Whiplash Smile

Whiplash Smile is the third studio album by English rock vocalist Billy Idol. It was released on 20 October 1986 by Chrysalis Records. After his successful album Rebel Yell (1983), Idol continued his collaboration with Keith Forsey and Steve Stevens while writing and producing songs for the album.

Whiplash Smile
Studio album by
Billy Idol
Released20 October 1986 (1986-10-20)
Recorded1985–1986
StudioRight Track Studios
(New York City, New York) Unique Recording Studios, New York City[1]
GenreRock, new wave[2]
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]

Whiplash Smile received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Commercially, the album noted a success similar to his previous album. It peaked at number six on Billboard 200. In the United Kingdom, it reached number eight 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
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Worlds Forgotten Boy"
5:40
2."To Be a Lover"
3:51
3."Soul Standing By"
  • Idol
4:35
4."Sweet Sixteen"
  • Idol
4:14
5."Man for All Seasons"
  • Idol
  • Stevens
4:38
6."Don't Need a Gun"
  • Idol
6:15
7."Beyond Belief"
  • Idol
4:00
8."Fatal Charm"
3:51
9."All Summer Single"
  • Idol
4:33
10."One Night, One Chance"
  • Idol
  • Stevens
3:52
Total length:45:29

Personnel

Technical

  • Produced by Keith Forsey
  • Recording Engineers: Dave Concors, Debi Cornish, Neil Dorfsman, Moira Marquis, Bill Miranda, Steve Tjaden, Dave Wittman
  • Mixing Engineer: Gary Langan
  • Assistant Mixing Engineer: Craig Vogel
  • Mastering: George Marino

Charts

Certifications and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16] 3× Platinum 300,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[17] Gold 25,000[17]
Germany (BVMI)[18] Gold 250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[19] Gold 7,500^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[20] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[22] Platinum 1,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

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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. Johnny Loftus. "Whiplash Smile". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  4. "CG: billy idol". Robert Christgau. 10 August 1993. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. "Austriancharts.at – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  6. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  7. "Hit Parade Italia gli album più venduti del 1986". FIMI. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  8. "Dutchcharts.nl – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  9. "Charts.nz – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  10. "Norwegiancharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  11. "Swedishcharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  12. "Swisscharts.com – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  13. "Billy Idol | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  14. "Billy Idol Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  15. "Billboard 200 Year End 1987". Billboard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  16. "Canadian album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Music Canada. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  17. "Billy Idol" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  18. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Billy Idol; 'Whiplash Smile')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  19. "New Zealand album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  20. "Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music and Media. American Radio History Archive. 26 December 1987. p. 46. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  21. "British album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 April 2016. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Whiplash Smile in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  22. "American album certifications – Billy Idol – Whiplash Smile". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 10 April 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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