Whiplash Smile Explained

Whiplash Smile
Type:	studio
Artist:	Billy Idol
Cover:	Billy Idol Whiplash Smile CD cover.JPG
Recorded:	1985–1986
Studio:	Right Track Studios Unique Recording Studios^[1] (New York City, New York)
Genre:	Rock new wave^[2]
Label:	Chrysalis
Producer:	Keith Forsey
Prev Title:	Vital Idol
Prev Year:	1985
Next Year:	1988

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]

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 10 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 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Soul Standing By" was released as a single only in Australia and New Zealand.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album liner notes.^[4]

• Billy Idol – vocals, guitars, bass
• Steve Stevens – guitars, keyboards, programming, bass
• Phillip Ashley – keyboards
• Harold Faltermeyer – keyboards
• David Frank – keyboards
• Richard Tee – keyboards
• Marcus Miller – bass
• John Regan – bass
• Jocelyn Brown – backing vocals on "To Be a Lover"
• Connie Harvey – backing vocals on "To Be a Lover"
• Janet Wright – backing vocals on "To Be a Lover"

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

Weekly charts

Chart (1986–1987)! scope="col"

Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)	6
European Albums (Music & Media)^[5]	13
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)^[6]	3
Icelandic Albums (Tónlist)^[7]	5
Italian Albums (Musica e dischi)^[8]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (1986)! scope="col"

Position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[9]	37

Chart (1987)! scope="col"

Position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)	12
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[10]	52
European Albums (Music & Media)^[11]	63
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[12]	22
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[13]	34
US Billboard 200^[14]	28

References

Bibliography

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

Notes and References

1. https://www.facebook.com/UniqueRecordingStudios/photos/a.649655181769411/649656645102598/?type=3&theaterr
2. Web site: Whiplash Smile - Billy Idol. Allmusic. 5 September 2019.
3. Web site: Eduardo Rivadavia . When Billy Idol Updated His Sound on 'Whiplash Smile' . . 17 October 2016. 18 July 2021.
4. Web site: Whiplash Smile . . 18 July 2021.
5. European Hot 100 Albums . . 3 . 47 . 29 November 1986 . 25 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
6. Book: Pennanen, Timo . Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 . fi . 1st . Helsinki . . 2006 . 978-951-1-21053-5.
7. News: Ísland (LP-plötur) . . is . 14 November 1986 . 43 . 1021-8254 . Timarit.is.
8. Web site: Classifiche . . it . 31 May 2022. Select "Album" in the "Tipo" field, type "Billy Idol" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
9. Top 100 Albums of '86 . RPM . 45 . 14 . 27 December 1986 . 9 . 0033-7064 . Library and Archives Canada.
10. Top 100 Albums of '87 . RPM . 47 . 12 . 26 December 1987 . 9 . 0033-7064 . Library and Archives Canada.
11. European Charts of the Year 1987 – Albums . Music & Media . 4 . 51/52 . 26 December 1987 . 35 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
12. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1987 . de . GfK Entertainment . 2 August 2021.
13. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1987 . . 5 February 2022.
14. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1987. Billboard. 2 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308184503/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1987/top-billboard-200-albums. 8 March 2021.