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).
17 John Wayne
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And my mind is racing
You're wastin' all my time
Someone come and save me
Oh yeah
'Cause when I need you
I can see through
Right now
All my highway
Doin' my way
And I want you to feel
When I'm going down
[Chorus]
I am not afraid
And I won't go down in fate
Nothings gonna be the same
And everything you know
Keep inside your soul
Tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne
Oh yeah
Our colder days are chasin'
And you're not gonna face it
The reason's in the rhyme
You walked on what was sacred
Oh yeah
And when I need you
I can reach you
And I feel you
Right now
It's a new day
But your skies are gray
And I want you to feel
When I'm going down
[Chorus]
Everything you know
Keep inside your soul
Tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne
[Chorus: x2]
The song “John Wayne” by Billy Idol is a love song that shows the singer's desperation to be with the person he loves. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song as the singer feels crazy and his mind is racing due to the absence of the person he loves. The second verse emphasizes the importance of the person in his life and how he can see through to her. The chorus demonstrates the singer's bravery, that he is not afraid of anything, and that he won't go down without a fight. The line, “Tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne,” is the epitome of his bravery as John Wayne was a legendary American actor who was known for his iconic Western films, often depicting characters who were tough, brave and had a strong sense of justice.
The song is filled with metaphors that emphasize the singer's sense of longing and desperation. He talks about his mind racing and highways that he's traveling, indicating he's constantly thinking about the person he loves and on the move. He also mentions gray skies, which could indicate he's feeling down and depressed without his love. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes how much he wants his love to feel his pain, indicating that he wants her to be with him and understand his longing.
Line by Line Meaning
You know you make me crazy
You have a real impact on my emotions and thoughts, driving me to the edge.
And my mind is racing
You keep me preoccupied and overthinking, making it hard for me to focus.
You're wastin' all my time
I feel like I could be doing better things with my life instead of spending it on you.
Someone come and save me
I feel like I'm trapped and need someone else's help to get out of this situation.
'Cause when I need you
You're only around when I need you.
I can see through
I understand your true nature and intentions, see right through your facade.
And I feel you
Despite everything, I still feel a connection to you on a deeper level.
Right now
In this moment, it's all I can think about.
All my highway
I'm going through life my own way, on my own terms.
Doin' my way
I'm living life according to my own rules and values.
And I want you to feel
I want you to understand what it's like to be in my shoes.
When I'm going down
When things get rough and I'm struggling, I want you to acknowledge and empathize with my situation.
I am not afraid
Despite the challenges, I won't back down or give up.
And I won't go down in fate
I won't be a victim of pre-determined destiny, I will make my own path.
Nothings gonna be the same
Things are going to change, and I'm ready for it.
Keep inside your soul
Store the things you know deep within yourself, as they will guide you through trying times.
Our colder days are chasin'
As time goes on, things are getting more difficult and challenging.
And you're not gonna face it
You're not willing to confront the obstacles we're facing and address them head-on.
The reason's in the rhyme
The answer to our problems lies in the patterns and signs all around us.
You walked on what was sacred
You crossed a line and did something unforgivable, violating something that was important to me.
And when I need you
Again, you're only there when I need you.
I can reach you
I can get in touch with you and communicate when necessary.
It's a new day
Things are changing and evolving into a new phase.
But your skies are gray
Despite the positive changes, you're still stuck in a negative mindset.
Everything you know
All the knowledge and experiences you've acquired in life.
Tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne
I'm taking on the role of the classic cowboy hero, taking charge of my life and overcoming obstacles with bravery.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRIAN T TICHY, DEREK G SHERINIAN, WILLIAM A. BROAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kukol
You know you make me crazy
And my mind is racing
You're wastin' all my time
Someone come and save me , Oh, yeah
cause when I need you
I can see through
And I feel you
Right now
On my highway
Do it my way
And I want you to feel
When I'm going down
'Cause I am not afraid
And I won't go down in flames
'Cause nothing's gonna be the same
And everything you know
You keep inside your soul
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne , Oh yeah
Our golden days are chasin'
And you're not gonna face it
The reasons in the rhyme
You walked on what was sacred , oh yeah
And when I need you
I can reach through
And I feel you
Right now
Oh It's a new day
But your skies are grey
And I want you to feel
When I'm going down
'Cause I am not afraid
And I won't go down in flames
'Cause nothing's gonna be the same
And everything you know
You keep inside your soul
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne oh oh
Everything you know
You keep inside your soul
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne
I am not afraid
And I won't go down in flames
'Cause nothing's gonna be the same
And everything you know
You keep inside your soul
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne
I am not afraid
And I won't go down in flames
'Cause nothing's gonna be the same
And everything you know
You keep inside your soul
'Cause tonight I'm gonna be John Wayne
@candymcmurdo01
Nominate Billy Idol for The Rock-n-Roll Hall
of Fame NOW💋💖
@whatdidyousay1455
Never heard this before! Great track from Billy Idol! Superb. Thanks For This!
@DeathRay89
hes the living version closest to a real life Duke Nukem
@fligemon
This man is living testament to the ability to survive repeated attempts to screw up one's life. Rock on Mr. Idol!!
@izzy_6283
fligemon i dont think he set out to screw up his life ewok
@lunabelle2744
To Infiniti X . like your comment. I also had big aspirations and big potential, but sometimes things just get screwed up and crazy. After all, nobody's perfect, we're all just human.
@lunabelle2744
True greatness and talent will not be suppressed......
@luzluna1468
Bravo and well said!🤗👏👏❤
@drill2.087
The most I’ve seen was a motorcycle accident in the late 80’s, other than that I think he’s done pretty damn good taking care of himself
@mecths
My youngest brother had to write a paper many years ago while he was in Jr. High about the person he most admired. He chose to write about me. He started his paper with the following: "The person I most admire is by big brother Mike. He is a cross between John Wayne and Billy Idol." My baby brother Buzz left us 4 years ago and went to a better place. This song makes me miss him very much. R.I.P Buzz.