Album: Whiplash Smile
Video: From YouTube.
Billboard Hot 100 Peak: 6
MTV Top 20 Peak: 5
MTV Top 20 Weeks: 9
This was another video that deserved a higher rank given its weekly chart success and longevity. It was doomed by a November debut. Often, a video gaining popularity so late in the year was forgotten at top 100 time.
The video peaked at #5 on the last top 20 show of 1986, and held that position in the first top 20 show of 1987. As a result it became one of only two videos to appear in the top 100 countdowns for both years, placing at #78 in 1987. We'll hear about the other one very soon as it also got predictably hosed.
"To Be A Lover" was the first and most successful single from Billy Idol's "Whiplash Smile" album. The song was written by William Bell, an American soul singer who had a 1968 R&B hit with a slow bluesy version called "I Forgot To Be Your Lover".
Idol's version was nominated for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 1987 Grammy Awards (along with three songs that made the top ten in this top 100 countdown). From the opening notes, it's a powerhouse rock 'n' roller with strong female backing vocals.
As with every video on this blog, a link is provided for your viewing pleasure. Luckily, it contains exactly five very cool features:
1) Billy emerges from backstage and performs in a boxing ring. Can't get much cooler than that.
2) In huge block letters above the stage: TONITE. It's funny when words are misspelled.
3) The three ladies singing background vocals. The blonde in the middle is most famous for disappearing into a cartoon in the landmark a-ha video "Take On Me".
4) Two piano players. On the stage is a man in a brown suit and hat, sucking on a big long cigar. The one in the ring, I'm sorry I can't tell if it's a dude or a chick.
5) Just Billy Idol doing Billy Idol things. Sneering, preening, just vintage Idol.
This was another video that deserved a higher rank given its weekly chart success and longevity. It was doomed by a November debut. Often, a video gaining popularity so late in the year was forgotten at top 100 time.
The video peaked at #5 on the last top 20 show of 1986, and held that position in the first top 20 show of 1987. As a result it became one of only two videos to appear in the top 100 countdowns for both years, placing at #78 in 1987. We'll hear about the other one very soon as it also got predictably hosed.
"To Be A Lover" was the first and most successful single from Billy Idol's "Whiplash Smile" album. The song was written by William Bell, an American soul singer who had a 1968 R&B hit with a slow bluesy version called "I Forgot To Be Your Lover".
Idol's version was nominated for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 1987 Grammy Awards (along with three songs that made the top ten in this top 100 countdown). From the opening notes, it's a powerhouse rock 'n' roller with strong female backing vocals.
As with every video on this blog, a link is provided for your viewing pleasure. Luckily, it contains exactly five very cool features:
1) Billy emerges from backstage and performs in a boxing ring. Can't get much cooler than that.
2) In huge block letters above the stage: TONITE. It's funny when words are misspelled.
3) The three ladies singing background vocals. The blonde in the middle is most famous for disappearing into a cartoon in the landmark a-ha video "Take On Me".
4) Two piano players. On the stage is a man in a brown suit and hat, sucking on a big long cigar. The one in the ring, I'm sorry I can't tell if it's a dude or a chick.
5) Just Billy Idol doing Billy Idol things. Sneering, preening, just vintage Idol.
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