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
from "
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 ""My Baby Specializes" (1968)

Billy Idol version

"To Be a Lover"
Single by Billy Idol
from 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 ""Don't Need a Gun" (1986)
"To Be a Lover" at 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.

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