Rhiannon Hendricks
Billy Idol's White Wedding is considered one of his most recognizable songs. It was released in 1982 as the second single from his self-titled debut solo album. The song was written in just 20 minutes and is about unrequited love, with Idol singing about a woman he loves who wants to marry someone else. Although the song references Idol's sister, it is not entirely about her. The phrase “sister is slang in England for girlfriend. The song also addresses Idol's rock star life and leaving his former life behind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | White Wedding |
| Artist | Billy Idol |
| Genre | Punk |
| Album | Billy Idol |
| Year of Release | 1982 |
| Song Inspiration | Billy Idol's sister's wedding |
| Song Meaning | Unrequited love, a wedding from hell |
| Song Interpretation | A man's obsession with cocaine, white trash/trailer park incest |
| Songwriting Time | 20 minutes |
| Single Release Date | October 1982 |
| Single Chart Position | No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 |
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What You'll Learn
Billy Idol wrote 'White Wedding' in 20 minutes
Billy Idol wrote "White Wedding" in just 20 minutes. The song, which was released in 1982, is considered one of his most recognizable hits.
Idol wrote the song after reflecting on his sister's recent marriage, which he did not attend as he was in America. The line "It's a nice day to start again" was likely influenced by Idol's recent breakup with his former band, Generation X.
In his 2015 memoir, *Dancing With Myself*, Idol recalled how producer and drummer Keith Forsey put him to work in the control room with his guitar and a drum machine. Twenty minutes later, Idol emerged with the song "White Wedding." Forsey was initially skeptical that Idol had written something so quickly, but after examining the work tape, they began constructing a demo.
The song is about Idol's girlfriend, who wants to marry someone else, and his feelings of unrequited love. The music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, is one of his most well-known. The bride is played by Perri Lister, Idol's real-life girlfriend at the time.
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The song is about unrequited love
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a song about unrequited love. The inspiration for the song came from his sister Jane's wedding, which Idol did not attend as he was in America at the time. The lyrics of the song allude to a woman the singer loves marrying someone else while he still loves her. The title "White Wedding" is a reference to the singer's obsession with the idea of getting married.
The song is also a reflection of Idol's life at the time, including his rock star life and leaving part of his former life behind. In an interview, Idol mentioned that the song was written in 20 minutes as he assembled his debut solo album. The single was released in October 1982 and became one of Idol's most recognizable hits.
The music video for "White Wedding" features Idol attending a goth wedding and includes controversial scenes, such as apparent Nazi salutes made by the crowd. The song's ominous guitar intro and accusatory tone have made it one of Idol's most memorable works.
While the specific interpretation of the song may vary, the theme of unrequited love and the underlying emotions it evokes have contributed to its enduring popularity and cultural impact.
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It was inspired by his sister's wedding
Billy Idol's "White Wedding" is a song inspired by a mix of personal experiences and imaginative storytelling. While the song is often associated with his sister, Jane Broad, the narrative extends beyond her actual life events. At the time of writing, Idol's sister was getting married and pregnant, which formed a basis for exploration within the song. However, he clarifies that the song isn't entirely about her.
In the lyrics, Idol addresses his sister's situation with lines like "Hey little sister, what have you done?" and "Hey little sister, who's the only one?". This personal element adds depth to the song, but it also serves as a creative springboard for a broader narrative. The concept of a "white wedding" typically implies a bride's purity, but Idol uses sarcasm to subvert this notion, alluding to his girlfriend, who was "far from innocent."
The song also reflects on Idol's own life experiences, including his move to America and the challenges of leaving his former life behind. He explores the taboo nature of certain conventions, such as the contrast between the celebratory nature of a wedding and the potential underlying complexities, like a shotgun wedding. Idol's songwriting process involved drawing from personal experiences and imaginative twists, creating a narrative that resonates with listeners.
The music video for "White Wedding," directed by David Mallet, further enhances the song's impact. It features Idol attending a goth wedding, with Perri Lister, his real-life girlfriend at the time, playing the bride. The visuals are notable for their dark and nightmarish aesthetic, deviating from the traditional image of a "white wedding."
"White Wedding" has become one of Billy Idol's most recognizable songs, known for its powerful guitar intro and accusatory tone. It has been featured in various media, including films, TV series, and live performances, solidifying its place in popular culture.
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The single peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100
"White Wedding" is a song by Billy Idol that was released as the second single from his self-titled debut studio album in 1982. The single "White Wedding (Part 1)" peaked at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 2, 1983, after it was re-issued. The longer version, "White Wedding (Parts 1 and 2)", was an eight-minute track. The single's success helped launch Billy Idol's solo career and remains one of his most recognisable hits.
The song was written in just 20 minutes and was inspired by the wedding of Idol's sister, Jane Broad, who was getting married and pregnant at the time. However, the song is not entirely about his sister. In the song, Idol sings about unrequited love and a girlfriend who wants to marry someone else. The term "sister" is used as slang in England for "girlfriend", similar to "bae". The song also addresses Idol's rock star life and leaving part of his former life behind.
The music video for "White Wedding", featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, is one of his best-known and most iconic. The single cover artwork features an image of Idol, which was a departure from the anonymous sleeve of his previous single, "Hot in the City". The song's ominous guitar intro and accusatory tone have been noted by critics as attention-grabbing.
"White Wedding" has had a lasting impact and has been referenced and covered by other artists. The line "It's a nice day to start again" was featured on the sticker on the front of Idol's 2005 album, "Devil's Playground". The song was also featured in the 1985 Italian horror film "Demons".
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It was his second charting hit
"White Wedding" was Billy Idol's second charting hit, following the 1981 single "Dancing with Myself". It was the second single from his self-titled studio album, released in 1982. The song was written in just 20 minutes as Idol assembled his debut solo album.
The song is about a woman Idol loved marrying someone else while he was still in love with her. Although it is speculated that the song is about his sister, Idol has clarified that it was inspired by his sister's wedding but not entirely about her. In England, the term "sister" is slang for "bae" or "girlfriend". The song also addresses Idol's rock star life and leaving part of his former life behind.
"White Wedding" is considered one of Idol's most recognisable hits, with the music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, being one of his best-known. The song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart and No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart upon its re-release in 1985.
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Frequently asked questions
The song was inspired by his sister Jane's wedding, which he did not attend. He sent them a greeting card that said, "A nice day for a white wedding".
The song is about a woman Idol loved marrying someone else. It is not about his real sister, but the term "sister" is used as slang for "girlfriend" or "bae" in England.
Billy Idol wrote 'White Wedding' in just 20 minutes while assembling his debut solo album.
