Billy Don't Be a Hero Billy Don't Be a Hero "Billy Don't Be a Hero" is a 1974 pop song that was first a UK hit for Paper Lace and then, some months later, a US hit for Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. The song was written and composed by two British songwriters, Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. Because the song was released in 1974, it was associated by some listeners with the Vietnam War, though the war to which it actually refers is never identified in the lyrics. It has been suggested that the drum pattern, references to a marching band leading soldiers in
To Be a Lover the track and an 'interlude' with distorted female groans. It is this version that is featured on the remix compilation album "Vital Idol" 1987 US/1988 Japan editions. The UK 12" was also released as a limited-edition picture disc. To Be a Lover "To Be a Lover" is a song by Billy Idol from his 1986 album "Whiplash Smile". As the album's lead single, it became Idol's second top 10 hit in the US, peaking at No. 6 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was co-written (with Booker T. Jones) and originally