"Speed" | ||||
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Single by Billy Idol | ||||
from the album Speed Soundtrack | ||||
Released | 30 August 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1994 | |||
Studio | Los Angeles | |||
Length | 4:22 (single version) | |||
Label | Arista, Chrysalis | |||
Songwriter(s) | Billy Idol, Steve Stevens | |||
Producer(s) | Billy Idol, Ralph Sall, Steve Stevens | |||
Billy Idol singles chronology | ||||
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"Speed" is a song by British singer-songwriter Billy Idol, originally included in the soundtrack of the eponymous film. It was written by himself and by guitarist Steve Stevens, and released in August 1994 as the film's main song through Arista Records worldwide and Chrysalis Records in the United States.
In early 1994, producers of the film Speed chose 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 featuring diverse artists, with a theme similar to this action thriller film. The resulting soundtrack contains 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 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 return to his audience.
"Speed" was composed and recorded in a short time in Los Angeles with the support of an uncredited 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 Idol's "Rebel Yell" hit (1983), following the same formula in terms of feeling.
Arista Records released "Speed" on 7-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette in the United Kingdom on 30 August 1994. [4] 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. In 2008, "Speed" was included in the compilation album The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself . 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. [5]
On the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, "Speed" peaked at number 38 on 23 July 1994. On the UK Singles Chart, it reached number 47 on 9 October that year, [6] becoming Idol's last charting single in the UK.
Upon its release, David Quantick of NME described "Speed" as "an appropriately silly song" and "a great theme for a bloke who keeps coming off his bike". He added that the single includes a "hilariously pointless instrumental version" and an "acoustic version" of "Rebel Yell" with "loads of electric guitars on it and one acoustic guitar". [7]
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA) [8] | 33 |
Finland (The Official Finnish Charts) [9] | 12 |
France (SNEP) [10] | 33 |
New Zealand Music Chart [11] | 40 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [12] | 39 |
UK Singles Chart [13] | 47 |
US Album Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) [14] | 38 |
Rebel Yell is the second studio album by the English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 10 November 1983 by Chrysalis Records. After the release of his 1982 eponymous debut studio album, Idol continued his collaboration with producer Keith Forsey and multi-instrumentalist Steve Stevens. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Initially recording without a drummer, utilizing only the electronic drum machines LinnDrum and Roland TR-808, Forsey and Stevens later decided to hire Thommy Price to play drums on some of the songs. Musically, Rebel Yell is a new wave album with strong pop rock and hard rock influences. The cover sleeve and images were shot by Brian Griffin. Idol got the idea of the album's title after attending a party with the Rolling Stones and drinking Rebel Yell bourbon whiskey.
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