Billy Idol Songs Ranked

William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), known professionally as Billy Idol, is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who holds dual British and American citizenship. He first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as a member of Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career that led to international recognition and made Idol a lead artist during the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” in the United States. The name “Billy Idol” was inspired by a schoolteacher’s description of him as “idle”.
Idol began his music career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. However, he soon left the group. With his former bandmate Tony James, Idol formed the band Generation X. With Idol as lead singer, the band achieved success in the United Kingdom and released three albums on Chrysalis Records, then disbanded. In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut studio album, Billy Idol (1982), was a commercial success. With music videos for singles “Dancing with Myself” and “White Wedding” Idol soon became a staple of then newly established MTV. Here are all Billy Idol’s songs ranked.

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20. One Night, One Chance (Whiplash Smile, 1986)

“On Whiplash Smile. Awesome song! Cool sound that builds and rocks! Tops Rebel Yell, White Wedding, and all the other great songs of Billy Idol.”

19. Can’t Break Me Down (Kings & Queens of the Underground, 2014)

“Dude this song simply puts the name in Rock, I could listen to this song over and over again, it’s that good!”

18. Shock to the System (Cyberpunk, 1993)

“This is an epic song from a great musician, and it’s one of my favorites. I really dig the sound of glass breaking at the beginning of the song. Idolize yourself indeed!”

17. Catch My Fall (Rebel Yell, 1983)

“If I should stumble, Catch My Fall, can’t get this song out of my head, it’s so good! My favorite Billy Idol song”

See more: Billy Idol Albums Ranked

16. Blue Highway (Rebel Yell, 1983)

“Most underrated of all his songs, only one catchier and more energetic than Rebel Yell! Excellent song”

15. Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Greatest Hits, 2001)

“A not-terrible new wave ballad that has the misfortune of being sung by a guy who could really, really not pull off ballads. Also, the YouTube algorithm is obsessed with this song for some reason, so that’s another strike.”

14. Adam In Chains (Cyberpunk, 1993)

“A wonderful song, beautifully played and handled. My only misgiving, like that of DJ_SimPags, is Idol himself. The lead vocals are the record´s weakest  point.”

13. L.A. Woman (Charmed Life, 1990)

“This is all in the buildup. It does an awfully good job at feeling nice and big with it’s guitar interplay and how it builds up”

12. White Wedding, Pt. 2 (Billy Idol, 1982)

“My single of white wedding just has a live version, which rocks like a bastard. You cannot f*uck with this song. It’s cinematic! Check out the movie demons by dario argento to see what I mean. STArrrrrt Aggggaaaaaaaiiiinnnn! Hey little sister SHot gun!”

11. Speed (Speed Soundtrack, 1994)

“The sheer energy of this song is incredible. From the driving guitars to Billy Idols screams. The synths here fit perfectly. The ultimate fusion of new wave and hard rock. Well done, Billy.”

10. Cradle of Love (Complete Nineties, 2014)

“I was honestly expecting this one to be higher and I believe it has potential to be #1. Plus it’s the first one I knew so I might be a little bias”

9. Sweet Sixteen (Whiplash Smile, 1986)

“Billy gets all lovey-dovey and winds up sounding even more dull than usual. Look, he even posed with a guitar on the cover. One day he might actually learn to play it.”

8. Mony Mony (Don’t Stop, 1981)

“Music is so powerful. It’s a cover song and it’s one of the best covers Here she comes, ridin’ now, says Mony Mony!”

7. To Be a Lover (Whiplash Smile, 1986)

“In this song, his voice reminds me of Elvis so much. There isn’t much to be said about this song other than IT’S PERFECT!”

See more: The Human League Albums Ranked

6. Hot in the City (Billy Idol, 1982)

“Something of an anomaly in the BI catalog.  He doesn’t sound defiant or even that snarly (except in the bridge, culminating in a rather random yell of “New York!”).  The music sounds more new wave than (post-)punk, and Billy just sort of sings it rather straight.  Perhaps ironically, I prefer this over his standard persona.”

5. Flesh for Fantasy (Rebel Yell, 1983)

“Brilliant piece of rock! When people hear this, they can’t help but feel dirty! Good song, so heavy but distantly of Hard Rock arrangements, it’s precise with Futuristic Rock more well said”

4. Dancing with Myself (Billy Idol, 1982)

“This song just has so much energy, it’s just fantastic. Makes everyone in the vicinity jump up and dance like a monkey. A brilliant song to get up and dance to, can’t help but sing along to this song!”

3. White Wedding (Billy Idol, 1982)

“This is one of my favorite songs of all time. One of his first, and one of his best, just a brilliant song! Love the guitar so good god billy idol is a good guitarist”

2. Rebel Yell (Rebel Yell, 1983)

“In the midnight hour, she cried more, more, more. With a rebel yell she cried more. More, more. Ahh! This song always gets stuck in my head. One of the best rock songs! Simply legendary.”

1. Eyes Without a Face (Rebel Yell, 1983)

“This song brings me back to my youth! Love the beat, lyrics, and video. It truly is 80s at its best. This song is one of the top charts of the album Rebel Yell and of the whole music industry.”