Billy Idol

Released: October 20, 1986

Songwriter: Billy Idol

Producer: Keith Forsey

[Verse 1]
A human heart goes out tonight
Yes, a red hot love on a red stop light
I see a scene, so cold it echoes in blue
Oh, those twisting tongues, they are after you

[Pre-Chorus]
Wop bop a lu bop, Son, you gotta move up
Flip flop fly
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Oh, what a story dreams to buy
Don't need a knife to violate my life
It's all so insane

[Chorus]
When the other man has none
You don't need a gun
Yes a Russian roulette, no fun
I don't need a gun
I just need someone
I don't need a gun

[Verse 2]
Blood red lights a domination street
Yeah, I just need your love, and I feel that heat
Yeah, you can drive me through
That red stop light
With a whiplash smile, Woahhh!

[Pre-Chorus]
Wop bop a lu bop, yeah, you gotta move up
Flip flop fly
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Oooh, what a story dreams to buy
Don't need a knife to violate my life
It's all so insane

[Chorus]
I say when the other man has none
You don't need a gun
A Russian roulette, no fun
I don't need a gun, yeah I just need someone
I won't need a gun
Oh yeah

[Bridge]
You will always be crying, yeah
Oh, you will always be dying
Oh, you will always be dying

[Verse 3]
Elvis, a fight, the dying light
Johnnie Ray, he's always crying
Gene Vincent, he cried, "Who slapped John, John, John"
Yes and me, I'm movin', movin', movin', movin' on
Yeah, to be someone
I don't need a gun
I don't need a gun
I don't need a gun

Ow! [Ad libs continue]
You will always be crying
....

Billy Idol is an English rock musician, songwriter and actor. Born in Stanmore, Middlesex, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. Unlike other British punk rock artists of his era, Idol was inspired by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Idol then embarked on a successful solo career, and was a member of the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” of the United States. A series of music videos for songs such as “Dancing With Myself”, “White Wedding”, “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face” made him one of the first MTV stars. Idol continues to tour with guitarist Steve Stevens.

Idol’s 1987 release, “Mony Mony” reached #1 on the US top 40 charts; his songs to chart in the top 10 include: White Wedding, Eyes Without a Face, To Be a Lover and Cradle of Love.

more tracks from the album

Idol Songs: 11 of the Best

From the albums

Whiplash Smile (1986)
Idol Songs: 11 of the Best (1988)

Billy Idol popular songs

Don’t Need a GunBilly Idol

Billy Idol

Idol Songs: 11 of the Best