Don't Need a Gun

1987 single by Billy Idol

"Don't Need a Gun"

Single by Billy Idol

from the album Whiplash Smile

B-side

"Fatal Charm"

Released

23 February 1987 (UK)^[1]

Length

6:15 (album version)
4:28 (7-inch version)

Label

Chrysalis

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)

Music video

"Don't Need a Gun" on YouTube

"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.

Background and writing

"Don't Need a Gun" was written by Billy Idol. The song has a clear content about the risk of using firearms.

The chorus of the song includes references to "Tutti Frutti", "Flip, Flop and Fly" and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy". The final verse name-checks Elvis Presley, Johnnie Ray and Gene Vincent.

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Germany^[2]	36
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[3]	27
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[4]	29
UK Singles (OCC)^[5]	26
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	37
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[7]	10

References

^ Smith, Robin (21 February 1987). "Index". Record Mirror. p. 3. ISSN 0144-5804.
^ "spanishcharts.com - Billy Idol - Don't Need A Gun". Retrieved October 19, 2017.
^ "Billy Idol – Don't Need a Gun". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
^ "Billy Idol – Don't Need a Gun". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
^ "Billy Idol Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
^ "Billy Idol Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 19, 2017.