Sweet Sixteen (song)

Last updated

"Sweet Sixteen"
Billy Idol Sweet Sixteen 1987 Single Cover.jpg
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Whiplash Smile
B-side "Beyond Belief"
ReleasedApril 1987 (US) [1]
1 June 1987 (UK) [2]
Genre Rock
Length4:14
Label Chrysalis
Songwriter(s) Billy Idol
Producer(s) Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"Don't Need a Gun"
(1987)
"Sweet Sixteen"
(1987)
"Soul Standing By"
(1987)
Music video
"Sweet Sixteen" on YouTube

"Sweet Sixteen" is a song by British singer-songwriter Billy Idol, released in 1987 as the third single from his third studio album Whiplash Smile (1986). The song written by Idol and produced by Keith Forsey. "Sweet Sixteen" peaked at No. 20 in the US and No. 17 in the UK. It was also a hit across Europe and beyond. [3] [4]

Contents

Background

"Sweet Sixteen" was inspired by the true story of Edward Leedskalnin, a Latvian emigrant who single-handedly built the Coral Castle in Florida. In Latvia, Leedskalnin was set to marry Agnes Skuvst, but she broke the engagement and Leedskalnin decided to immigrate to America. He built the Coral Castle there in dedication to Skuvst, who he often referred to as his "Sweet Sixteen". [5] [6] Idol wrote the song after watching "The Castle of Secrets", an episode of Leonard Nimoy's program In Search of... which was based on Coral Castle. [7] The song was written during the making of Idol's 1983 album Rebel Yell . [8]

In his 2014 autobiography, Idol described the song as a "heartfelt lament". He added that while the castle was Leedskalnin's "coral memorial" to his former love, "Sweet Sixteen" was Idol's to his then-girlfriend Perri Lister. [8]

Music video

Two music videos were filmed to promote the single. The black-and-white version, directed by Peter Sinclair, featured Idol performing the song in an empty room. [9] [10] An alternative video, filmed in colour, featured scenes shot at Coral Castle. [11] [12]

Release

The single was released on 7", 12" and cassette by Chrysalis. [13] The B-Side was the Whiplash Smile album track "Beyond Belief. [14] For the 12" single, another track from the album, "One Night, One Chance" was also included. [15] The UK edition of the 12" single, which was also released in some other European countries, included an extended version of "Rebel Yell" instead. [16]

Critical reception

In a contemporary review of Whiplash Smile, Rolling Stone described the song as having an "acoustic shuffle", which "recalled the texture" of Idol's 1984 hit "Eyes Without a Face". [17] Billboard noted in their review of the album: "...quick spins of "World's Forgotten Boy," "Sweet Sixteen," and "Don't Need a Gun" provide positive indication that Idol is rocking on the right track." [18] In a retrospective AllMusic review of the album, Johnny Loftus commented on the song's "weird, Marty Robbins-meets-Del Shannon-in-space vibe." Loftus also selected the song as one of the album's highlights by labelling it an AMG Pick Track. [19] On the 30th anniversary of the album, Ultimate Classic Rock described the song as a "relatively stripped-back acoustic love song". [20]

Formats

7" single
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Beyond Belief" – 4:00
7" single (Costa Rican release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Man For All Seasons" – 4:38
7" single (US promo release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
7" single (Australian limited edition double-pack release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Beyond Belief" – 4:00
  3. "Mony Mony (Extended Version)" – 5:01
  4. "White Wedding (Extended Version)" – 8:20
12" single (UK and European release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Beyond Belief" – 4:00
  3. "Rebel Yell (Extended Version)" – 4:45
12" single (European release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Beyond Belief" – 4:00
  3. "One Night, One Chance" – 3:52
12" single (US promo release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
Cassette single (UK release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "Beyond Belief" – 4:00
Cassette single (Canadian limited edition release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "White Wedding" – 4:12
Cassette single (1990 US release)
  1. "Sweet Sixteen" – 4:14
  2. "To Be a Lover" – 3:51

Charts

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Ray Cyrus</span> American country singer and actor (born 1961)

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country singer, songwriter and actor. Having released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, he is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in the same country in 1992. Due to the song's music video, the line dance rose in popularity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Leedskalnin</span> Builder of Coral Castle

Edward Leedskalnin was a Latvian immigrant to the United States and self-taught engineer who single-handedly built the Coral Castle in Florida, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Leedskalnin was also known for developing theories of magnetism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony James (musician)</span> English pop musician and record producer

Anthony Eric James is an English pop musician and record producer, who was the bassist for the 1970s–1980s bands Generation X, Sigue Sigue Sputnik and the Sisters of Mercy.

