"Flesh for Fantasy" by Billy Idol

Song#:  2029
Date:  08/25/1984
Debut:  64
Peak:  29
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Idol got his first Top 10 Pop hit when the ballad "Eyes Without a Face" made it to #4. It was the second single from his Rebel Yell album. For its follow-up this track was selected for release. It was another success at Rock getting to #8, but the more rock-leaning tune couldn't do as well at Pop and it barely made it inside the Top 30. Still, Rebel Yell would end up being Idol's best-selling album going double platinum.

ReduxReview:  This mid-tempo rock tune was a good selection to follow up "Eyes," which was an unusual ballad entry from Idol. The highlight here is the chorus, which Idol rocks out with gusto. The verse is where the song's weak point is. It just seems to ramble a bit before it starts to rev up in the pre-chorus bridge. The ending is totally weird as it just kind of drifts off and seems unfinished. It's definitely one of Idol's better hits even if it really wasn't Top 10 material.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The video for this song was directed by Howard Deutch. Deutch was just beginning his directing career as music videos became popular and it helped get him established. In addition to the video for this song, he also directed the one for Billy Joel's "Keeping the Faith." Two years later, Deutch would direct his first feature film, the John Hughes comedy Pretty in Pink. The following year he headed up another Hughes film, Some Kind of Wonderful. It was on that movie that Deutch met his future wife, actress Leah Thompson. Later in the mid-90's, Deutch would direct a few episodes of Thompson's hit TV show Caroline in the City.

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