To Be a Lover: Difference between revisions

"To Be a Lover"
"To Be a Lover"
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Whiplash Smile
B-side	"All Summer Single"
Released	22 September 1986
Recorded	1986
Genre	New wave
Length	3:52
Label	Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)	William Bell; Booker T. Jones;
Producer(s)	Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
Music video
	"To Be a Lover" on YouTube

"I Forgot to Be Your Lover"
"I Forgot to Be Your Lover"
Single by William Bell
B-side	"Bring the Curtain Down"
Released	November 1968
Recorded	1968
Genre	Southern soul
Length	2:19
Label	Stax
Songwriter(s)	William Bell; Booker Jones;
Producer(s)	Booker T. Jones
William Bell singles chronology

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"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^[2] and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart.^[3]

William Bell recording

The song was written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones, and originally performed by Bell as a soul ballad titled "I Forgot to Be Your Lover". It was released in late 1968 and hitting No. 45 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in early 1969.

Other soul interpretations

The Mad Lads released a lush orchestral soul version of the song on their 1973 album A New Beginning, also released by Stax/Volt.

The opening line was the inspiration for the song Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison on his 1989 album Avalon Sunset.

The Black Keys released a version of the song on their 2024 album Ohio Players. In 2002 R&B artist Jaheim sampled "To Be A Lover" in his hit song "Put That Woman First".

Reggae versions

In 1971, Lee "Scratch" Perry produced an early reggae version of the song, performed in an uptempo style by Shenley Duffus with Perry's studio band the Upsetters, with the title shortened to "To Be a Lover". In 1977, Perry again produced the song, this time for George Faith.^[4]^[a] This version, also called simply "To Be a Lover",^[b] was heavily shaped by Perry's Black Ark sound and effects and featured backing vocals from the Meditations and Mighty Diamonds.^[4] It appeared on Faith's album Super Eight, which was released as To Be a Lover in the UK.^[4]

Billy Idol version

In 1986, the track was reworked and became the second high-profile cover version Billy Idol released as a single, after 1981's "Mony Mony". Billy Idol was introduced to the song by the George Faith reggae version—he initially was unaware of the original William Bell release,^[5] and so retained the truncated title "To Be a Lover". He more radically transformed the song, adding a more rockabilly feel and danceable beat to its soulful underpinnings.^[5]

The single was backed by Whiplash Smile album track "All Summer Single". Two different 12" singles were also released worldwide (one in the UK and one in Australia), featuring the aforementioned track and two extended remixes of "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" (6:45) and "Rock 'n' Roll Mix" (Australia and New Zealand only). The "Mother of Mercy Mix" differs quite significantly from the single version; it is a harder sounding song, with a prominent heavy guitar riff by Steve Stevens dominating most of the track and an interlude with distorted female groans. It is this version that is featured on the 1987 US and 1988 Japan editions of the remix compilation album Vital Idol (1985). The UK 12" was also released as a limited-edition picture disc.^[6] A music video was also released, which was popular on MTV. ^[7]

Critical reception

Billboard called it a "foot-twitching disco/rockabilly fusion."^[8] Cash Box said it's "full of...bad boy sexiness."^[9]

Formats and track listings

7": Chrysalis – IDOL 8 (UK)

"To Be a Lover" – 3:50
"All Summer Single" – 4:33

12": Chrysalis – IDOLX 8 (UK)

"To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
"To Be a Lover" – 3:50
"All Summer Single" – 4:33

Also available as a picture disc (IDOLP 8)

12": Festival Records – X 14449 (Australia and New Zealand)

"To Be a Lover (Rock 'n' Roll Mix)" – 7:11
"To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
"All Summer Single" – 4:33

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
Chart (1986-1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[10]	3
Canadian RPM Top Singles^[11]	7
Italy (Musica e Dischi)^[12]	18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[13]	2
US Billboard Hot 100^[2]	6

Year-end charts

1986 year-end chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
Chart (1986)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[14]	79

1987 year-end chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
Chart (1987)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[15]	34
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)^[16]	64

Certifications

Certifications for "To Be a Lover"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[17]	Gold	50,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Bruce Springsteen version

Bruce Springsteen recorded the song for his twenty-first studio album, Only the Strong Survive (2022).

Notes

^ Perry had recorded the sing earlier in the decade for the singer when he was known as Earl George and this version also appears on the 2003 CD re-release of the album To Be a Lover.
^ The song was titled "To Be a Lover (Have Mercy)" on its album release.