<i>Idol Songs: 11 of the Best</i> 1988 greatest hits album by Billy Idol

Idol Songs: 11 of the Best is a greatest hits album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 20 June 1988 by Chrysalis Records. It comprises all the singles released from his first three studio albums—Billy Idol, Rebel Yell and Whiplash Smile—as well as the live version of "Mony Mony" and re-recorded Generation X song "Dancing with Myself", both of which appeared on Idol's debut EP Don't Stop. A limited edition of the album contains two extra remixes, and another limited edition contains four extra remixes. The album reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). In 2003, the album was reissued with a different title and cover as The Essential.

<i>Billy Idol</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Billy Idol

Billy Idol is the debut studio album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 16 July 1982 by Chrysalis Records. After the breakup of the band Generation X and the release of his first solo extended play, Don't Stop (1981), Idol began working on his debut album. Produced by Keith Forsey, Billy Idol is a rock album with strong influences of new wave music.

<i>Whiplash Smile</i> 1986 studio album by Billy Idol

Whiplash Smile is the third studio album by the English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 20 October 1986 by Chrysalis Records. After his successful studio album Rebel Yell (1983), Idol continued his collaboration with producer Keith Forsey and guitarist Steve Stevens while writing and producing songs for the album. The album utilizes Stevens' characteristic guitar work, dance beats, and synth-heavy production.

<i>Vital Idol</i> 1985 remix album by Billy Idol

Vital Idol is a remix album by English rock singer Billy Idol, released on 31 May 1985 by Chrysalis Records. It contains remixed songs from his first two albums and the Don't Stop EP. The album was reissued in the United States with one extra track in September 1987, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard 200. The US release was supported by a non-album live single version of "Mony Mony".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebel Yell (song)</span> 1983 song by Billy Idol

"Rebel Yell" is a song by English-American rock musician Billy Idol. It is the title track of his second album Rebel Yell (1983), and was released as the album's lead single in January 1984 by Chrysalis Records. Initially, it only reached No. 62 in the UK and No. 46 in the US upon its release. However, a 1985 re-issue proved to be a big hit, peaking at no. 6 in the UK. The song received wide critical acclaim and in 2009 was named the 79th best hard rock song of all time by VH1 based on a public vote.

"Top Gun Anthem" is an instrumental rock composition and the theme of the Top Gun media franchise, including the original 1986 film Top Gun and its 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Harold Faltermeyer wrote the music with Steve Stevens playing guitar and Faltermeyer on the keyboard on the recording. In the film, the full song is played in the film's ending scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancing with Myself</span> 1980 single by Gen X

"Dancing with Myself" is a song by the punk rock band Gen X, first commercially released in the United Kingdom in October 1980, where it reached number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. It was remixed and re-released by the band's singer/frontman Billy Idol as a solo artist in the United States in 1981, where the song reached number 27 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Nouvelle Vague covered the number in 2006 and released it on their album, Bande à Part.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mony Mony</span> 1968 single by Tommy James and the Shondells

"Mony Mony" is a 1968 single by American pop rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 3 in the U.S. Written by Bobby Bloom, Ritchie Cordell, Bo Gentry, and Tommy James, the song has appeared in various film and television works such as the Oliver Stone drama Heaven & Earth. It was also covered by English singer-songwriter Billy Idol in 1981. Idol's version, which took in more of a rock sound, became an international top 40 hit and additionally revived public interest in the original garage rock single. Idol recorded a live version in 1985 which was ultimately released in 1987 where it became an even bigger hit than the Shondells' 1968 original, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cradle of Love (Billy Idol song)</span> 1990 single by Billy Idol

