Idol began his music career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. However, he soon left the group. With his former bandmate Tony James, Idol formed Generation X. With Idol as lead singer, the band achieved success in the United Kingdom and released three studio albums on Chrysalis Records, then disbanded. In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut studio album, Billy Idol (1982), was a commercial success. With music videos for singles "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" Idol soon became a staple of then newly-established MTV.
Idol's second studio album, Rebel Yell (1983), was a major commercial success, featuring hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face". The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of two million copies in the US. In 1986, he released Whiplash Smile. Having accumulated three UK top 10 singles ("Rebel Yell", "White Wedding" and "Mony Mony"), Idol released a 1988 greatest hits album titled Idol Songs: 11 of the Best; the album went platinum in the United Kingdom. Idol then released Charmed Life (1990) and the concept album Cyberpunk (1993).
Idol spent the second half of the 1990s focusing on his personal life out of the public eye. He made a musical comeback with the release of Devil's Playground (2005) and again with Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014).
13 Nobody's Business
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Either way you know they win or lose
You know money talks
Your eyes they ain't so blue
You love to watch the green-backs walk
You got a five-buck side-pack
Tell me, tell me someone stop this pain
It's your place I was in a rage insane
But your eyes are never blue
Droolin' over green-back poolin'
You got a five-buck side-pack
Well I must have been right about something
Yes to make it to here and to tell you something
'Cause nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business but my own
Well I must have been mad about something
'Cause I'm m a d and I spell it for nothing
'Cause nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business but my own
What a fool to step into those shoes
Either way you know they[you?] win or lose
You know money talks
Your eyes so paralysed
Don't you realise
For love and hate it's just too late
Nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business but my own
Nobody's business but my own
The song "Nobody's Business" by Billy Idol is a reflection on the perils of materialism and the corrupting influence of money. The lyrics suggest that the singer is misguided in their pursuit of love and happiness, instead prioritizing the accumulation of wealth and status as a means of fulfilling their desires. The line "What a fool to step into those shoes, Either way you know they win or lose" conveys a sense of futility and disillusionment, as though the character recognizes on some level the ultimate emptiness of their chosen path.
Despite this, the singer seems trapped in their own mindset, unable to break free from the cycle of desire and acquisition that defines their existence. The repetition of the phrase "nobody's business but my own" adds to this sense of isolation and self-absorption, as though the character is unwilling or unable to share their true feelings with anyone else. The use of the word "mad" also suggests that the singer may be struggling with mental health issues, adding another layer of complexity and nuance to the song's themes.
Line by Line Meaning
What a fool to step into those shoes
It was foolish of me to try to take your place
Either way you know they win or lose
No matter what, you had the upper hand in this situation
You know money talks
We both know that money is the driving force behind everything
Your eyes they ain't so blue
I see through your façade and know that you're not as innocent as you seem
You love to watch the green-backs walk
You take pleasure in the accumulation of money
You got a five-buck side-pack
You have a small amount of wealth, but enough to make you feel superior
Tell me, tell me someone stop this pain
I'm in agony and need someone to rescue me
It's your place I was in a rage insane
I was angry because I couldn't be in your position of power
I wanted your love so bad
I craved your affection and approval
But your eyes are never blue
I can see that you lack sincerity and are not capable of truly caring for someone else
Droolin' over green-back poolin'
You're obsessed with acquiring wealth and it's unappealing
Well I must have been right about something
I must have had some insight into the situation
Yes to make it to here and to tell you something
I've come this far and I have something to say to you
'Cause nobody's business but my own
It's not anyone else's concern but mine
Nobody's business but my own
No one else has the right to interfere with my personal affairs
Well I must have been mad about something
I must have been extremely upset about something
'Cause I'm m a d and I spell it for nothing
I'm angry and expressing it, but it's not accomplishing anything
Your eyes so paralysed
Your eyes are dull and lifeless, as if you have become jaded from your greed
Don't you realise
You need to wake up and see the error of your ways
For love and hate it's just too late
It's too late for us to have any positive emotions towards each other
Nobody's business but my own
My thoughts and feelings are mine alone and no one else's concern
Nobody's business but my own
I have the right to keep my personal affairs private
Nobody's business but my own
No one has the right to interfere in my personal matters
Nobody's business but my own
It's not anyone else's concern but mine
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY IDOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Venus Diane Luna
on Mother Dawn
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