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).
Hot in the City
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's hot here at night, lonely, black and quiet
On a hot summer night
Don't be afraid of the world we made
On a hot summer night
'Cause when a long-legged lovely walks by
Yeah you can see the look in her eye
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
(Stranger, stranger)
For all the dreams and schemes
People are as they seem
On a hot summer night
Don't be no fun, don't forget you're young
On a hot summer night
A sometime someone you're not
Don't wait to see what you've got
'Cause you know that you're
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
We'll walk until my feet drop
I'm a train when I'm hateful
Yeah, lay right down now
And ride until your head breaks
I'm a-walkin' 'til my brain pops
I will move with the beat now
I'm a chain 'round an A-bomb
I'm a ribbon in the heat now
New York!
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The lyrics of Billy Idol's song "Hot in the City" describe the ambiance of a summer night that is both hot and lonely. The singer encourages the listener not to be afraid of the world that they created and to enjoy the moment. He also advises them to take advantage of their youth, not to be someone they are not, and to seize the opportunity when it arises. In the chorus, the singer repeats the phrase "Hot in the city" twice and adds the word "tonight" several times. The end of the song refers to New York City.
Line by Line Meaning
It's hot here at night, lonely, black and quiet
The night brings a sense of heat, loneliness, darkness and an eerie quietness.
On a hot summer night
The events of this song are set on a hot summer night.
Don't be afraid of the world we made
Despite what the world has become, don't be afraid to engage with it.
On a hot summer night
The events of this song are set on a hot summer night.
'Cause when a long-legged lovely walks by
The appearance of a beautiful woman is imminent.
Yeah you can see the look in her eye
The woman's eyes show interest and eagerness.
Then you know that it's
The song reaches its climax and the night's heat picks up.
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The night is hot and wild, characterized by excitement, unpredictability and a sense of danger.
For all the dreams and schemes
Despite any hopes and aspirations people may have, they remain as they seem.
People are as they seem
People's appearances and personalities are not always what they seem to be.
On a hot summer night
The events of this song are set on a hot summer night.
Don't be no fun, don't forget you're young
Don't be too serious, don't forget to enjoy your youth and innocence.
On a hot summer night
The events of this song are set on a hot summer night.
A sometime someone you're not
Sometimes you behave in ways that are not true to yourself.
Don't wait to see what you've got
Don't hesitate or hold back, go out and pursue what you want.
'Cause you know that you're
The night is full of excitement and possibilities.
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The night is hot and wild, characterized by excitement, unpredictability and a sense of danger.
We'll walk until my feet drop
Keep walking and moving, even till exhaustion.
I'm a train when I'm hateful
When upset, the singer compares himself to a fast and dangerous train.
Yeah, lay right down now
Take a break, relax and rest.
And ride until your head breaks
Continue moving till your body can no longer handle it.
I'm a-walkin' 'til my brain pops
Keep walking until the thought process becomes too much to handle.
I will move with the beat now
Move and dance to the rhythm of the night.
I'm a chain 'round an A-bomb
The artist is dangerous and unpredictable, like a chain around a bomb.
I'm a ribbon in the heat now
The singer is flowing and flexible, like a ribbon in the heat.
New York!
The city of New York is the backdrop for this song.
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The night is hot and wild, characterized by excitement, unpredictability and a sense of danger.
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The night is hot and wild, characterized by excitement, unpredictability and a sense of danger.
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The night is hot and wild, characterized by excitement, unpredictability and a sense of danger.
Hot in the city, hot in the city tonight, tonight
The night is hot and wild, characterized by excitement, unpredictability and a sense of danger.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Billy Idol
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louisefrater
Whose listening 2024🎉🎉🎉🎉
@rickymolina3494
Me
@pw5192
My mum passed away in Nov 2023 we had to sort her flat & belongings out & in her cd player was a Billy Idol cd , i guess Billy Idol was the last artist she listened too .
I can imagine her tapping her feet & fingers with a cuppa coffee swaying her head to the tunes , miss you mum .❤
@covmiss1
i recommend this song to everyone full blast
@silvanagavazziacdc71
Ciao
ottimo striptease maschile
grazie a lui Billy Idol
so so imitare alla perfezione
Saluti dall'Italia 🇮🇹
@redriderbbgun8018
When you think about it, Billy Idol has had quite a remarkable career.
Chiseled good looks, iconic hair, and a unique voice & style that appealed to several different demographics.
His style was very "punky" and his attitude was cocky enough to bring in the youth of the 1980's who were looking for "cool" artists, but yet his songs were accessible to all, which made Billy a pop idol for a nice stretch of time in the 80's & 90's. He's unique in every conceivable way, and no one looked or sounded like him during the roaring 80's, and that kind of talent has afforded the man right to tour and earn a living in the music world until he dies. 5 decades on, and Billy is still giving audiences what they want.
Don't ever stop Billy --We Love the sneer!! 🤜🤛
@markmcso7
Quite possibly the coolest man that’s ever walked the planet.
@simbatron24
After Brian Ferry!
@footienz
If not very nearly then very actually!
@---qo3yz
After Mr. Merlino (Italian Mafia) 😅