Billy Idol is the full-length solo debut by Billy Idol (following his solo EP Don't Stop in 1981). Preceded in June 1982 by the hit-single "Hot in the City", the album was released in July 1982. After the next single from the album, "White Wedding", entered the Top 40 a year later, Billy Idol was reissued with the addition of the earlier single "Dancing with Myself". "Hot in the City" was a bigger hit when re-released in the UK in 1988, peaking at #13 on the UK singles chart.

The song "White Wedding" (Part 1) is so named due to the less-heard "White Wedding (Part 2)", (which is a more synthesizer-based continuation of the first part) that can be heard on the 12-inch version of the "White Wedding" single.