have one now, so all is good. In 2003, they did reissue this album with a different cover and called it ‘Essentials’…I like my version better.
The opening track is the title song “Rebel Yell” which actually opened the ‘Rebel Yell’ album. It is a scorcher of a song, high energy and attitude. The opening of the song is all done with the guitar even though it sounds like both a guitar and a keyboard. Steve is showing off right out of the gate. Vocally, Billy is on fire and you can see his lip curling up while he is signing which is amazing as it is on vinyl. “Rebel Yell” was actually inspired by the Rolling Stones according to Billy on VH1 Storytellers. Billy was at a party thrown by the Stones and everyone was drinking Rebel Yell Bourbon Whiskey. I guess he loved that whiskey (along with a lot of drugs at the time).
“Hot in the City” comes next and keeps the run of great tracks going. The song is about Billy’s time in New York and his love for the city. It is a slower dance track with some lovely ladies assisting with background vocals. He uses some synthesizers on top of the fantastic bass and drum rhythm section. It is really a stellar track and his scream of “New York” towards the end is epic.
One of the most recognizable Billy Idol songs ever is up next. “White Wedding (part 1)” became a massive hit for Billy thanks to MTV. With few videos to play in the early days, this one got on heavy rotation. A song that is not about a happy wedding. I have read different stories about what the song means. One, it is not about his actual sister. It is either about a “shotgun” wedding or about a woman he is in love with then marries someone else. Either way it is great with that now classic Steve Stevens guitar riff. “White Wedding (part 1)” is called part 1 because there is a part 2 which is a more synthesized version of the song. It was released as a 7″ dance version. Both versions can be heard together on his future release of ‘Vital Idol’.
“Eyes Without A Face” was up next. One of my favorite Idol songs. The hand clap, the groove, the slow ballady feel all worked gloriously against a darker feel from the lyrics. The song builds up in tempo and you get a fantastic little riff from Stevens and then some beautiful backing vocals by Billy’s girlfriend Perri Lister. She is singing in french “Les yeux sans visage” which means eyes with a face. The phrase was also the title of a movie directed by Georges Franju which was the inspiration for the song.
The only song Idol wrote by himself on ‘Rebel Yell’ was “Catch My Fall” and it seems to be autobiographical about his struggles with drugs. His struggles with the fame and the relief from the drugs, but asking for help if he should hit rock bottom, which he does down the road. This is another heavy bass song with the opening riff and a lot of synths on this one as well. More upbeat with a great hook and some saxophone thrown in for good measure. Another great track.
“Mony Mony” Live version is what made the song famous for Billy. The live version went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This version is fun, upbeat, danceable and Steve Stevens rips on the guitar. There is no extra remix crap it is a straight-up pop/rock song that you can move to. And I want to scream “Get Laid, Get Fucked” every time I hear it. This version is NOT on the ‘Don’t Stop E.P.’. I am sorry if you’ve been misled.
The first single on ‘Whiplash Smile’ was a cover of William Bell’s “To Be A Lover” which was co-written by Booker T. Jones back in 1968. Billy completely modernized the song and turned it in to a dance track. It has some great soulful female backing vocals and fancy piano riffs and an all around fantastic track. The song is actually quite poignant in that with his longtime girlfriend leaving him since he “forgot to be a lover” with his drug use and sexcapades with other women. It felt like he was confessing that he screwed up.
The third single on ‘Whiplash Smile’ was an acoustic guitar heavy ballad called “Sweet Sixteen” with a nice bass groove added in. It might just be the best song on the album. A nice change of pace and gave you a softer side of Billy. The story behind the song is based on a true story about Edward Leedskalnin who was dumped by his fiancée Agnes Scuffs the day before their wedding. To try and win her back, he built a monument complete with furniture made of coral, in Homestead, Florida called Coral Castle. Sadly, she still didn’t want him. Oh well, it is now a little tourist attraction…although quite weird. Edward’s nickname for Anges was “Sweet Sixteen”.
Another Idol classic, “Flesh for Fantasy” is up next and this was from ‘Rebel Yell’. Hmmm, could this be about sex? Yes, I think so. It appears to be about going out and looking for love in all the wrong places and fulfilling any fantasy your little heart desires. This song has a great bass line through out and is more new wave than rock and totally kicks ass. Another of my favorite all time Idol/Stevens songs.
The second single from ‘Whiplash Smile’ and another classic song is “Don’t Need A Gun”. The song is filled with synthesizers and over the top production. It is part rock, part hair, part new wave and full of fun especially when Billy screams out the album title “Whiplash Smile”. It isn’t the best song on ‘Whiplash’ as that goes to “Sweet Sixteen”, but is is by far the most fun and exciting. And listen to the message…don’t play with firearms!!
