Released 1993 Genre Electronica, chill-out Label Chrysalis Records | Format CD single Length 3:54 | |
Recorded 1992, Los Angeles, U.S. | ||
"Adam in Chains" is a single by Billy Idol, the third of which to be released to promote his 1993 album Cyberpunk. A radio edit of the track was also included on the single.
Contents
The album version of the song is divided in two sections: the first two minutes and fifty-four seconds are of a voice coaxing the listener through a hypnotic exercise, encouraging them towards a state of relaxation. The remainder of the song consists of Idol singing in a melodious, slow tempo.
Formats and track listings
- "Adam in Chains" (edit)
- "Adam in Chains" (album version)
- "Adam in Chains" (edit)
- "Adam in Chains" (album version)
- "Venus"
- "Heroin" (Needle Park Mix)
Music video
A music video for "Adam in Chains" was directed by Julien Temple. It depicted Billy Idol bound in a chair with a chip inserted into his neck as he is monitored by scientists. He struggles before being hypnotized, and is then inserted into a virtual reality simulator. There he is treated to an ethereal water fantasy. Idol eventually rejects the fantasy, which is consumed in flames as, in the real world, his body violently convulses. The scientists end the experiment and Idol is brought back into reality, only to fall unconscious. There was also a shorter version of the video featuring an edited intro and female backing vocals, using different shots than the full-length video.
Chart performance
The track failed to chart in the US or UK which was unusual for Idol at the time, however it did chart in France at No. 5 and Poland at No. 35.