References

^ Breihan, Tom (26 March 2021). "The Number Ones: Billy Idol's "Mony Mony". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 November 2023. In 1986, Idol made it back into the top 10, when his cover of the William Bell Southern-soul oldie "To Be A Lover" reached #6.
^ ^a ^b "Billy Idol | Awards". AllMusic. 30 November 1955. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 266. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c Teacher. "George Faith – To Be A Lover." Reggae Vibes. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b "When Billy Idol met Steve Cropper: 'A long-haired chap came up to me'." Something Else! 30 September 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
^ "To Be A Lover" at Discogs
^ MTV Programming, 20 December, 1986
^ "Reviews". Billboard. 4 October 1986. p. 79. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 4 October 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ Peaked on RPM 100 Singles Chart on 6 December 1986
^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 31 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Billy Idol".
^ "charts.nz Billy Idol "To Be A Lover"" (ASP). Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved 24 January 2023 – via Imgur.
^ "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via Imgur.
^ "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. 26 December 1987.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Billy Idol – To Be a Lover". Music Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

[5] Perry had recorded the sing earlier in the decade for the singer when he was known as Earl George and this version also appears on the 2003 CD re-release of the album To Be a Lover.

[6] The song was titled "To Be a Lover (Have Mercy)" on its album release.

[Breihan_2021-1] Breihan, Tom (26 March 2021). "The Number Ones: Billy Idol's "Mony Mony". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 November 2023. In 1986, Idol made it back into the top 10, when his cover of the William Bell Southern-soul oldie "To Be A Lover" reached #6.

[Charts-2] "Billy Idol | Awards". AllMusic. 30 November 1955. Retrieved 9 April 2014.

[British_Hit_Singles_&_Albums-3] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 266. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

[Teacher-4] Teacher. "George Faith – To Be A Lover." Reggae Vibes. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.

[Something-7] "When Billy Idol met Steve Cropper: 'A long-haired chap came up to me'." Something Else! 30 September 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2022.

[8] "To Be A Lover" at Discogs

[9] MTV Programming, 20 December, 1986

[10] "Reviews". Billboard. 4 October 1986. p. 79. Retrieved 4 August 2022.

[cb-11] "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 4 October 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 4 August 2022.

[12] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[13] Peaked on RPM 100 Singles Chart on 6 December 1986

[14] "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 31 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Billy Idol".

[15] "charts.nz Billy Idol "To Be A Lover"" (ASP). Hung Medien. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved 17 May 2017.

[aus86-16] "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved 24 January 2023 – via Imgur.

[17] "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via Imgur.

[18] "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. 26 December 1987.

