Billy Idol is a survivor. He could have been forgotten after the 1980s or after his Christmas album in 2006 (seriously; that happened), but he refused to leave. Thank goodness for that.
He continues to churn out underrated music, as his 2025 album, Dream Into It, received pretty good reviews and was worthy of doing so.
On Saturday, November 14, Billy Idol will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Unlike some of his fellow inductees this year, Idol, who lives in Los Angeles, will appear and perform, and do so alongside longtime collaborator Steve Stevens. The performance could be one of the highlights of the event.
4 gems from Billy Idol that should continue to be in heavy rotation
"The Dead Next Door" - Rebel Yell (1983)
Somber and bleak, what this song is truly about is up for interpretation. Billy Idol might never say exactly what the point of it all is because that would only lessen the fan debate about the lyrics. Is it about the Cold War or commercialism or growing up in suburbia? Maybe all of it.
The song was the stunning ending to the explosive Rebel Yell, and it didn't seem to truly fit in the early 1980s. If the album and song were released now, the fit would be understood. That is part of the brilliance of Idol: He was 40 years ahead of his time.
Ultimately, the song has no business being as good as it is. A real artist made this song.
"White Wedding (Part 1)" - Billy Idol (1982)
Likely the most-played of all of Idol's songs on the radio, one should never get tired of this track. It is menacing, slightly scary, but Idol appears to be the defender of innocence instead of the one bringing forth aggression.
The song is arguably the most perfect example of how pop-punk would evolve. The rage is real, and the ferocity, too, but the melody and songcraft are far removed from something the Sex Pistols would do. This is an angrier version of a late-Clash track.
"Don't Need a Gun" - Whiplash Smile (1986)
The second and third albums from Idol, his self-titled one and Rebel Yell, were his strongest throughout, but Whiplash Smile had several strong pieces as well. More toned-down but cerebral, "Don't Need a Gun" is about what the title suggests: A call to avoid violence involving firearms and knives.
The song peaked on the United States Billboard charts at No. 37 and sounded different not only from Idol's previous releases but also from almost everything else on the radio. Maybe it was too niche and too difficult to replicate, though.
"Dancing with Myself" - Don't Stop (1981)
Originally a song for Idol's band, Generation X, the song was remixed for his first solo album. He had written the song, after all, so he had the rights to it. If the music was different than what was originally part of the recording, and more of a pop song, the lyrics could remain unchanged.
The words are inspired by a stop on a Japanese tour for Generation X, when people were seen dancing with their reflections in front of glass, and hence the "dancing with myself" part. Ultimately, the outcome was an early standard of pop-punk, but with a sneer from Idol all the same.
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