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White Wedding is a song by Billy Idol, released in 1982 as the second single from his self-titled album. The song is often assumed to be about his sister, but Idol has clarified that it was inspired by a mix of his girlfriend leaving him for someone else and his rock star life. The term sister is slang in England for bae or girlfriend. The song has also been interpreted as being about drugs, with the white wedding referring to cocaine. The song has been covered and referenced by numerous artists and has been featured in several films and TV series.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Billy Idol |
| Genre | Punk rock |
| Release date | 1982 |
| Album | Billy Idol |
| Peaked at | No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart, No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 |
| Theme | Unrequited love, irony, drugs, addiction |
| Inspiration | His sister's wedding, his girlfriend dumping him |
| Cultural references | "Sister" is slang for "bae" or "girlfriend" in England, "shotgun" refers to inhaling smoke and then exhaling it into another person's mouth |
| Covers | Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's side project Murderdolls, Queens of the Stone Age, Doro Pesch |
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What You'll Learn
The song's sarcastic title and meaning
The title "White Wedding" is a sarcastic reference to the singer's girlfriend, who is far from virginal, having just dumped him and moved on to someone else. The song's meaning revolves around unrequited love and the irony of his girlfriend having a "white wedding" when she is not innocent. The term "white wedding" typically refers to a bride who is still a virgin. In this case, the singer uses sarcasm to express his anger and frustration towards his girlfriend's true character and their relationship ending.
The song also addresses the singer's rock star life and the challenges of leaving his former life behind. At the time of writing, his sister was getting married and pregnant, which inspired parts of the song, although it is not solely about her. The term "sister" is used as slang in England for "girlfriend" or "bae," adding another layer of sarcasm and irony to the song's narrative.
The song's lyrics, such as "it's a nice day to start again," can be interpreted in multiple ways. Some listeners suggest that these lyrics allude to drug use and the idea of relapsing. The phrase "white wedding" could be interpreted as a reference to cocaine, a common "white" drug. The song's accelerated beat and racing tone could also support this interpretation.
However, others disagree with the drug interpretation, emphasizing that the song is about a man dealing with unrequited love and the irony of his girlfriend's "white wedding." The term "shotgun" in the song could hint at the possibility of the girlfriend being pregnant, which may have influenced her decision to marry someone else.
The sarcastic title and meaning of "White Wedding" showcase the singer's emotions and experiences, creating a narrative that resonates with listeners, even if they interpret the song's message differently.
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The song's music video
The music video is known for its dark and edgy style, reflecting the song's sarcastic and rebellious tone. It captures the anger and frustration of unrequited love and the irony of the narrator's girlfriend having a "white wedding" despite her lack of innocence.
In the video, Lister is one of three dancers clad in black leather, shimmying downwards and slapping their buttocks in time with the clap track near the end of the song. This choreography adds a dynamic and memorable element to the visuals.
The song's appearance in various media, such as the 1998 film "The Wedding Singer" and TV series like "My Name Is Earl" and "Blackpool," has further contributed to its popularity and cultural impact. Additionally, covers and homages by other artists, including Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's side project Murderdolls and American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, have kept the song relevant and engaging for new generations.
Overall, the music video for "White Wedding" successfully captures the song's energy and attitude, blending gothic imagery with a powerful musical performance, making it one of Billy Idol's most recognisable and enduring hits.
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The song's place in pop culture
"White Wedding" by Billy Idol has become a staple in pop culture since its release in 1982. The song has been featured in several films and television series, often as a darkly ironic soundtrack to wedding scenes. One of its earliest pop culture appearances was in the 1985 Italian horror film "Demons". It was also featured in the 1998 film "The Wedding Singer", in which Idol himself made an appearance. The song was also included in the American TV series "My Name Is Earl" and the British series "Blackpool".
The song's music video, directed by David Mallet, is also notable for its goth aesthetic and nightmarish visuals. The video features Idol attending a goth wedding, with Perri Lister, Idol's real-life girlfriend at the time, playing the bride. The video, with its leather and chains, motorcycle crashing through a stained glass church window, and bloodied barbed wire ring, offers a stark contrast to the traditional image of a "white wedding".