[CanadaBilly_IdolTo_Be_a_LoversingleCertRef-19] "Canadian single certifications – Billy Idol – To Be a Lover". Music Canada. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|1986 single by Billy Idol}}
+{{Short description|1968 song}}
 {{Use British English|date=October 2014}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}{{Infobox song
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 | studio     =
 | venue      =
+| genre      = [[Southern soul]]<ref name= "Breihan 2021">{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Billy Idol's "Mony Mony|website= [[Stereogum]] |date= March 26, 2021|url= https://www.stereogum.com/2122043/the-number-ones-billy-idols-mony-mony/columns/the-number-ones/|quote= In 1986, Idol made it back into the top 10, when his cover of the William Bell Southern-soul oldie “To Be A Lover” reached #6.|accessdate= November 8, 2023}}</ref>
-| genre      = [[Southern soul]]
 | length     = 2:19
 | label      = [[Stax Records|Stax]]
@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 | next_year  = 1968
 }}
-"'''To Be a Lover'''" is a song written by [[William Bell (singer)|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 1986 album ''[[Whiplash Smile]]''. As the album's lead single, it became Idol's second top ten hit in the US, peaking at No. 6 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot 100]]<ref name="Charts"/> and No. 22 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
+"'''To Be a Lover'''" is a song written by [[William Bell (singer)|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 (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot 100]]<ref name="Charts"/> and No. 22 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
 | first= David
 | last= Roberts
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 ==William Bell recording==
-The song was written by [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]] and [[Booker T. Jones]], and originally performed by Bell as a [[soul music|soul]] ballad titled "I Forgot to Be Your Lover". It was released in late 1968 and hitting No. 45 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 on ''Billboard''′s [[Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles]] chart in early 1969.  This version has since been sampled by [[Ludacris]] on his song "Growing Pains" from ''[[Word of Mouf]]'' (2001), by [[Jaheim]] on "Put That Woman First" from ''[[Still Ghetto]]'' (2002) and by [[Dilated Peoples]] on the song "Worst Comes to Worst".
+The song was written by [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]] and [[Booker T. Jones]], and originally performed by Bell as a [[soul music|soul]] ballad titled "I Forgot to Be Your Lover". It was released in late 1968 and hitting No. 45 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles]] chart in early 1969.
 ==Other soul interpretations==
-[[The Mad Lads]] released a lush orchestral soul version of the song on their 1973 album ''[[A New Beginning (The Mad Lads album)|A New Beginning]]'', also released by [[Stax/Volt]].
+[[The Mad Lads]] released a lush orchestral soul version of the song on their 1973 album ''A New Beginning'', also released by [[Stax Records|Stax/Volt]].
+The opening line was the inspiration for the song ''[[Have I Told You Lately]]'' by [[Van Morrison]] on his 1989 album ''[[Avalon Sunset]]''.
+[[The Black Keys]] released a version of the song on their 2024 album [[Ohio Players (album)|Ohio Players]]. In 2002 R&B artist Jaheim sampled "To Be A Lover" in his hit song "Put That Woman First".
 ==Reggae versions==
-In 1971, [[Lee "Scratch" Perry]] produced an early reggae version of the song, performed in an uptempo style by [[Shenley Duffus]] with Perry's studio band [[the Upsetters]], with the title shortened to "To Be a Lover".  In 1977, Perry again produced the song, this time for [[George Faith]].<ref name="Teacher">Teacher. [https://www.reggae-vibes.com/reviews/2021/01/george-faith-to-be-a-lover/ "George Faith – To Be A Lover."] ''Reggae Vibes.'' 11 January 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.</ref>{{efn|Perry had recorded the sing earlier in the decade for the singer when he was known as Earl George and this version also appears on the 2003 CD re-release of the album ''To Be a Lover''.}} This version, also called simply "To Be a Lover",{{efn|The song was titled "To Be a Lover (Have Mercy)" on its album release.}} was heavily shaped by Perry's [[Black Ark Studios|Black Ark]] sound and effects and featured backing vocals from [[the Meditations]] and [[Mighty Diamonds]].<ref name="Teacher"/> It appeared on Faith's album ''Super Eight'', which was released as ''[[To Be a Lover (album)|To Be a Lover]]'' in the UK.<ref name="Teacher"/>
+In 1971, [[Lee "Scratch" Perry]] produced an early reggae version of the song, performed in an uptempo style by Shenley Duffus with Perry's studio band [[the Upsetters]], with the title shortened to "To Be a Lover".  In 1977, Perry again produced the song, this time for [[George Faith]].<ref name="Teacher">Teacher. [https://www.reggae-vibes.com/reviews/2021/01/george-faith-to-be-a-lover/ "George Faith – To Be A Lover."] ''Reggae Vibes.'' 11 January 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2022.</ref>{{efn|Perry had recorded the sing earlier in the decade for the singer when he was known as Earl George and this version also appears on the 2003 CD re-release of the album ''To Be a Lover''.}} This version, also called simply "To Be a Lover",{{efn|The song was titled "To Be a Lover (Have Mercy)" on its album release.}} was heavily shaped by Perry's [[Black Ark Studios|Black Ark]] sound and effects and featured backing vocals from [[the Meditations]] and [[Mighty Diamonds]].<ref name="Teacher"/> It appeared on Faith's album ''Super Eight'', which was released as ''To Be a Lover'' in the UK.<ref name="Teacher"/>
 ==Billy Idol version==
@@ Line 69: / Line 73: @@
 | misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|_L9epO3tJT4|"To Be a Lover"}}}}
 }}
