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Billy Idol's White Wedding is a song about unrequited love that turns into a wedding from hell. The song, written about Idol's girlfriend who wanted to marry someone else, also addresses his rockstar life and leaving his former life behind. The song, which has nothing to do with Idol's actual sister, includes the slang term sister, which is used in England to refer to a girlfriend or bae. The song has been covered by several artists, including Murderdolls and Queens of the Stone Age, and has been featured in films and TV series such as The Wedding Singer and My Name Is Earl.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Billy Idol |
| Genre | Post-punk, New Wave, Pop |
| Lyrics | Incestuous undertones, references to Elvis's "Little Sister" |
| Meaning | Unrequited love, girlfriend marrying someone else, sister getting married and pregnant |
| Tone | Accusatory |
| Cultural References | Taboo nature of pregnancy out of wedlock, shotgun weddings |
| Chart Performance | No. 10 on Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100, No. 36 on Billboard Hot 100, No. 6 in UK Singles Chart |
| Covers | Murderdolls, Queens of the Stone Age, Doro Pesch |
| Media Appearances | The Wedding Singer, My Name Is Earl, Blackpool, NRL Grand Final, Demons, The Colbert Report |
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What You'll Learn
Incestuous undertones
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" has often been interpreted as having incestuous undertones. The song's lyrics, which include the line "Hey little sister, who is it you're with," have been seen as suggestive of a taboo relationship between a brother and sister. This interpretation is further fueled by the song's theme of a shotgun wedding, suggesting a rushed marriage due to unplanned pregnancy, which could be interpreted as a result of an incestuous relationship.
However, it is important to note that Idol himself has denied that the song is solely about his sister. In 2002, Idol clarified that while his sister's pregnancy and impending marriage may have been a source of inspiration, the song is not entirely about her. In England, the term "sister" is slang for "girlfriend," similar to the term "bae," providing a different context for the lyrics.
The incestuous interpretation of "White Wedding" has sparked discussions about the appeal of taboo subjects in art and entertainment. Some have suggested that the song's popularity, even among those who typically do not listen to post-punk or new wave genres, is partly due to the allure of forbidden themes.
Furthermore, the song's lyrics and themes can be analyzed in the context of Idol's life at the time of writing. "White Wedding" can be seen as a reflection of Idol's rock star life and the changes he was experiencing, leaving behind his former life and embracing a new one. The song's sarcastic tone, particularly regarding the notion of a ""white wedding" representing the bride's virginity, can be interpreted as a commentary on the contrast between societal expectations and the reality of human experiences, including relationships, which may not always fit neatly into conventional norms.
Overall, while the incestuous undertones in "White Wedding" have sparked conversations and interpretations, the song's true meaning likely lies in a complex blend of personal experiences, societal observations, and artistic expression.
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Unrequited love
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a song about unrequited love. At the time of writing, Idol's sister was getting married and pregnant, which inspired the song, but it wasn't solely about her. In the song, Idol refers to his girlfriend, who wants to marry someone else. The term "sister" is used as slang for "girlfriend" or "bae" in England. The song also addresses Idol's rock star life and the process of leaving his former life behind.
The song's lyrics and tone convey a sense of anger and sarcasm, as Idol sings about his girlfriend, who is far from innocent and has dumped him. The title "White Wedding" is ironic, as traditionally, a white wedding signifies that the bride is a virgin, which is clearly not the case in the song.
The song's music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, is well-known. Perri Lister, Idol's then-girlfriend, played the bride and was one of the dancers clad in black leather. The song has been featured in various media, including the 1998 film "The Wedding Singer," TV series such as "My Name Is Earl" and "Blackpool," and Idol's performance at the 2002 NRL Grand Final in Sydney, Australia.
"White Wedding" is considered one of Idol's most recognisable hits, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 and No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's unique guitar riff, created by Idol's longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, and its accusatory tone have made it stand out.
