In my crate digging back in June, I found this beauty. It is a Gen X 12″ single of the song “Dancing with Myself”. This was off the band’s third album called “Kiss Me Deadly” and was a little before the song became famous by the Gen X singer, Billy Idol, on his first solo outing. Since I have all the band’s stuff (with minor exceptions), I look for the Singles and oddball items now and this fit the bill nicely.
For me it is both a Single and an oddball, because what is the deal with the frightening little girl on the cover. She’s scary, right? The album is still wrapped in the original plastic wrap which has seen better days, but this has kept the album in pretty dang good shape.
“Dancing with Myself” failed to chart upon its release and didn’t really do much. It wasn’t until Billy released it as one of his solo songs, but that is for another discussion. The song was inspired by what the band saw while on tour in Tokyo. They noticed that at the dance clubs, the people were dancing more with their own reflections in the mirrored walls than they were with other people. That somehow inspired the song.
The song has has always been one of my favorite songs by the band and Billy’s solo work. The song is pure New Wave dance music with a slight punk edge…classic Billy Idol solo. It is so melodic, catchy and so much energy you can’t help but move. The guitars are a little louder on this version and the bass toned down ever so slightly, but other than that it is the song you know. Being the 12″ Single, it is extended out to just over 4 minutes which is about 20 seconds longer than the album version and 20 more seconds to be on the dance floor.
The prize on this is not just “Dancing With Myself” as I have several versions on other releases, but it is the B-Sides. Okay, I have the other two songs as well, but only digitally, not physically. Now that has changed. The two tracks are called “Loopy Dub” and “Ugly Dub” and honestly, they aren’t that great. So the prize really is “Dancing With Myself”.
“Loopy Dub” doesn’t really go fast enough for a dance track. It is kinda slow and drags on with no real purpose. I would’ve liked something more upbeat that you could dance too because this just depresses me. “Ugly Dub” isn’t any better. There is a strong case to be made why these didn’t end up on the album. Honestly, not sure there was ever any reason to release them period.
And there you have it. Another nugget in the world of Billy Idol. The collection is coming along nicely and I love adding new stuff especially when it comes to the Gen X era of his career.
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…
- Generation X – ‘Generation X’
- Generation X – ‘Valley of the Dolls’
- Gen X – ‘Kiss Me Deadly’
- Gen X – “Dancing With Myself” 12″ Single (Bonus Edition)
- Generation X – ‘The BBC Transcription Disc Series No. 126 1978’ (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Don’t Stop E.P.
- Billy Idol – Billy Idol
- Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
- Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile
- Billy Idol – To Be A Lover – Single Review
- Billy Idol – Vital Idol
- Billy Idol – Charmed Life
- Billy Idol – Cyberpunk
- Billy Idol – “Speed” (song from the Speed Soundtrack)
- Generation X – K.M.D. Sweet Revenge
- Billy Idol – VH1 Storytellers (Live)
- Billy Idol – Devil’s Playground
- Billy Idol – Happy Holidays
- Billy Idol – The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
- Billy Idol – Kings & Queens of the Underground
- Billy Idol – BFI Live (#RSD 2019)
- Billy Idol – Revitalized
- Generation X – Your Generation (7″ Record Store Day Release)
- Generation X – Generation X Deluxe Edition
- Billy Idol – Rebel Waltz: Live (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – Rebel Calling: Live (Bootleg)
- Billy Idol – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First
2 Loud 2 Old Music 