Speed (Billy Idol song)

"Speed "is a single by British rock singer / songwriter Billy Idol, included originally in the soundtrack of the eponymous film. It was released in June 1994 as its main song through Chrysalis Records.

"Speed"
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Speed Soundtrack
ReleasedJune 1994 (US)
29 August 1994 (UK)
Recorded1994, Los Angeles, U.S.
GenreHard rock, heavy metal
Length4:22 (single version)
LabelChrysalis, Arista
Songwriter(s)Billy Idol, Steve Stevens
Producer(s)Billy Idol, Ralph Sall, Steve Stevens
Billy Idol singles chronology
"Wasteland"
(1993)		 "Speed"
(1994)		 "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
(2001)

Background

In early 1994, producers of the film Speed chose prestigious record producer Ralph Sall as music supervisor of the soundtrack. Sall was in charge of creating a concept album with a compilation of new and old songs in different genres and diverse artist, with a theme similar to this action thriller film. In fact, Speed soundtrack has, in some way or the other, songs about speed, cars or travelling.[1]

Shortly after, Sall contacted Bily Idol and his close collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens, to compose and record the film's main song with a lyrics inspired by its plot.

By that time, Idol's career was convulsed and in full decline after the critical and financial failure with his album Cyberpunk (1993). In addition, he was facing economic differences with his record label (EMI), and his personal problems with drug abuse were on the rise.[2][3] Thus, this new song was an important opportunity to returns to his audience.

"Speed" was composed and recorded in a short time in Los Angeles with the support of an unccredited band, possibly completed with drummer Mark Schulman and bassist Larry Seymour (live members by that time). The song is based on a similar drum tempo and guitar riff that was the basis for the "Rebel Yell" hit (1983), following the same formula in terms of feeling.

The single was promoted with a music video that mixed some of the most vibrant scenes of the film along with a fictional live performance of Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and the rest of their rock band.[4]

Releases

"Speed" was released on CD Maxi-single and cassette, originally in June 1994 in U.S. under British company Chrysalis Records (acquired by EMI in 1991), the usual record label of Billy Idol. In August, it was released in the UK and the rest of the world through Arista Records.

The single includes three different versions of "Speed" and a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell" (until then unreleased) accompanying the lead song only on the UK CD single release. This version not only showcases Idol's strong live voice, but Stevens frenetic and intricate guitar playing.

In 2008, "Speed" was included in the recompilation album The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself.

Reception

Despite the great commercial and critical success of the film, the title song didn't have the same fate, due to its poor reception around the world.

In Billboard Mainstream Rock, "Speed" peaked number 38 on 23 July 1994. In the UK Singles Chart, it reached number 47 on 9 October that year,[5] being the last Billy Idol single on the British charts to date.

Track list
  1. "Speed (Single Version)" - 4:22
  2. "Speed (Extended Version)" - 5:22
  3. "Speed (Instrumental)" - 5:23
  4. "Rebel Yell (Acoustic Version)" - 5:35 *

Charts
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [6] 33
Finland (The Official Finnish Charts) [7] 12
France (SNEP) [8] 33
New Zealand Music Chart[9] 40
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [10] 39
UK Singles Chart [11] 47
U. S. (Billboard Mainstream Rock)[12] 38

Personnel
  • Design - Jigsaw [London] Ltd.
  • Engineer - Clif Norrell
  • Engineer [Recording] - Biff Dawes (track four)
  • Producer - Billy Idol, Ralph Sall, Steve Stevens
  • Written by - Billy Idol, Steve Stevens

References
  1. "Speed: Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture (Soundtrack)". Retrieved May 4, 2011.
  2. The Times (London, England). (8 August 1994): News: p5. "The British rock star Billy Idol was released from hospital in Burbank, California, after he was admitted in a critical condition from an apparent drug overdose on Friday night."
  3. "Rock Star Billy Idol Released After 'Possible Overdose' Hospitalizes Him". Latimes.com. 7 August 1994. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  5. "speed - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  6. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 Singles 1994". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  7. "Billy Idol - Speed". Finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  8. "Billy Idol - Speed". Lescharts.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  10. "Discography Billy Idol". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  11. "BILLY IDOL - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  12. "Billy Idol - Chart history - Billboard". Billboard.com. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
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