Whiplash Smile
Studio album by
Billy Idol
Released20 October 1986 (1986-10-20)
Recorded1985–1986
StudioRight Track Studios
Unique Recording Studios[1]
(New York City, New York)
Genre
Length45:29
LabelChrysalis
ProducerKeith Forsey
Billy Idol chronology
Vital Idol
(1985)		 Whiplash Smile
(1986)		 Idol Songs: 11 of the Best
(1988)
Singles from Whiplash Smile
  1. "To Be a Lover"
    Released: 23 September 1986
  2. "Don't Need a Gun"
    Released: 1986
  3. "Sweet Sixteen"
    Released: 1987
  4. "Soul Standing By"
    Released: 1987 (Aus & NZ only)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Robert ChristgauC+[4]
Record Mirror[5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[6]

Whiplash Smile is the third studio album by the English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 20 October 1986 by Chrysalis Records. After his successful studio album Rebel Yell (1983), Idol continued his collaboration with producer Keith Forsey and guitarist Steve Stevens while writing and producing songs for the album. The album utilizes Stevens' characteristic guitar work, dance beats, and synth-heavy production.[3][7]

Whiplash Smile received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Commercially the album noted a success similar to his previous studio album, as it peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200. The album reached number eight in the United Kingdom, and also peaked inside the top ten in many other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Whiplash Smile was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold more than two million copies worldwide.

Three singles were released from the album, with "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen" peaking into the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100. "Soul Standing By" was released as a single only in Australia and New Zealand.

Track listing

Whiplash Smile track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Worlds Forgotten Boy"
5:40
2."To Be a Lover"
3:51
3."Soul Standing By"Idol4:35
4."Sweet Sixteen"Idol4:14
5."Man for All Seasons"
  • Idol
  • Stevens
4:38
6."Don't Need a Gun"Idol6:15
7."Beyond Belief"Idol4:00
8."Fatal Charm"
3:51
9."All Summer Single"Idol4:33
10."One Night, One Chance"
  • Idol
  • Stevens
3:52
Total length:45:29

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.[8]

Production

  • Keith Forsey – producer
  • Dave Concors – engineer
  • Neil Dorfsman – engineer
  • Dave Wittman – engineer
  • Debi Cornish – additional engineer
  • Moira Marquis – additional engineer
  • Bill Miranda – additional engineer
  • Steve Tjaden – additional engineer
  • Gary Langan – mixing at The Hit Factory (New York, NY)
  • Craig Vogel – mix assistant
  • George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
  • Bobby Deluca – production coordinator
  • Jon Dworkow – production coordinator
  • Artie Smith – production coordinator
  • Billy Idol – art direction, illustration
  • Frank Olinsky (Manhattan Design) – art direction, illustration
  • Pat Gorman (Manhattan Design) – art direction, illustration
  • Albert Sanchez – front cover photography
  • Carolyn Greyshock – photography
  • Herb Ritts – photography
  • John Peden – photography
  • Gary Allen – wardrobe stylist
  • Freddy Demann – management
  • Brigid Waters – management

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Whiplash Smile
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[31] 3× Platinum 300,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[32] Gold 25,000[32]
Germany (BVMI)[33] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[34] Platinum 15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[35] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[37] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/UniqueRecordingStudios/photos/a.649655181769411/649656645102598/?type=3&theaterr
  2. ↑ "Whiplash Smile - Billy Idol". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  3. 1 2 Johnny Loftus. "Whiplash Smile". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "CG: billy idol". Robert Christgau. 10 August 1993. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. ↑ Levy, Eleanor (25 October 1986). "Albums". Record Mirror. p. 23.
  6. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Billy Idol". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 402. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  7. ↑ Eduardo Rivadavia (17 October 2016). "When Billy Idol Updated His Sound on 'Whiplash Smile'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Whiplash Smile". Discogs. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  9. ↑ Kent 1993, p. 147.
  10. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0861". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "European Hot 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 47. 29 November 1986. p. 25. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  14. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  15. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "Ísland (LP-plötur)". DV (in Icelandic). 14 November 1986. p. 43. ISSN 1021-8254 – via Timarit.is.
  17. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 31 May 2022. Select "Album" in the "Tipo" field, type "Billy Idol" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  18. ↑ "Charts.nz – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  19. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  21. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  22. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  23. ↑ "Billy Idol Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of '86". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 14. 27 December 1986. p. 9. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  25. ↑ Kent 1993, p. 439.
  26. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of '87". RPM. Vol. 47, no. 12. 26 December 1987. p. 9. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  27. ↑ "European Charts of the Year 1987 – Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 35. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  28. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1987" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  29. ↑ "Top Selling Albums of 1987". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  30. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1987". Billboard. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  31. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Music Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  32. 1 2 "Billy Idol" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  33. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billy Idol; 'Whiplash Smile')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  34. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  35. ↑ "Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music and Media. American Radio History Archive. 26 December 1987. p. 46. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  36. ↑ "British album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  37. ↑ "American album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 April 2016.

Bibliography

  • Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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