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).
Speed -
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the middle of the road
Hell's no place for sleeping
In a world beyond control
Caught in the headlights
Coming after you
When I woke up this morning
I had to do what I gotta do
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
[Chorus]
Speed
Give me what I need
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
Greased lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
I've seen a train full of pain
On the edge of overload
We're in Heaven, baby
You are gonna implode
I've got these crazy feelings
That I can't explain
I've gotta save you baby
Or I'll die in vain
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
I said blast me to Heaven just for loving you
[Chorus]
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
I said blast me to Heaven for loving you
Now I'm rushing on the run, yeah
I want to have me some fun
I'll speed
Give me what I need
Oh, set me free
Let's speed
On wheels, on wheels, on wheels
Said speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
C'mon
I said speed, speed
Give me what I need
I said speed, speed
Give me what I need
Alright
The lyrics of Billy Idol's song "Speed" seem to convey the urgency of a situation where the singer is being chased after by an unknown force or entity. He mentions running from a nightmare in the middle of the road and how the world he's living in is beyond his control. He is caught in the headlights, perhaps a metaphor for feeling trapped and helpless. As he wakes up to face the reality of the situation, he repeats the phrase "blast me to heaven for loving you." This could be interpreted as a last-ditch effort to regain some control over his life, even if it means sacrificing himself for the one he loves. The chorus then kicks in, with the singer calling out for speed and white lightning, as if he is seeking an escape from the chaos around him. He mentions how he has seen a train full of pain on the edge of overload, possibly hinting towards a past experience where things have gone wrong, and how he is determined to save the one he loves or die trying.
The song captures the spirit of the time it was written in, with its focus on speed and adrenaline. The lyrics are visceral and provocative, with its references to pain, love, and the quest for freedom. The chorus is extremely catchy, with its use of repetition, and simple yet effective phrasing.
Line by Line Meaning
Running from the nightmare
Escaping a situation that's causing anxiety, fear or distress
In the middle of the road
Feeling trapped and uncertain about which direction to take
Hell's no place for sleeping
Life can be difficult, so don't let your guard down
In a world beyond control
Feeling like events are unfolding beyond your influence and unable to steer them in the direction that you want
Caught in the headlights
Feeling overwhelmed or paralyzed by a challenging situation
Coming after you
The challenges are pressing and trying to catch up with you. It's time to act.
When I woke up this morning / I had to do what I gotta do
Realizing that hard choices must be made in order to succeed in life.
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
The love for someone is so strong it feels like it could harm you.
Give me what I need
I need something to sustain or propel me through this challenge
White lightning
This metaphor may hint that he seeks drugs
Let's speed, on speed
Speeding up, might refer to drug use, doing what's needed to get through this tough time
On wheels, on wheels
This line also hints at drug references and feeling out of control, relying on substances or thrills to feel something tangible.
Greased lightning
Another reference to drugs, particularly speed or amphetamines.
I've seen a train full of pain / On the edge of overload
Referring to people who are using drugs to deal with their pain in extreme measures
In Heaven, baby / You are gonna implode
Giving in to the stress and anxiety can be devastating
I've got these crazy feelings / That I can't explain
Being unable to articulate what's causing the internal turmoil, but it's clear that something needs to change.
I've gotta save you baby / Or I'll die in vain
Trying to rescue someone from similar troubles while pushing himself to his own limits.
Now I'm rushing on the run, yeah / I want to have me some fun
Feeling exhilarated, yet vulnerable, seeking any experience to feel alive.
Oh, set me free / Let's speed
The relief that comes with losing oneself in the moment or using a substance to feel carefree
C'mon
Almost a plea to the self or to the world to provide him with something that will help him cope.
I said speed, speed / Give me what I need / Alright
The powerlessness and desperation of addiction or dependence on a substance, and being resigned to what it means.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management, FOX MUSIC, INC.
Written by: BILLY IDOL, STEVE STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@guerry2628
Running from the nightmare
In the middle of the road
Hell's no place for sleeping
In a world beyond control
Caught in the headlights
Coming after you
When I woke up this morning
I had to do what I gotta do
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
Yaah
Speed
Give me what I need
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
Greased lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
I've seen a train full of pain
On the edge of overload
We're in Heaven, baby
You are gonna implode
I've got these crazy feelings
That I can't explain
I've gotta save you baby
Or I'll die in vain
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
I said blast me to Heaven just for loving you
Yaah
I said speed
Give me what I need
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
Greased lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
I said blast me to Heaven for loving you
Yaah
Now I'm rushing on the run, yeah
I wanna have me some fun
I'll speed
Give me what I need
Oh, set me free
Let's speed
On wheels, on wheels, on wheels
Said speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Com'on
Yaah
I said speed, speed
Give me what I need
I said speed, speed
Give me what I need
Alright
Yaah
@gemo7657
I'm a bus driver, I love this song!!! There's NO way I'd listen to this at work!!
Best Billy Idol song he ever sung!!
@High-OctaneEnglish
@@JSC178 we are at the will of a mad man.
@andreyberezovskiy2866
😂 once I drove my car when was listening this song. I decided never do this again
@johntrevy1
@@High-OctaneEnglishThe will of a mad man, I like that
@FUCKOFUBI
Why not, kids will love it , pedal to the metal...
@TravellinOn2010
Crank it up full noise buddy your passengers will love it.
@cheese26611
Criminally underrated song from Billy Idol/Steve Stevens...crank it up while driving and you're guaranteed a speeding ticket!
@XWILL88X
Facts
@relucena2007
Specially if you get some speed before driving
@christopherjames2673
@@XWILL88X a,q,