"Bête Noire" is the seventh solo studio album by English singer Bryan Ferry, released on November 2, 1987, by Virgin Records in the UK and Reprise Records in the US. It achieved commercial and critical success, reaching No. 9 in the UK and receiving a Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry.
The album's first single, "The Right Stuff," a collaboration with Johnny Marr adapted from the Smiths' instrumental B-side "Money Changes Everything," peaked at No. 37 in the UK. The second single, "Kiss and Tell," narrowly missed the UK top 40, reaching No. 41, but charted in the US top 40, becoming Ferry's only solo single to do so. It also appeared in the film Bright Lights, Big City (1988). The third single, "Limbo," peaked at No. 86 in the UK. The promotional video for "Kiss and Tell" featured models Denice D. Lewis, Christine Keeler, and Mandy Smith.
After the success of his previous album, Boys and Girls (1985), Ferry continued in the sophisti-pop style and collaborated with Patrick Leonard, known for his work with Madonna, who co-wrote five tracks on the album. Guest musicians included Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, and former Roxy Music members Neil Hubbard and Andy Newmark.
There was speculation that "Kiss and Tell" responded to Jerry Hall's tell-all book about their relationship. Before the album's release, Ferry was involved in a lawsuit with E.G. Records regarding his contract, which resulted in the album being marketed in Canada and the US after E.G. won the case.
In the US, the album debuted on the Billboard chart on November 21, 1987, spending 31 weeks and peaking at No. 63. Ferry toured Australia, Japan, the US, Canada, and Europe to promote the album, with notable collaborations during performances, including The Edge from U2 and Johnny Marr. Several live recordings from his Glasgow show were later included on Bryan Ferry CD singles released between 1993 and 1995.
