To Be a Lover

"To Be a Lover" is a song written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones as "I Forgot to Be Your Lover".

"I Forgot to Be Your Lover"
Single by William Bell
B-side	"Bring the Curtain Down"
Released	November 1968
Recorded	1968
Genre	Southern soul
Length	2:19
Label	Stax
Songwriter(s)	William Bell Booker Jones
Producer(s)	Booker T. Jones
William Bell singles chronology
"Private Number" (1968) "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" (1968) "My Baby Specializes" (1968)

Billy Idol version

"To Be a Lover"
Single by Billy Idol
from the album Whiplash Smile
B-side	"All Summer Single"
Released	22 September 1986 (1986-09-22)
Recorded	1986
Genre	New wave
Length	3:52
Label	Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)	William Bell Booker T. Jones
Producer(s)	Keith Forsey
Billy Idol singles chronology
"Catch My Fall" (1984) "To Be a Lover" (1986) "Don't Need a Gun" (1986)
Music video
"To Be a Lover" on YouTube

In 1986, singer Billy Idol reworked the track for his third studio album Whiplash Smile. It went to number 6 in the United States, number 2 in New Zealand, number 3 in Australia, number 7 in Canada and number 18 in Italy. It was covered by Bruce Springsteen in 2022 for his 21st studio album Only the Strong Survive.

Formats and track listings

7″: Chrysalis - IDOL 8 (UK)

1. "To Be a Lover" – 3:50
2. "All Summer Single" – 4:33

12″: Chrysalis - IDOLX 8 (UK)

1. "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
2. "To Be a Lover" – 3:50
3. "All Summer Single" – 4:33

• Also available as a picture disc (IDOLP 8)

12″: Festival Records - X 14449 (Australia and New Zealand)

1. "To Be a Lover (Rock 'n' Roll Mix)" – 7:11
2. "To Be a Lover (Mother of Mercy Mix)" – 6:45
3. "All Summer Single" – 4:33