"Cradle of Love" is a rock song written by Billy Idol and David Werner for Idol's 1990 fourth studio album Charmed Life. The song is the album's sixth track and was released as its first single. "Cradle of Love" became Idol's last top-10 hit in the United States, where it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also Idol's first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. On the UK Single Chart, it stalled at No. 34.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Idol</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1955)

William Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, is a British and American singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of the group Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol a lead artist during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in the US. The name "Billy Idol" was inspired by a schoolteacher's description of him as "idle".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam in Chains</span> 1993 single by Billy Idol

"Adam in Chains" is a song by English rock musician Billy Idol, released in 1993 as the third single from his album Cyberpunk. The song was written by Idol and Robin Hancock, and produced by Hancock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Idol discography</span>

The discography of Billy Idol, his solo recordings post-Generation X, consists of seven studio albums, one live album, seven compilation albums, three extended plays, and 37 singles.

"To Be a Lover" is a song written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones originally as "I Forgot to Be Your Lover", but best known as a cover by Billy Idol on his third studio album Whiplash Smile (1986). As the album's lead single, it became Idol's second top ten hit in the US, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Kings & Queens of the Underground</i> 2014 studio album by Billy Idol

Kings & Queens of the Underground is the eighth studio album by English rock vocalist Billy Idol, released on 17 October 2014 by BFI Records. It was Idol's first album of new original material since Devil's Playground (2005) and only his third album in over twenty years. The album debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200, becoming Idol's highest-debuting album to date. The album also peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart for the week of 8 November 2014. Videos were released for the songs "Can't Break Me Down" and "Save Me Now".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Need a Gun</span> 1987 single by Billy Idol

"Don't Need a Gun" is a song by Billy Idol from his 1986 studio album Whiplash Smile. It became the album's second single in 1987, and was a #37 pop hit in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soul Standing By</span> 1987 single by Billy Idol

"Soul Standing By" is a song by Billy Idol from his 1986 studio album Whiplash Smile. It was released as a single in Australia and New Zealand and was a top 20 hit in the latter.

"What Am I Living For" is a song written by Fred Jay and Art Harris and performed by Chuck Willis featuring the Reggie Obrecht Orchestra and Chorus. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. R&B chart and #9 on the U.S. pop chart in 1958.

References

  1. "Great Rock Discography". p. 405.
  2. Stickland, Andy (30 May 1987). "News Digest". Record Mirror . p. 28. ISSN   0144-5804.
  3. "billy idol | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  4. "Billy Idol – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  5. "Edward Leedskalnin and his Coral Castle in Florida". Latvian History. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. Kevin Wuench (2 June 2014). "Monday lost and found: The bizarre story behind Billy Idol's 'Sweet Sixteen'". Tampabay.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  7. "Billy Idol explains Sweet Sixteen background: first two Minutes". YouTube. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Preview Billy Idol's Candid Memoir 'Dancing With Myself'". Rolling Stone. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  9. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen". YouTube. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  10. "Billy Idol: Sweet Sixteen (Video 1987) - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  11. Gladys L. Knight (11 August 2014). Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture [3 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 213. ISBN   9780313398834.
  12. "Billy Idol Sweet Sixteen". YouTube. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  13. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  14. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  15. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  16. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  17. Tannenbaum, Rob (4 December 1986). "Whiplash Smile". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  18. "Billboard – Google Books". 18 October 1986. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  19. Johnny Loftus. "Whiplash Smile – Billy Idol | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  20. "30 Years Ago: Billy Idol Releases His Third Album, 'Whiplash Smile'". Ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  21. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 147. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  22. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  23. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  24. "Image: RPM Weekly – Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  25. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 163. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  26. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". The Irish Charts. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  27. "Indice per Interprete: I". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  28. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  29. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  30. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  31. Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1965–1989 Acts (I)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  32. "Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  33. "Billy Idol: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  34. "Billy Idol Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  35. "Billy Idol Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  36. "Offiziellecharts.de – Billy Idol – Sweet Sixteen" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  37. "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report . Retrieved 11 December 2019 via Imgur.
  38. "Jaaroverzichten 1987". Ultratop. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  39. "European Charts of the Year 1987: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  40. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  41. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  42. "END OF YEAR CHARTS 1987". Official New Zealand Music Chart . Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  43. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 26 September 2021.