We cried more, more, more...
Don't make that face, William. We're just glad to see you!
Billy Idol is back -- at least with a compilation CD/DVD.
"The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself" is set for release June 24 and will include two new songs "John Wayne" and "New Future Weapon."
Longtime partner and guitarist Steve Stevens and songwriting collaborator Brian Tichy are back on board for "Idolize Yourself" as well, which is good news for Billy's fans from the 80s.
The combination CD/DVD also has 18 other tracks from his career. The DVD adds 13 music videos, including two alternate video edits previously unreleased.
TOP 5 MOST UNDER-RATED BILLY IDOL SONGS:
5. BABY TALK: "Don't stop, the blood rock"
4. (DO NOT) STAND IN THE SHADOWS: "We'll cut our cards, drive out bars. All for one, one for all"
3. THE DEAD NEXT DOOR: "One error, silent terror. And we're the dead next door."
2. BLUE HIGHWAY: "Yes there's a time ... a time for love."
1. UNTOUCHABLES: "We laughed and cried, split our sides."
[AP photo]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Excellent choices of the 5 most under-rated. I'm not even going to try to add to them.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 04, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I couldn't find them on IMEEM to make a real playlist. Too bad.
Posted by: Spears | May 04, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Man, Steve, great call.
"Blue Highway" is a great song to start a workout with.
That SQUEAL! of guitar and Billy barking?
Awesome.
Posted by: Al | May 04, 2008 at 06:44 PM
I LOVE BILLY IDOL! The first boy I ever kissed was named Billy and he made that same snarl. Yeah. I was 5. He was 4.
I'll be buying this bad boy, no doubt!
Posted by: Marissa | May 04, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Yes, I agree - "Blue Highway" and "Untouchables" (Generation X) are two of my all time favorites! I could add many more though! One of my faves is "Prodigal Blues"....give it a listen. It's such an awesome song to chill out to....So is "Summer Running". I love your blog!
Posted by: Staceyswo | May 04, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Wow, I'm really humbled by all the love for today's Top 5 list.
And Bassnote's approval ... (I bow) ... I feel pretty damn good today now.
When it comes to Billy Idol, the key is: Play ANY thing ... except Mony Mony.
Posted by: Spearsy | May 05, 2008 at 01:47 AM
You know what's truly "stuck in the '80s"? : "best of" albums. That's becuase, thanks to iTunes, anyone (yo, ANYONE) can make their own "best of" album.
Yo, Bill, wake up. And please, please, please, don't make another Christmas album.
Posted by: chase | May 05, 2008 at 09:26 AM
For those curious cats who might not recall what the songs Steve has listed sound like, I give you a playlist.
http://www.imeem.com/wildhair/playlist/4OypdW1x/top_5_most_underrated_billy_idol_songs_according_to_steve_m/
Posted by: Marissa | May 05, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Aw, c'mon Chase -- nothing says Happy Holidays quite like M. Idol snarl-crooning "It'a a nice day for a white... Christmas."
Posted by: jane | May 05, 2008 at 09:35 AM
I think what was most frightening about Billy's Christmas CD was the video where he appeared to have been plasticized.
Posted by: Marissa | May 05, 2008 at 09:41 AM