The Story Behind Billy Idol's "White Wedding": A Rebellious Anthem For The Outcasts

Billy Idol's White Wedding is a song with a multitude of meanings. On the surface, it is about a wedding, but the song is actually a cynical and creatively bold take on the changing moral norms of the 1980s. The term white wedding traditionally refers to the bride being a virgin, but in the context of the song, it could be interpreted in several ways, including as a connection to times of greater chivalry or as a critique of outdated, puritanical values. The song combines imagery of debauchery, irony, and the contrasting metaphors of death and sex, creating a gothic analogy for the loss of innocence. The song's upbeat synths and drum patterns blend pop, rock, and goth elements, appealing to a diverse range of listeners. White Wedding serves as a metaphor for the conflicting moral norms of the era and marks a turning point in life, capturing the change and flux of that time.

The song's anti-marriage message

"White Wedding" by Billy Idol is a song with a seemingly unholy mash-up of contrasting themes, including latex suits, Christian iconography, gravedigging, marriage, churches, and medical equipment. The song's cynical and creatively bold take on the changing moral norms of the 1980s has led to varying interpretations of its message.

One interpretation is that the song is a critique of the idea of "white weddings" as a symbol of purity and virginity. The song's lyrics and imagery, including references to "shotgun weddings" and the loss of innocence, can be seen as a satirical take on the conflicting moral norms of the era. The song's upbeat synths and drum patterns, combined with its dark lyrics, create an ambiguous genre that appeals to a wide range of audiences.

Another interpretation is that the song is about someone he loved marrying someone else. In this context, the ""little sister" in the song refers to a girlfriend or a loved one, not his actual sister. Idol himself stated that his sister's wedding gave him the idea for the song, and he started with the title "White Wedding" and built the song from there.

The song's music video, directed by David Mallet, further adds to its anti-marriage message. The video depicts a "nightmare wedding," with a Goth guy (Idol) marrying a normal girl, including vampire imagery and indelible images such as a barbed-wire wedding ring and a motorcycle crashing through a church window. Despite its anti-marriage message, the song has been played at many weddings simply because it mentions a wedding.

In conclusion, "White Wedding" by Billy Idol is a creatively bold and cynical take on the changing moral norms of the 1980s, with a particular focus on the conflicting ideas surrounding marriage and the loss of innocence. The song's ambiguous genre and satirical tone have made it appealing to audiences with varying interpretations.

The video's imagery

The video for "White Wedding" is a nightmare wedding", with a Goth groom (Idol) marrying a non-Goth bride, and some vampire imagery. Perri Lister, who was Billy Idol's girlfriend at the time, played the bride. The video contains some of the most memorable images ever shown on MTV, including a barbed-wire wedding ring, a motorcycle crashing through a church window, and dancers slapping their own buttocks in time with the music.

The video combines the debauchery of rock and roll with the irony of the implication that it may not be a white wedding after all – and that Billy Idol knows this. The incongruous imagery combines metaphors of death and sex alongside crosses and churches. Coffins and graveyard imagery are a poetic goth analogy for the death of or loss of innocence. The lyric shotgun refers to the practice of shotgun marriages, which involved pregnancy and were done relatively hastily.

The video's director, David Mallet, who had worked with Queen and David Bowie, described Idol as "the greatest looker and mover since Elvis".

The song's place in the changing moral norms of the 80s

The 1980s was a time of changing social norms and values. Power, money, and social image were important factors in the American lifestyle, and people were judged more and more by their appearance. Abstinence was not commonly practised, and people were promiscuous, which contributed to the spread of the AIDS epidemic.

Women were getting better educations, and more women were joining the workforce, the military, and earning college degrees. However, despite women becoming more independent, they were still treated as sexual objects by men. Divorce and single-mother rates spiked during this time.

Racism was still a significant issue in the 1980s, and civil rights laws were passed to help end the ongoing persecution of people of colour. Many speeches were held to discuss the issue, and civil rights allowed people of colour better access to lawyers for court.

The 1980s was also a time of musical innovation, with the rise of new genres such as goth, new wave, and early punk. Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a reflection of the changing moral norms of this era. The term ""white wedding" traditionally refers to the bride being a virgin, and the song explores the tension between conservative practices and the emerging rock and roll culture. The song's upbeat synths and drum patterns, combined with dark lyrics, create a genre-bending appeal.

The song's lyrics and music video combine imagery of debauchery, irony, and the taboo, reflecting the conflicting moral norms of the time. The video combines Christian iconography, latex suits, medical equipment, and graveyard imagery, creating a surreal and jarring collection of cultural references. "White Wedding" captures the changing social landscape of the 1980s, marking a turning point in both personal and societal norms.

The song's appeal to multiple genres

"White Wedding" by Billy Idol appeals to multiple genres due to its genre ambiguity. The song combines elements of pop, rock, and the darker side of goth. The upbeat synths and drum patterns in the song contribute to its appeal across different musical tastes. The song's lyrics, which explore conflicting emotions and unusual states, also add to its unique sound.

The music video for "White Wedding" further showcases the song's appeal to multiple genres. The video features Idol attending a goth wedding, with the singer donning latex suits and incorporating Christian iconography, gravedigging, marriage, churches, and medical equipment. The combination of debauchery, irony, and incongruous imagery in the video adds to its appeal to a diverse audience.

The song's exploration of changing moral norms during the 1980s also contributes to its genre ambiguity. The term "white wedding" itself refers to the bride wearing a white dress, signifying purity or virginity. However, the song's lyrics and visuals suggest a layer of rock and roll hedonism underneath the conservative practices of the era. The video's combination of metaphors of death and sex alongside crosses and churches creates a surreal and jarring atmosphere.

Overall, "White Wedding" by Billy Idol transcends traditional genre boundaries, attracting fans from the realms of pop, rock, and goth. Its combination of musical elements, thought-provoking lyrics, and visually striking music video have contributed to its enduring appeal across different audiences.

The song's inspiration

The inspiration for Billy Idol's "White Wedding" came from a few different sources and experiences. Firstly, his sister, Jane, was getting married after becoming pregnant by her boyfriend. This event gave Idol the initial idea for the song. In an interview, he explained that he imagined what would have happened if his sister's situation had occurred 30 years earlier, which would have caused a huge outcry and scandal.

Idol also shared that he was going through a period of significant change and upheaval in his life. He had recently moved from the UK to New York City, leaving his band, Generation X, behind. This move was considered a gamble and was met with criticism from those who believed he was "selling out". Idol's new life in America was not easy, as he faced challenges in the music industry due to his punk image and sound.

The song "White Wedding" is a creative and cynical take on the changing moral norms of the 1980s. The term "white wedding" traditionally refers to the bride's virginity, and Idol explores the conflicting moral opinions of the time through his lyrics and the accompanying music video. The video combines Christian iconography, marriage, and graveyard imagery, creating a surreal and ambiguous narrative that captures the flux and ambiguity of the era.

In the song, Idol sings about a "little sister", which is slang for a girlfriend or a loved one. He expresses his feelings about this woman marrying someone else, which is where the anti-marriage sentiment in the song comes from. The song's upbeat synths and drum patterns blend with its dark lyrics, creating a unique sound that appeals to a diverse audience.

Overall, "White Wedding" is a product of Billy Idol's personal experiences, societal changes, and artistic expression. It captures the turbulence of the time and his own life, serving as a turning point in his musical career.

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