When Billy Squier puts out his first new single in 25 years, it’s worth a Saturday Night Special on Pencil Storm. “Harder Than a Woman” was recorded in New York City with help from guitarist G.E. Smith and former Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke, among others, and released on National Women’s Day in a show of solidarity (the overturning of Roe v. Wade was an inspiration for the track). Though it’s just a one off, Squier said he is open to more recording and possibly a live residency at some point. That would be very good news indeed. Anyway, check out the new tune and then revisit our ranking of his first 39 songs, which contain some of the finest hard-rock jams ever released.
Ranking the First 39 Billy Squier Songs
I know the number 39 seems a little random, but that number represents the total songs released on Billy Squier’s first four records. Once upon a time, I was a guy who would rank every single Cheap Trick song. However, I’ve gotten softer with age and lack the necessary mental toughness to thoroughly critique latter Squier records like Enough is Enough and Creatures of Habit. And no Ricki, I’m not ranking the Piper songs. You can do that if you want.
Why Billy Squier? Why now? Well, let’s just say quarantine living affects us all in different ways. I had a good time taking a deep dive into these four records that meant so much to me growing up. I hope it helps you take your mind of more serious subjects for a few moments too. The songs are followed in parentheses by the albums they’re on. Enough of my yappin’. Let’s Boogie!
In The Dark (Don’t Say No) - This was a surprisingly easy choice. It’s the best Billy Squier song. Poppy yet slightly threatening with a monster riff and a non-solo guitar solo. And the intro announces Billy’s best record with authority. Live version opening the set from the Don’t Say Know tour makes me want to throw chairs through windows and swing from chandeliers. Watch this! Solo version? Watch this!
Everybody Wants You (Emotions in Motions) - Okay, another single so I’m starting out chalk but this is the definition of a song you have to turn up when it comes on the radio. Great live opener, too. Do I spy some Freddie Mercury dance moves at the top? Watch this!
She’s a Runner (Emotions in Motion) - Probably the Squier song I’ve listened to the most and the inspiration for the Watershed song “How Do You Feel?” I think we actually played this once at Mac’s in East Lansing. It’s tough to sing. These are all tough to sing. Watch This!
You Should Be High Love (The Tale of the Tape) - Though it was a single, it feels like a dark horse slotted this high. It pains me to admit Desmond Child somehow got a co-write on this track. Billy wrote almost exclusively solo on all four of these records so I have a hard time imagining what Desmo added to the proceedings. Watch this! Billy’s first video. Who knew where it would lead?
Don’t Say No (Don’t Say No) - The last song and title track on Billy’s best record. You know you have a strong record when this gem is bringing up the rear. The fake fade out is the cherry on top. I cannot find a live version of this song.
Calley Oh (The Tale of the Tape) - Is this song famous or infamous for being Axl Rose’s favorite Squier tune? Fun to play on drums and sing along pretending I’m in key.
I Need You (Don’t Say No) - A sleeper no more. It’s a top ten entry. Like Troy Nelsen from the amazing Coolhand Band used to say, “When I feel low, my amps they blow.” This clip features Billy playing lead and it just occurred to me, his band rocks way harder than TP and The Heartbreakers or Wilco. Watch This!
Who’s Your Boyfriend (The Tale of the Tape) - This track was originally released on the debut album by Billy’s previous band Piper in 1977. Managed by Bill Aucoin of KISS fame, how did this band not have more success? Rave reviews, Billy Squier fronting the band and opening for KISS at the height of their fame and….crickets…. To make matters worse, Bill let Billy leave and sell millions as a solo artist while he continued to pour money into losers like Angel and Starz. In fact, what band did Bill manage, other than KISS, that had any success at all? I would vote zero (unless we count Billy Idol as a ½). He also passed on Van Halen after Gene Simmons personally paid for and produced their demo of “Running with the Devil” and asked Bill to manage them. He had Van Halen AND Billy Squier handed to him gift-wrapped and whiffed on both. Oof. That hurts. I guess he was too busy working with Spider and New England to be bothered. (I couldn’t find the review where Circus magazine called Piper’s debut record the greatest American debut OF ALL TIME but I found this.. )
Two Daze Gone (Don’t Say No) - Crank it up. The live version crushes too. Watch this!
