Billy Don't Be a Hero blue, and "riding out" (cavalry) refer to the American Civil War. However the drum beat and cavalry "riding out" is not specific to the American Civil War, and blue uniforms were common in the 19th century. That being said, Paper Lace themselves performed the song on "Top of the Pops" wearing Union-style uniforms, as can be seen on YouTube. A young woman is distraught that her fiancé chooses to enlist with Army recruiters passing through the town, causing her to implore him: The song goes on to describe how Billy is killed in action in a pitched battle after volunteering
To Be a Lover 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 performed by William Bell as a soul ballad titled "I Forgot to Be Your Lover", released in late 1968 and hitting No. 45 on the Hot 100 and No. 10 on "Billboard"′s Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart