If you remember my discussions last week, while at a record show here in Charlotte, I came across that Billy Idol Picture Disc for “Eyes Without A Face”, but that wasn’t all I found. I also found a couple 7″ Singles from Billy Idol as well. First up was “Hot in the City” with the B-Side “Catch My Fall”.  The other 7″ Single I found from Billy was for the song “Sweet Sixteen” off the album ‘Whiplash Smile’. The B-Side for the song was also from the album, a song called “Beyond Belief”.

The US release of this single was in April 1987 and this single is from that release. The song did great as it went to #20 on the Top 40 charts helping drive the album to sells of over 1 million copies in the US alone making it go Platinum for Billy. Both songs on the single are strictly the album versions. There are no single mixes or remixes, only the normal released songs. As a result, this is nothing new I don’t already have, but I didn’t have it in single form so I will take it to grow my Billy Idol collection.

The third single from the album was an acoustic guitar heavy ballad called “Sweet Sixteen” with a very nice bass groove added in. It might just be the best song on the album.  A nice change of pace and gave you a softer side of Billy.  The story behind the song is based on a true story about Edward Leedskalnin who was dumped by his fiancée Agnes Scuffs the day before their wedding. To try and win her back, he built a monument complete with furniture made of coral, in Homestead, Florida called Coral Castle.  Sadly, she still didn’t want him. Oh well, it is now a little tourist attraction…although quite weird.  Edward’s nickname for Agnes was “Sweet Sixteen”.

Now, my version as the Demonstration Copy Not For Sale stamp on it like the previous single did. I don’t know if this was a radio promo version, or the collection the seller got it from like to stamp everything with that phrase. Who knows, but I will take it anyway.

“Beyond Belief” was a pretty deep cut off the album, but I was left wondering what he was going for with this song. A slower song full of producer Keith Forsey’s special, electronica effects, but it was to no avail as it was lacking any heart or feeling. I hate to say it, but the song is pretty boring and you would think that with a slow song as the A-Side, they might go for a little more upbeat track as this is far from it. It actually brings you down. Don’t get me wrong, Billy sounds great, but the song is quite lacking.

And there you have it. Another single in the Billy Idol collection. I hope to find more down the road and if I do I will bring them to you to see in all their glory. Thanks again for stopping by as we keep adding to the Billy Idol Series.

Now, if you want to check out the full reviews and the entire Billy Idol Series, click on any and all of the links below…

1. Generation X – ‘Generation X’
2. Generation X – ‘Valley of the Dolls’
3. Gen X – ‘Kiss Me Deadly’
4. Gen X – “Dancing With Myself” 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
5. Generation X – ‘The BBC Transcription Disc Series No. 126 1978’ (Bootleg)
6. Billy Idol – Don’t Stop E.P.
7. Billy Idol – Billy Idol
8. Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
9. Billy Idol – “Eyes Without A Face” – 12″ Picture Disc (Bonus Edition)
10. Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
11. Billy Idol – “Sweet Sixteen” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
12. Billy Idol – To Be A Lover – Single Review
13. Billy Idol – Vital Idol
14. Billy Idol – “Hot In the City” – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
15. Billy Idol – Charmed Life
16. Billy Idol – Cyberpunk
17. Billy Idol – “Speed” (song from the Speed Soundtrack)
18. Generation X – K.M.D. Sweet Revenge
19. Billy Idol – VH1 Storytellers (Live)
20. Billy Idol – Devil’s Playground
21. Billy Idol – Happy Holidays
22. Billy Idol – The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
23. Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
24. Billy Idol – BFI Live (#RSD 2019)
25. Billy Idol – Revitalized
26. Generation X – Your Generation (7″ Record Store Day Release)
27. Generation X – Generation X Deluxe Edition
28. Billy Idol – Rebel Waltz: Live (Bootleg)
29. Billy Idol – Rebel Calling: Live (Bootleg)
30. Billy Idol – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First