Billy Idol – Hot In The City
Billy Idol – Hot In The City (1982)
Directed by: Kort Falkenberg III
Billy Idol’s “Hot in the City,” released in July 1982, is a vibrant new wave track that served as the lead single from his self-titled debut album. The song achieved notable chart success, reaching number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 58 on the UK Singles Chart. The original 1982 music video, directed by Kort Falkenberg III, begins with a girl entering a record store and picking up a Billy Idol record, which cues the song to start playing. The video features scenes from New York City, interspersed with stock footage of nuclear bomb tests, creating a striking visual contrast. In 1987, a remix of “Hot in the City” was released, accompanied by a new music video that depicted Idol’s girlfriend, Perri Lister, bound to a cross—a portrayal that led to the video’s ban on MTV. The song’s energetic rhythm and catchy melody encapsulate the essence of urban excitement, making it a standout track in Billy Idol’s early career.
