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).
Super Overdrive
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With an Idol mind
Straight up, ready to go
Announce the time
Does he still have the magic?
Yes he does
He'll be famous
Just because
You know you're gonna have
To turn around
Just because you have to change
Your mind sometimes
Yeah, you're gonna have to
Turn around
Ride my rocket
[Chorus:]
Round and round
And round we go
One time before I die
Round and round and
Round the world
In super overdrive
See the world through a little hole
See it fly by
Here I am in super overdrive
Super overdrive
Super overdrive
I'm slidin' on the swings
I'm swingin' on the slides, I'm alive
Fuel-injected, passion-erected, death-defied
One day it's gonna come, boy
You're gonna pay
That ain't today ridin' on the Milky Way
On the Milky Way
You know you're gonna have
To turn around
Just because you have to change
Your mind sometimes
Yeah you're gonna have to
Turn around
Bite the bullet
[Chorus]
One, two, three, four
Well in the Devil's playground
With an Idol mind
Straight up, ready to go
Announce the time
Does he still have the magic?
Yes he does
He'll be famous
Just because
Just because
Round and round and round we go
One time before I die
Round and round and
Round the world
In super overdrive
[Chorus]
Here I am in super overdrive
Here I am in super overdrive
Here I am in super overdrive
Super overdrive
Repeat
The lyrics to Billy Idol's "Super Overdrive" depict a rebellious, risk-taking attitude with a desire to experience life to the fullest. The Devil's playground represents the world where people are tempted to participate in sinful activities. The Idol mind refers to the singer's self-assured nature and confidence in his choices. He is "straight up, ready to go," unafraid to take on challenges and live to the fullest.
The singer is aware of his appeal and believes that he has the "magic" to become famous. He believes that he will be noticed "just because" of his natural charisma and talent. He encourages others to take risks, turn around, and "bite the bullet" when necessary, emphasizing the importance of changing the mind sometimes.
The singer wants to experience life to the fullest and enjoins his listeners to join him, flying around the world in "super overdrive." He is invigorated by the rush of adrenaline and passion, referring to himself as "fuel-injected, passion-erected, death-defied." The chorus, "Round and round and round we go" underscores the dizzying experience of living in the fast lane.
Line by Line Meaning
In the Devil's playground
Billy Idol is in a place where temptations and sins are prevalent
With an Idol mind
His mind is filled with thoughts of himself, his image, and his fame
Straight up, ready to go
He is confident, focused, and determined to succeed
Announce the time
He is ready to make his mark, to show the world what he's capable of
Does he still have the magic?
He wonders if he's still got what it takes to be a superstar
Yes he does
He has the confidence and talent to succeed
He'll be famous
His hard work and dedication will pay off and make him famous
Just because
He will succeed just because he has the drive and determination to do so
You know you're gonna have
Sometimes in life, you'll have to
To turn around
Go back on what you previously believed or thought
Just because you have to change
Change is unavoidable
Your mind sometimes
You may change your opinions or views
Yeah, you're gonna have to
It's a reality of life
Turn around
Backtrack, reconsider, or reevaluate your decisions or actions
Ride my rocket
Billy Idol encourages listeners to join him on his journey and experience his thrill of success
Round and round
Life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs, victories and defeats
And round we go
This cycle is never-ending
One time before I die
Billy Idol wants to succeed and experience the thrill of success at least once before he dies
Round the world in super overdrive
He wants to tour the world and perform in his highest level
See the world through a little hole
Experience the world through a new and unique perspective
See it fly by
Experience the world swiftly
I'm slidin' on the swings
Billy Idol feels like he is still young and vibrant, enjoying the exhilarating ups and downs of life
I'm swingin' on the slides, I'm alive
He feels youthful and exhilarated with life, loving every moment of it
Fuel-injected, passion-erected, death-defied
He is full of energy, passion, and creativity, and he defies any challenges, including death itself
One day it's gonna come, boy
One day, he knows he'll have to face the consequences of his actions
You're gonna pay
He'll have to pay the price for his sins or mistakes
That ain't today ridin' on the Milky Way
But he's not thinking about that today, he's immersed in the beauty and majesty of the galaxy
Bite the bullet
He asks listeners to face their problems and take responsibility for their actions
Here I am in super overdrive
He is expressing his joy and excitement over his current state of success and accomplishment
Super overdrive
He is at the peak of his game and enjoying every moment of it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BILLY IDOL, BRIAN T TICHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Venus Diane Luna
on Mother Dawn
Super Sexy!!!!