+In 1986, the track was reworked and became the second high-profile [[cover version]] Billy Idol released as a single, after 1981's "[[Mony Mony#Billy Idol version|Mony Mony]]". Billy Idol was introduced to the song by the George Faith reggae version—he initially was unaware of the original William Bell release,<ref name="Something">[https://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/09/30/billy-idol-steve-cropper/ "When Billy Idol met Steve Cropper: 'A long-haired chap came up to me'."] ''Something Else!'' 30 September 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2022.</ref> and so retained the truncated title "To Be a Lover". He more radically transformed the song, adding a more [[rockabilly]] feel and danceable beat to its soulful underpinnings.<ref name="Something"/>
+The single was backed by ''[[Whiplash Smile]]'' album track "All Summer Single". Two different [[Twelve-inch single|12" singles]] were also released worldwide (one in the [[UK]] and one in [[Australia]]), featuring the aforementioned track and two extended remixes of "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" (6:45) and "Rock 'n' Roll Mix" (Australia and New Zealand only). The "Mother of Mercy Mix" differs quite significantly from the single version; it is a harder sounding song, with a prominent heavy guitar riff by [[Steve Stevens]] dominating most of the track and an interlude with distorted female groans. It is this version that is featured on the 1987 US and 1988 [[Japan]] editions of the remix compilation album ''[[Vital Idol]]'' (1985). The UK 12" was also released as a limited-edition [[picture disc]].<ref>{{Discogs release|1963691|To Be A Lover|type=single}}</ref> A music video was also released, which was popular on MTV. <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=2SQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Programming+rotation+idol+%22be+a+lover%22&pg=PA38 MTV Programming, 20 December, 1986]</ref>
-In 1986, the track was reworked and became the second high-profile [[cover song]] Billy Idol released as a single, after 1981's "[[Mony Mony#Billy Idol version|Mony Mony]]". Billy Idol was introduced to the song by the George Faith reggae version—he initially was unaware of the original William Bell release,<ref name="Something">[https://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/09/30/billy-idol-steve-cropper/ "When Billy Idol met Steve Cropper: 'A long-haired chap came up to me'."] ''Something Else!'' 30 September 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2022.</ref> and so retained the truncated title "To Be a Lover".  He more radically transformed the song, adding a more rockabilly feel and danceable beat to its soulful underpinnings.<ref name="Something"/>
+===Critical reception===
+''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "foot-twitching [[disco]]/rockabilly fusion."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|date=October 4, 1986|accessdate=2022-08-04|page=79|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yyQEAAAAMBAJ|title=Reviews}}</ref>  ''[[Cash Box]]'' said it's "full of...bad boy sexiness."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Cash Box|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-10-04.pdf|date=October 4, 1986|accessdate=2022-08-04|page=9}}</ref>
-The single was backed by ''[[Whiplash Smile]]'' album track "All Summer Single". Two different [[12″ single]]s were also released worldwide (one in the [[UK]] and one in [[Australia]]), featuring the aforementioned track and two extended remixes of "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" (6:45) and "Rock 'n' Roll Mix" (Australia and New Zealand only). The "Mother of Mercy Mix" differs quite significantly from the single version; it is a harder sounding song, with a prominent heavy guitar riff by [[Steve Stevens]] dominating most of the track and an interlude with distorted female groans. It is this version that is featured on the 1987 US and 1988 [[Japan]] editions of the remix compilation album ''[[Vital Idol]]''. The UK 12″ was also released as a limited-edition picture disc.<ref>{{Discogs release|1963691|To Be A Lover|type=single}}</ref>
-''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "foot-twitching [[disco]]/[[rockabilly]] fusion."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|date=October 4, 1986|accessdate=2022-08-04|page=79|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yyQEAAAAMBAJ|title=Reviews}}</ref>  ''[[Cash Box]]'' said it's "full of...bad boy sexiness."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|title=Single Releases|magazine=Cash Box|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1986/CB-1986-10-04.pdf|date=October 4, 1986|accessdate=2022-08-04|page=9}}</ref>
 ===Formats and track listings===
-====7″: Chrysalis - IDOL 8 (UK)====
+====7": Chrysalis – IDOL 8 (UK)====
-#"To Be a Lover" – 3:50
+# "To Be a Lover" – 3:50
-#"All Summer Single" – 4:33
+# "All Summer Single" – 4:33
-====12″: Chrysalis - IDOLX 8 (UK)====
+====12": Chrysalis – IDOLX 8 (UK)====
-#"To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
+# "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
-#"To Be a Lover" – 3:50
+# "To Be a Lover" – 3:50
-#"All Summer Single" – 4:33
+# "All Summer Single" – 4:33
 * Also available as a picture disc (IDOLP 8)
-====12″: Festival Records - X 14449 (Australia and New Zealand)====
+====12": Festival Records – X 14449 (Australia and New Zealand)====
-#"To Be a Lover (Rock 'n' Roll Mix)" – 7:11
+# "To Be a Lover (Rock 'n' Roll Mix)" – 7:11
-#"To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
+# "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
-#"All Summer Single" – 4:33
+# "All Summer Single" – 4:33
 ===Charts===
 ====Weekly charts====
 {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
-|+Weekly chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
+|+ Weekly chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
-!Chart (1986)
+! Chart (1986-1987)
-!Peak<br>position
+! Peak<br>position
 |-