Emotions in Motion (Emotions in Motion) - Did you know this title track was also the first single? A strange choice indeed. Actually, there really isn’t any track on Emotions in Motion that had a shot on top forty radio. Producer Reinhold Mack deserves MAJOR credit for the sound of this record and Don’t Say No. Both records still sound fresh today and were multi-platinum efforts despite their organic vibe which was definitely not fresh in the early 80’s. I’m sure Billy and his band played a big role as well. He always kept it simple with Telecasters, Les Pauls and Marshall amps. This must be the only time they played this video on MTV Watch this!
My Kind of Lover (Don’t Say No) - Sure, we are a little sick of it, but what a unique, almost Bo Diddley guitar riff. “Hey, why don’t we just synch-up live footage to the studio version. Nobody will notice. It will be a video and it will be great!” Watch this!
Eye on You (Signs of Life) - Okay, now it gets real. My first entry from Signs of Life, which was produced by my old pal Jim Steinman. Billy was looking to break from the sound of his first three records and went with a fairly bold game plan to achieve it. Looking back, it was the right move. This record may not have the high points of the previous, but it’s still excellent. A little dated but also a little alternative and ahead of its time. This track is the latter. I wonder why they never made a video for this one? It was a single and “Rock Me Tonight” was a huge hit.
Catch 22 (Emotions in Motion) - Drummer Bobby Chouinard (who came over from Piper with Billy) was a HUGE part of the Billy Squier sound. It’s amazing that most folks can identify him by sight but somehow he doesn’t even have his own Wiki page. The dude was the definition of playing behind the beat. Check out the groove on this one. RIP Bobby. This King Biscuit Flower Hour Bootleg has a great version. Done as a medley with I Need You. Heart Emoji.
The Big Beat (The Tale of the Tape) - Somehow, Billy owns the masters to his records so he gets paid whenever his drum sounds are sampled. And they have been sampled a zillion times. Seriously, “The Big Beat” is considered by some to be the MOST SAMPLED SONG OF ALL TIME. Did you know “99 Problems” by Jay-Z samples this song? And Eminem sampled “The Stroke”? I didn’t. THIS LIST OF TEN SQUIRE SAMPLES blew my mind. No wonder Billy only tours as a guest of Ringo Starr. He doesn’t need the cash. In related news, the video for “The Big Beat” has almost 700,000 views and I only know four people who have ever heard the song. Go figure. Watch this!
Lonely is the Night (Don’t Say No) - I don’t know who had the idea to open the song with the unrelated lick, but it was a masterstroke. Perhaps Paul Stanley had the same idea in mind when KISS recorded “Heaven’s on Fire”. Once again, drummer Bobby Chouinard carries the show. Laid back. In fact, I think he plays it better than this version with Ringo Starr on the skins. Watch this!
Can’t Get Next to You (Signs of Life) - The guy doing this list is an idiot. Probably had a mask over his ears while writing this mess. Someone should torch him on social media. twitter@colingawel.
Nobody Knows / In Your Eyes - These ballads are tied. Though the falsetto of “Nobody Knows” probably breaks it.
Who Knows What a Love Can Do (The Tale of the Tape) - Damn, I love this song. No footage.
Learn How to Live (Emotions in Motion) - A big FM radio hit, suffers a bit from over-exposure but still strong. The acoustic version is a nice twist. Watch this!
What Do You Want From Me (Don’t Say No) - One of those songs that works so well as the second song of the set. Maybe this story should have been titled: 39 songs Bobby Chouinard crushed on drums. Dude is a ROCK STAR. GREAT LOOK. SOLID DRUMMER. Watch this!
Take a Look Behind You (Signs of Life) - Watch this excellent interview from 2013 and why Billy isn’t on social media, playing solo and preserving Central Park? Great guy. Very smart guy.
