Don't Need a Gun

"Don't Need a Gun"
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Whiplash Smile
B-side"Fatal Charm"
ReleasedJanuary 1987 (US)[1]
16 February 1987 (UK)[2]
GenreRock
Length
  • 6:15 (album version)
  • 4:28 (7-inch version)
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Billy Idol
Producer(s)Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"To Be a Lover"
(1986) 		"Don't Need a Gun"
(1987) 		"Sweet Sixteen"
(1987)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Don't Need a Gun" on YouTube

"Don't Need a Gun" is a song by English rock musician Billy Idol, released in 1987 as the second single from his third studio album, Whiplash Smile (1986). The song, written by Idol and produced by Keith Forsey, combines rock, pop and dance with lyrics on the dangers of firearms. The 7-inch single, backed with Whiplash Smile album track "Fatal Charm", is shortened to four minutes and 28 seconds from the six minute and 15 second album version.

While not as successful as the prior or following singles, "To Be a Lover" and "Sweet Sixteen" respectively, the song reached #37 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #10 on the Mainstream Rock chart. A music video, directed by Julien Temple, continued Idol's success on MTV.

Composition and lyrics

"Don't Need a Gun" is a rock song,[3] with elements of punk rock, hard rock and "dancefloor-friendly beats."[4] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by BMG Rights Management, the song is written in the key of E major and is set in the time signature of common time with a tempo of 120 beats per minute.[5] The verses have an atmospheric, "new wave-ish" sound, making use of synthesizers, giving way to more rock-influenced choruses.[6]

Written by Billy Idol, the song has lyrics on the dangers of firearms, knives and Russian roulette. The chorus of "Don't Need a Gun" references the songs "Tutti Frutti", "Flip, Flop and Fly" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". The final verse name-checks Elvis Presley, Johnnie Ray and Gene Vincent.[7]

Background and release

Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens had traveled to London in 1986 to mix "Don't Need a Gun", which they recorded in 1985–1986 with the rest of Whiplash Smile, and to find new band members. On The Beat spotted the two in the VIP room of the, then newly opened, Limelight nightclub. A couple of nights later, Idol returned to celebrate his 31st birthday with a few friends.[8]

"Don't Need a Gun" was released in the US as the second single from Whiplash Smile in January 1987. While not as successful as the previous single, "To Be a Lover", the song was another top 40 hit for Idol, and charted even higher when released in the UK on 16 February 1987. The strength of the two singles, and the following "Sweet Sixteen" helped the album tie with Rebel Yell (1983) as Idol's most successful on the Billboard 200.[9]

Music video

The music video, directed by Julien Temple, features Idol and Stevens performing the song at a liquor store crime scene in Hollywood.[6]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't Need a Gun"Billy Idol4:30
2."Fatal Charm"
3:51

Personnel

Credits adapted from Whiplash Smile liner notes.[10]

Charts

Chart (1987) Peak
position
Germany[11] 36
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 27
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 29
UK Singles (OCC)[14] 26
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 37
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[16] 10

References

  1. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). Great Rock Discography. Canongate Press. p. 405. ISBN 978-0-86241-541-9.
  2. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 13.
  3. ^ Echazabal, Gabe (May 6, 2018). "Review: 34 years after their first encounter, Billy Idol and an obsessed fanboy meet again at Clearwater's Capitol Theatre". Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  4. ^ Peacock, Tim (October 20, 2024). "'Whiplash Smile': Billy Idol's Confident Third Album". uDiscover Music. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  5. ^ "Bill Idol "Don't Need a Gun" Sheet Music in E Major". Musicnotes.com. BMG Rights Management. March 19, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Reesman, Bryan (April 4, 2024). "8 Diverse Deep Cuts from Billy Idol". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  7. ^ Tannenbaum, Rob (December 4, 1986). "Whiplash Smile". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  8. ^ Gett, Steve (December 13, 1986). "On the Beat's London Vacation: Rummaging Through the Rumors". Billboard. p. 70. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  9. ^ Hadusek, Jon (June 25, 2025). "Billy Idol Announces Vinyl Reissues of Don't Stop, Whiplash Smile, and Charmed Life". Consequence. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  10. ^ "Whiplash Smile". Discogs. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  11. ^ "spanishcharts.com - Billy Idol - Don't Need A Gun". Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "Billy Idol – Don't Need a Gun". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  13. ^ "Billy Idol – Don't Need a Gun". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  14. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  15. ^ "Billy Idol Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  16. ^ "Billy Idol Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
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