Studio Album · No. 3
Whiplash Smile Songwriting Credits by Billy Idol
Produced by Keith Forsey · Engineered by Dave Concors, Neil Dorfsman, Dave Wittman
Chrysalis
New WaveHard Rock
Artist
90%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 9 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 9 / 10 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Billy Idol carries a lyricist or composer credit.
9 trackswritten by Billy Idol
1 trackoutside writers
Billy Idol's roles on this album
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist90%
Composer90%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
10
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
1986
Released
Data Insight
Stevens drops from nine tracks to four and Idol writes five alone, the most since the debut. The partnership loosens on the record right before it ends.
Whiplash Smile came out on Chrysalis in October 1986 and charted in the top ten in nine countries.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Worlds Forgotten Boy
|
Billy IdolSteve Stevens | William Michael Albert BroadSteven Bruce Schneider | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 2 |
To Be a Lover
#6
|
William BellBooker T. Jones | William BellBooker T. Jones | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 3 |
Soul Standing By
|
Billy Idol | William Michael Albert Broad | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 4 |
Sweet Sixteen
#20
|
Billy Idol | William Michael Albert Broad | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 5 |
Man for All Seasons
|
Billy IdolSteve Stevens | William Michael Albert BroadSteven Bruce Schneider | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 6 |
Don't Need a Gun
#37
|
Billy Idol | William Michael Albert Broad | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 7 |
Beyond Belief
|
Billy Idol | William Michael Albert Broad | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 8 |
Fatal Charm
|
Billy IdolSteve StevensKeith Forsey | William Michael Albert BroadSteven Bruce SchneiderKeith Forsey | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 9 |
All Summer Single
|
Billy Idol | William Michael Albert Broad | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
| 10 |
One Night, One Chance
|
Billy IdolSteve Stevens | William Michael Albert BroadSteven Bruce Schneider | Keith Forsey | Billy Idol (Performer) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 7 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Whiplash Smile
Who wrote Whiplash Smile?
Idol on nine of the ten tracks, five of them alone, with Steve Stevens sharing four. "To Be a Lover" is a cover of a William Bell and Booker T. Jones song.
How high did the singles chart?
"To Be a Lover" reached number 6 on the Hot 100, "Sweet Sixteen" number 20 and "Don't Need a Gun" number 37.
How did it sell?
The discography publishes certifications for it rather than a sales figure.
Who produced it?
Keith Forsey.
Who engineered it?
Dave Concors, Neil Dorfsman and Dave Wittman.
Was it nominated for anything?
"To Be a Lover" brought a second Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
How long is the album?
45:29 across ten tracks.