-!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{Cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]]|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6 }}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{Cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]]|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6 }}</ref>
-|align="center"|3
+| align="center"| 3
 |-
-!scope="row"|Canadian ''RPM'' Top Singles<ref>Peaked on RPM 100 Singles Chart on 6 December 1986</ref>
+! scope="row"| Canadian ''RPM'' Top Singles<ref>Peaked on RPM 100 Singles Chart on 6 December 1986</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|7
+| style="text-align:center;"| 7
 |-
-!scope="row"|Italy (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e dischi]]|language=it|access-date=31 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Billy Idol".</ref>
+! scope="row"| Italy (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e dischi]]|language=it|access-date=31 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Billy Idol".</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|18
+| style="text-align:center;"| 18
 |-
-!scope="row"|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Billy+Idol&titel=To+Be+A+Lover&cat=s|title=charts.nz Billy Idol "To Be A Lover"|work=Hung Medien|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]]|format=ASP|accessdate=17 May 2017}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Billy+Idol&titel=To+Be+A+Lover&cat=s|title=charts.nz Billy Idol "To Be A Lover"|work=Hung Medien|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]]|format=ASP|accessdate=17 May 2017}}</ref>
-|align="center"|2
+| align="center"| 2
 |-
-!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="Charts">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-idol-mn0000070800/awards |title=Billy Idol &#124; Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=1955-11-30 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="Charts">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-idol-mn0000070800/awards |title=Billy Idol &#124; Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date=1955-11-30 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|6
+| style="text-align:center;"| 6
 |}
 ====Year-end charts====
 {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
-|+1987 year-end chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
+|+ 1986 year-end chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
-!Chart (1987)
+! Chart (1986)
-!Position
+! Position
 |-
-!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/sPdqqRt.jpg|title=Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987|publisher=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Music Report]]|via=[[Imgur]]|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref name="aus86">{{cite magazine|url=https://i.imgur.com/F7ais40.jpg|title=National Top 100 Singles for 1986|magazine=[[Kent Music Report]]|issue=650|date=December 1986|via=Imgur|access-date= January 24, 2023}}</ref>
-|align="center"|34
+| align="center"| 79
+|}
+{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
+|+ 1987 year-end chart performance for "To Be a Lover"
+! Chart (1987)
+! Position
 |-
-!scope="row"|[[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1987|US Top Pop Singles (''Billboard'')]]<ref>{{cite magazine |date=26 December 1987 |title=1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=99 |issue=52 }}</ref>
+! scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/sPdqqRt.jpg|title=Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987|publisher=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Music Report]]|via=[[Imgur]]|access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>
-| style="text-align:center;"|64
+| align="center"| 34
+|-
+! scope="row"| [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1987|US Top Pop Singles (''Billboard'')]]<ref>{{cite magazine |date=26 December 1987 |title=1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=99 |issue=52 }}</ref>
+| style="text-align:center;"| 64
 |}
+===Certifications===
+{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "To Be a Lover"}}
+{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Billy Idol|title=To Be a Lover|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|access-date=9 August 2023}}
+{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
 ==Bruce Springsteen version==
-[[Bruce Springsteen]] recorded the song for his 2022 album, ''[[Only the Strong Survive (Bruce Springsteen album)|Only the Strong Survive]]''.
+[[Bruce Springsteen]] recorded the song for his twenty-first studio album, ''[[Only the Strong Survive (Bruce Springsteen album)|Only the Strong Survive]]'' (2022).
 ==Notes==
-{{notelist}}
+{{Notelist}}
 ==References==
@@ Line 139: / Line 155: @@
 {{Billy Idol}}
+{{Bruce Springsteen songs}}
 {{Authority control}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:To Be A Lover}}
 [[Category:1968 songs]]
 [[Category:1968 singles]]
@@ Line 146: / Line 165: @@
 [[Category:1986 singles]]
 [[Category:Billy Idol songs]]
+[[Category:Bruce Springsteen songs]]
 [[Category:Chrysalis Records singles]]
 [[Category:Songs written by Booker T. Jones]]

v t e Billy Idol
Steve Stevens Billy Morrison Stephen McGrath Paul Trudeau Erik Eldenius
Studio albums	Billy Idol Rebel Yell Whiplash Smile Charmed Life Cyberpunk Devil's Playground Happy Holidays Kings & Queens of the Underground
EPs	Don't Stop The Roadside
Live albums	VH1 Storytellers
Compilations	Vital Idol Idol Songs: 11 of the Best Greatest Hits The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
Video albums	The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
Singles	"Dancing with Myself" "Mony Mony" "Hot in the City" "White Wedding" "Rebel Yell" "Eyes Without a Face" "Flesh for Fantasy" "Catch My Fall" "To Be a Lover" "Don't Need a Gun" "Sweet Sixteen" "Soul Standing By" "Mony Mony (Live)" "Cradle of Love" "L.A. Woman" "Prodigal Blues" "Heroin" "Shock to the System" "Adam in Chains" "Speed" "Don't You (Forget About Me)" "Scream" "Can't Break Me Down"
Related articles	Discography Generation X