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A girlfriend wanting to marry someone else
"White Wedding" is a song by Billy Idol that was released in 1982 as the second single from his self-titled studio album. Although it was not Idol's highest-charting hit, it is considered one of his most recognisable songs. The song is about unrequited love and addresses Idol's rock star life and leaving part of his former life behind.
At the time of writing, Idol's sister was getting married and pregnant, which inspired the song. However, the song is not entirely about her. In England, "sister" is slang for "girlfriend", similar to "bae". Idol himself confirmed this in 2002, stating that while his sister's wedding and pregnancy inspired the song, it also drew on other circumstances and situations from his life.
The song's lyrics refer to a shotgun wedding, suggesting that the female subject is pregnant and wants to marry her boyfriend. Idol sarcastically refers to the wedding as a white wedding, as the term typically refers to a wedding where the bride is a virgin, which is far from the case in the song. Idol's girlfriend wanted to marry someone else, and the song expresses his anger and hurt after being dumped.
The song has been interpreted as having incestuous undertones, with some listeners assuming the lyrics are about a brother's desire to marry his sister. However, Idol has clarified that the song is not about his sister but rather about a girlfriend wanting to marry someone else. The song's music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, is also well-known. Perri Lister, Idol's real-life girlfriend at the time, played the bride and was one of the dancers clad in black leather in the video.
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A rock star life
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a song about unrequited love and a wedding from hell. At the time of writing, Idol's sister was getting married and pregnant, which inspired the song, but it wasn't solely about her. In England, "sister" is slang for "bae" or "girlfriend". The song also addresses Idol's rock star life and leaving his former life behind.
The female subject of the song, Idol's girlfriend, wants to marry someone else, and the song alludes to her shotgun wedding and the possibility of her being pregnant. Generally, a white wedding implies that the bride is a virgin, but in this case, Idol is being sarcastic as his girlfriend is far from innocent, and he's angry about being dumped.
The song, released in 1982, is considered one of Idol's most recognisable, and the music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, is also well-known. The song has been covered by several artists, including Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's side project Murderdolls, and American rock band Queens of the Stone Age. It has also been featured in films and TV series, such as The Wedding Singer and My Name Is Earl.
"White Wedding" is an example of Idol's transition from his punk band Generation X to his solo career, showcasing his unique style and leaving an impact on the music industry. The song's catchy guitar riff, created by Steve Stevens, and its taboo subject matter contributed to its popularity and lasting impact on rock music.
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Leaving his former life behind
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a song about unrequited love and leaving his former life behind. At the time of writing, Idol's sister was getting married and pregnant, which inspired the song, but it wasn't solely about her. In the song, Idol is singing about his girlfriend who wants to marry someone else. The term "sister" is used as slang in England for "bae" or "girlfriend".
The song addresses Idol's rock star life and the idea of leaving his past behind. He reflects on the taboo nature of certain situations and the contrast between the celebration of a wedding and the potential consequences, such as a shotgun wedding. The song's title, "White Wedding," also carries a layer of sarcasm, as traditionally, a white wedding implies the bride is a virgin, but in this case, Idol's girlfriend is far from innocent, adding a layer of anger and resentment to the narrative.
The song's music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, further enhances its popularity. The video includes Perri Lister, Idol's real-life girlfriend at the time, dressed in black leather, creating a striking visual.
"White Wedding" is considered one of Billy Idol's most recognisable hits, showcasing his unique style and lyrical depth. It has endured as a popular song, even among those who don't typically listen to post-punk or new wave genres. The song's appeal can be attributed to its taboo undertones and the raw emotions it conveys, providing a glimpse into Idol's personal experiences and his journey of moving on from his former life.
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Frequently asked questions
"White Wedding" was written and sung by Billy Idol.
Billy Idol wrote "White Wedding" about unrequited love that turns into a wedding from hell. The song addresses his rock star life and leaving part of his former life behind.
Generally, a white wedding is one in which the bride is still a virgin. In this case, Idol is being sarcastic since his girlfriend was far from innocent, and he's still angry after being dumped.
"White Wedding" was released in 1982.
