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Billy Idol's White Wedding is an upbeat, high-energy song with a tempo of 147 BPM. The track, released in 1982, is from the album Billy Idol and has a duration of 4 minutes and 12 seconds. It is in the key of A Major and has a time signature of 4 beats per bar. With its danceable rhythm and energetic tempo, White Wedding has gained popularity and is often heard in clubs. The song's positive and cheerful vibe makes it a favourite among listeners, and it continues to be a well-known track by Billy Idol.
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What You'll Learn
Billy Idol's 'White Wedding'
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a classic, upbeat song with a distinctive tempo and an intriguing backstory. The song was released in October 1982 as the second single from Idol's repertoire, and it quickly became one of his signature tunes.
The tempo of "White Wedding" is notably fast, with a BPM (beats per minute) of 147 or 148, depending on the source. This pace contributes to the song's high energy and danceability, making it a favorite on the dance floor. Interestingly, the song can also be played at half-time (74 BPM) or double-time (around 294-296 BPM), showcasing its versatility and adaptability to different interpretations, as Idol himself has noted.
The inspiration for "White Wedding" came from a personal place for Billy Idol. The song was written in just 20 minutes, sparked by thoughts about his sister's recent marriage. In his memoir, "Dancing With Myself", Idol reveals that his sister's experience of going to the altar pregnant made him reflect on the concept of a shotgun wedding. He imagines an alternative reality where he is avenging this violation of his sister, creating an uneasy yet captivating narrative.
The production of "White Wedding" also adds to its appeal. Idol and his band worked swiftly, even performing the song live the same night they created it. They added a second synthesized version to the rock version, infusing it with electro-rock rhythms and a dark, sparse vibe. This pliable nature of the song, as Idol calls it, allows for multiple interpretations and instrumental possibilities, contributing to its enduring popularity.
"White Wedding" has left an indelible mark on pop culture, showcasing Billy Idol's unique style and creative process. The song's tempo, lyrics, and production come together to form a classic that continues to resonate with audiences, both on the dance floor and in their imaginations.
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BPM and tempo
The tempo of a song refers to its speed or pace. This is measured in BPM, or beats per minute. A higher BPM indicates a faster tempo, while a lower BPM indicates a slower tempo. The BPM of a song can be used to inform the listener about the energy and danceability of the track.
Billy Idol's "White Wedding – Part 1" has a tempo of 147 BPM or 148 BPM, depending on the source. This is considered a very fast tempo, and the song is described as "upbeat" and "high energy". With a time signature of 4 beats per bar, the song can also be played at half-time (74 BPM) or double-time (294 BPM).
Another song titled "White Wedding" is performed by Queens of the Stone Age. This song has a tempo of 123 BPM and can also be played at half-time (62 BPM) or double-time (246 BPM). While this song is in the same key and mode as Billy Idol's "White Wedding – Part 1", it is shorter in duration, at only 3 minutes and 51 seconds long.
Both songs are considered to have high energy, but Billy Idol's version is described as more danceable, with a rating of 66% compared to Queens of the Stone Age's 45%. This difference in danceability may be due to the faster tempo and higher energy of Billy Idol's song.
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Popularity
"White Wedding" is a popular song by Billy Idol that was released as the second single from his self-titled studio album in 1982. Although it was not Idol's highest-charting hit, it is often considered one of his most recognisable songs. The song peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart on 27 November 1982 and reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 on 2 July 1983 after it was re-issued. In the UK, it reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart upon its re-release on 1 July 1985. Cash Box described the song as "a powerful entry" with an "ominous guitar intro" and an "accusatory tone".
The popularity of "White Wedding" is evident in its enduring appeal and cultural impact. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's side project, Murderdolls, whose cover reached No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart in 2003. Other notable covers include the American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, who released their version in 2007, and German heavy metal singer Doro Pesch, who featured the song on her 2000 album, *Calling the Wild*.
"White Wedding" has also been featured in various films and television shows, including the 1998 film *The Wedding Singer* (in which Idol himself appears), the American TV series *My Name Is Earl*, and the British TV series *Blackpool*. The song was also used in the 1985 Italian horror film *Demons* and has been included in video games such as *Guitar Hero* and *Rock Band*.
Additionally, "White Wedding" has been used in advertising campaigns, such as a 2006 commercial for Target and a series of commercials for Applebee's. The song's lyrics convey a powerful message about the power of love, and its popularity has endured for decades. It has become an anthem for young people around the world and is often featured in weddings and other celebrations, further solidifying its place as one of the most popular and recognisable songs of all time.
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Cover versions
"White Wedding" is a song by Billy Idol, released in 1982 as the second single from his self-titled studio album. It is considered one of his most recognisable songs. The song has an upbeat tempo of 147 BPM and an exuberant, high-energy feel.
The song has been covered by several artists over the years, including:
- German heavy metal singer Doro Pesch, who included a cover of "White Wedding" on her 2000 album "Calling the Wild".
- Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's side project, the US horror punk band Murderdolls, reached number 24 on the UK Singles Chart in 2003 with their cover of the song.
- The American rock band Queens of the Stone Age released a cover of "White Wedding" in 2007. Their version has a tempo of 123 BPM, a slightly slower pace than the original, but still maintains a high-energy feel.
In addition to these recorded covers, Billy Idol himself has also performed the song live on several notable occasions, including at the 2002 NRL Grand Final in Sydney, Australia, and in the 1998 film "The Wedding Singer", in which he also appeared as an actor.
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TV and film appearances
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" has been featured in several TV shows and films over the years. The song's first appearance was in the 1985 Italian horror film Demons. It was then featured in the 1993 romantic crime drama True Romance and the 1998 film The Wedding Singer, in which Idol also made a cameo appearance. The song was also used in the American TV series My Name Is Earl and the British TV series Blackpool. In 2013, the song was performed on The Colbert Report by Audra McDonald for a couple who shared their first dance to the song after being prevented from marrying due to the government shutdown.
"White Wedding" has also been covered by other artists and featured in more recent films. In 2000, German heavy metal singer Doro Pesch released a cover of the song on her album Calling the Wild. A different rendition of the song was featured in the 2016 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. The song has also made appearances in popular video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Guitar Hero: Van Halen.
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Frequently asked questions
The tempo of the song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol is 147 BPM.
The duration of the song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol is 4 minutes and 12 seconds.
The key of the song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol is A Major.
Yes, the song "White Wedding" by Billy Idol is very popular on Spotify, with a popularity rating between 30 and 90%.