Sweet Release (Signs of Life) - Maybe this song should be higher. Yes, it should be. Watch This! 9/11 Benefit Video
The Stroke (Don’t Say No) - Pretty incredible that a song as cool as “The Stroke” can be ranked this low. Nothing against the song, just shows you the strength of these four records. Actually, the song itself isn’t much of anything. However, the production is stunning. Since we have all heard it one million times we take it for granted, but listen with fresh ears and it’s a marvel. Even adding those little Fleetwood Mac Tusk horns at the end before that little guitar break is essential. The video showcases Billy’s emerging dancing talent that would eventually lead to…..
Rock Me Tonight (Signs of Life) - Okay, we all know the story here. The hit single/video that sabotaged Squier’s career. There are wars that have gotten written about less than this subject. Still, at the end of the day, it spawned the greatest bootleg video ever posted on the internet so that’s pretty awesome. Behold, the silent version of “Rock Me Tonight”. Unadulterated genius. Kneel before it’s greatness. YOU MUST WATCH THIS!
All Night Long (Signs of Life) - Is this song title officially retired? Personally, I like Joe Walsh’s version best but I still dig this. The weirdo opening combined with a faster “Lonely is the Night” riff works pretty well. Hard to believe this got released as a single after “Rock Me Tonight” but then again it was probably a “rally the base” move after all the controversy concerning the video for “Rock Me Tonight”. Trying to recapture Billy’s hardcore hetero metal-head following no doubt. Watch the Official Video Here!
Listen to the Heartbeat (Emotions in Motion) - Andy Warhol did the cover art for this record. Read this excellent interview from Billy talking about that, rap samples, screenplays and how he now is responsible for 20 acres in Central Park.
You Know What I Like (Don’t Say No) - Well that cleans out Don’t Say No. That doesn’t necessarily make it the best record, but it is. Click here to read the guitars and amps Billy likes. You know?
Reach For the Sky (Signs of Life) - My strongest memory of seeing Billy at Blossom Music Center as a kid is this song. When it got to the chorus, all the lights would slowly turn to the sky. I can still see it now. Pretty rad. Hats off the that lighting director. I also remember that I thought the opening act Ratt sucked. Couldn’t find a set-list from that night but here is one from the same tour. I have a hard time believing his final encore was “Another 1984”. What a buzz kill.
It Keeps You Rockin’ (Emotions in Motion) - This plays way better leading off side two of the record than just being jammed into the middle of a CD slowing progress towards “She’s a Runner”.
Music’s Alright / Rich Kids (The Tale of the Tape) - This is a tie. Billy seems to prefer “Rich Kids” though. Watch this! Who is doing this list anyway? He is wrongo.
Keeps Me Satisfied (Emotions in Motions) - Maybe it’s just because I had this cassette in my car for the last month but it sort of wore me out. I used to love it, though. This live “shirtless” version would be ranked #2. Watch this! At this point I should mention what a great band Billy played with during his heyday. These weren't just hired guns, this was a real band that played legit rock n roll. The sets were loose and tight at the same time. They did not play cookie-cutter versions of the recorded songs. They put their own stamp on everything. Since we have already mentioned Bobby, hats off to Jeff Golub (guitar), Alan St. Jon (keys), and Kenny Aaronson (bass). I mean, anytime you can snag a member of HSAS you know you are doing something right.
Hand Me Downs (Signs of Life) - A solid tune. Check out the official Billy Squier Fan Site. I cannot tell if it’s still active but it’s got some cool stuff.
Fall For Love (Sings of Life) - Production just a little to slinky for my taste
Love Me Like I’m Loving You (The Tale of the Tape) - This is a bad ranking. I’m not perfect. Get over yourself
Young Girls (The Tale of the Tape) - A couple of the songs on this record are so similar I have to circle back to make sure I’m not confusing them (see #34). Kind of phoning it in for the last song on a nine-song record but... since he wrote TWO outstanding records as a member of Piper before this we can cut him some slack.
Another 1984 (Signs of Life) - Doesn’t work here despite solo from Brian May. Still, this song would have been the best song on Kilroy Was Here by Styx. Or at least as good as Mr. Roboto. Watch this!
One Good Woman (Emotions in Motion) - Not really bad, just a small fish in a big pond. (Two slots were tied so that’s 39.)
Colin Gawel plays in the band Watershed and wrote this at Colin’s Coffee for Pencilstorm.