"White Wedding" has also inspired numerous covers and musical collaborations. In 2003, the US horror punk band Murderdolls reached number 24 on the UK Singles Chart with their cover. Other notable covers include those by German heavy metal singer Doro Pesch on her 2000 album "Calling the Wild" and the American rock band Queens of the Stone Age in 2007. Idol was also set to collaborate with the American metal band In This Moment on the track "Black Wedding", which included a chorus with the line "it's a nice night for a black wedding," an obvious nod to "White Wedding".
The song's lyrics and title have sparked various interpretations, with some speculating that it references cocaine or other drugs. Idol himself has offered insights into the song's meaning, explaining that it was inspired by his sister's wedding and pregnancy, as well as his reflection on the taboo nature of such situations in the past. The song's themes of unrequited love, anger, and irony in the context of a wedding have clearly resonated with audiences, solidifying "White Wedding" as a lasting contribution to pop culture.
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The song's lyrical interpretation
The song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol has been the subject of varying interpretations over the years. One of the most popular interpretations is that the song is about drugs, specifically cocaine. This interpretation is based on the lyrics "It's a nice day to start again/It's a nice day for a white wedding/It's a nice day to start again," which some listeners interpret as a reference to quitting and then relapsing. The term "white wedding" in this context could refer to a "white" drug like cocaine, and the song's accelerated beat could be seen as representing a racing heart under the influence of stimulants. Additionally, the term "shotgun", which appears in the song, has been interpreted as referring to the act of inhaling smoke and then exhaling it into another person's mouth.
However, others dispute the drug interpretation, arguing that the song is actually about unrequited love and the irony of the singer's girlfriend having a "white wedding" when she is not a virgin and has moved on to someone else. In this interpretation, the "white wedding" refers sarcastically to the bride's supposed purity, while the singer is still angry after being dumped. The term "shotgun" could also hint at the possibility of the girlfriend being pregnant, which may have pressured her new partner into marriage.
Another layer of interpretation comes from the fact that Idol's sister was getting married and pregnant around the time the song was written. While Idol himself has stated that the song is not completely about his sister, the situation may have inspired parts of the song, particularly the taboo nature of the pregnancy and the idea of a shotgun wedding. The term "sister" can also be slang for "girlfriend" or "bae" in England, further blurring the lines between these interpretations.
The song's music video, directed by David Mallet, also contributes to the song's interpretation. The visuals are goth and nightmarish, featuring leather and chains, a motorcycle crashing through a stained glass church window, and a bloodied barbed wire ring. These elements contrast with the purity and whiteness typically associated with a traditional wedding, adding a dark and rebellious twist to the song's interpretation.
Overall, the song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol has sparked a range of interpretations, from drug references to unrequited love and the complexities of family dynamics.
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The song's influence from Idol's personal life
At the time Billy Idol wrote "White Wedding", his sister was getting married and was pregnant. This inspired the song, but it wasn’t entirely about her. In England, "sister" is slang for "girlfriend", similar to "bae". The song also addressed Idol's rock star life and leaving part of his former life behind.
Idol himself has said that the song is about the taboo nature of his sister's wedding and the convention of the wedding being such a celebration but then turning into something like a shotgun wedding. The song is also about unrequited love and a wedding from hell. In the song, Idol is singing about his girlfriend who wants to marry someone else.
There are also claims that the song is about cocaine. The line "It's a nice day to start again/It's a nice day for a white wedding/It's a nice day to start again" has been interpreted as a reference to quitting drugs and starting to use them again. The word "shotgun" has also been interpreted as a reference to inhaling smoke and then exhaling it into another person's mouth.
The song's title, "White Wedding", has also been interpreted as a reference to the singer's desire to get married to drugs, with "white" being a common colour for drugs like cocaine.
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Frequently asked questions
"White Wedding" is a song by Billy Idol that was released in 1982. The song is about a man who is angry about his girlfriend marrying someone else. The title "White Wedding" is sarcastic as, in the song, his girlfriend is far from innocent.
Generally, a white wedding refers to a wedding in which the bride is a virgin. In this case, it could also refer to cocaine, which is often referred to as a "white" drug.
Some speculate that the song is about incest, with "little sister" referring to the narrator's literal sister. However, Idol has clarified that the song is not about his own sister, and that "sister" is slang for "bae" or "girlfriend" in England.
"White Wedding" has been covered by several notable artists, including Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's side project Murderdolls, and the American rock band Queens of the Stone Age. It has also been referenced in popular culture, such as in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, and on the American TV series My Name Is Earl.