There is one Gen X track and it is “Dancing With Myself” and they used the single version of the song. The album, ‘Kiss Me Deadly’, this was the first single and first track and it is now a classic. I say now classic because this song failed to chart upon its release and didn’t really do much. It wasn’t until Billy released it as one of his solo songs, but that is for another discussion. The song was inspired by what the band saw while on tour in Tokyo. They noticed at that dance clubs, the people were dancing more with their own reflections in the mirrored walls then they were with other people. The song is pure New Wave dance music with a slight punk edge…classic Billy Idol solo. It is so melodic and catchy. The guitars are a little louder on this version and not as much bass, but other than that it is the song you know.
And that is the original compilation. It is fantastic and a great starter package if you just want the hits as these are definitely those. You do miss some good deep cuts, but if you want those, go buy the albums. You won’t be disappointed at all. Now, let’s look at the Bonus 12″ 4 Track E.P. as these are all remixes with some from ‘Vital Idol’…The vinyl came in a solid black sleeve, no extras here. The labels are nicely set like the labels on the album so at least they kept that theme going…
The first track is an extended version of “Eyes Without a Face”. I have this version on the 12″ Picture Disc for the song that we’ve reviewed already. It takes the song, gives it more of everything and the song is just as good as the original studio album version. I am normally not a fan of extended tracks, but they kill it with this one.
“To Be A Lover” (Mother of Mercy Mix) is up next and this should be called the Sex Mix with the woman practically orgasming with her sultry, seductive voice throughout. Damn!! I dig this mix as well. A total blast. You can get this one on ‘Vital Idol’ (1987).
The first track on Side 4 is “Don’t Need A Gun (Meltdown Mix)” and it is exclusive to these limited edition releases of this album or as a 12″ Single (not the 7″). And it’s not on Vital Idol either. It is over 7 minutes. It opens with some gun shots and then some congos, a “whiplash smile” and electronic beats. This is one of those dance club type mixes with a lot of synths, electronic drums and an extremely fast tempo. The main of the elements of the song are still there and Billy does sing the song as it isn’t all mixes and sounds. It is not a bad version and quite enjoyable. I quite like it.
The final track is a remix of “Mony, Mony” called the “Hung like a Pony Remix”...I thought you want to be hung like a horse, but okay, his aspirations are a little smaller with pony. His prerogative. I know, it is based off the pony line in the song, I’m trying to be funny and it isn’t working…get over it. This mix is just under 7 minutes long and would be played at clubs so people could dance to it otherwise, it is a hard listen. It starts off with a constant drum beat and keyboards hit the basic notes of the song. This goes on for a little while before Billy comes in with the verses. The song does feel like it was pieced together as it doesn’t have a great flow. They do repeat the line “Ride Your Pony” a lot. I could go on and on for 7 minutes about the differences, but what’s the point.
And that is it for this incredible set. I really like it as there are so many great songs and if you are only in the mood for the hits, this the way to go as it gives you the regular album versions, some single versions and even the cool remixes. A little bit of everything. I can’t say enough good things about this one. My Overall Score is a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars as if you want early Idol, this is the way to go.
Now, if you want to check out the full reviews of the entire Billy Idol Series, click on any and all of the links below…
THE BILLY IDOL SERIES:
- Generation X – ‘Generation X’
- Generation X – ‘Valley of the Dolls’
- Gen X – ‘Kiss Me Deadly’
- Gen X – “Dancing With Myself” 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Generation X – ‘The BBC Transcription Disc Series No. 126 1978’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Don’t Stop E.P.
- Billy Idol – Billy Idol
- Billy Idol – “White Wedding” – 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
- Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 12″ Picture Disc (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
- Billy Idol – “Sweet Sixteen” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – To Be A Lover – Single Review
- Billy Idol – Vital Idol
- Billy Idol – “Hot In the City” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – “Mony Mony Live” – 12″ Maxi-Single (Bonus Edition)
- Idol Songs: 11 of the Best
- Billy Idol – Charmed Life
- Billy Idol – “Cradle of Love” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Billy Idol – Cyberpunk
- Billy Idol – “Speed” (song from the Speed Soundtrack)
- Generation X – K.M.D. Sweet Revenge
- Billy Idol – VH1 Storytellers (Live)
- Billy Idol – Devil’s Playground
- Billy Idol – Happy Holidays
- Billy Idol – The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
- Billy Idol – Icon
- Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
- Billy Idol – BFI Live (#RSD 2019)
- Billy Idol – Revitalized
- Generation X – Your Generation (7″ Record Store Day Release)
- Generation X – Generation X Deluxe Edition
- Billy Idol – Rebel Waltz: Live (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Rebel Calling: Live (Bootleg)
- Generation X – ‘Demos 1977’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – The Roadside E.P.
- Billy Idol – The Cage E.P.
- Billy Idol – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First
- Billy Idol – The Best and Worst Song From Every Album
- Grant’s Rock Warehaus – Billy Idol Career Retrospective
