Billy Idol - White Wedding - Meaning of the song
Despite rumors to the contrary, this song is not about Idol's actual little sister. "Little sister" is slang for girlfriend. He is singing about a woman/girl he loves marrying someone else while he still loves her. Idol did have a sister who was getting married, but he explained that his sister's wedding simply gave him the idea for the song. Like many of Idol's compositions, he started with the title and wrote the song from there.
The video for this song help launch Billy Idol to stardom. It was directed by David Mallet, who had worked with Queen and David Bowie. Idol had little cash, so Mallet cut him a break on his fee. The concept was a "nightmare wedding," with a Goth guy (Idol) marrying a normal girl, with some vampire imagery thrown in. The bride was played by Perri Lister, who was Billy's girlfriend. The resulting video contained some of the most indelible images seen on MTV, including the barbed-wire wedding ring, the motorcycle crashing through the church window, and the dancers slapping their own butts in time to the music. Mallet said of Idol in the book I Want My MTV:
"In those days, he was the greatest looker and mover since Elvis. Before 'White Wedding,' nobody would have admitted that was even possible. One look at that video and they got him."
White Wedding Pt 1 - Lyrics
Hey little sister what have you done? Hey little sister who's the only one? Hey little sister who's your superman? Hey little sister who's the one you want? Hey little sister shot gun! 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. Hey little sister who is it you're with? Hey little sister what's your vice and wish? Hey little sister shot gun (oh yeah) Hey little sister who's your superman? Hey little sister shot gun! It's a nice day to start again (come on) It's a nice day for a white wedding It's a nice day to start again. (Pick it up) Take me back home Hey little sister what have you done? Hey little sister who's the only one? I've been away for so long (so long) I've been away for so long (so long) I let you go for so long It's a nice day to start again (come on) It's a nice day for a white wedding It's a nice day to start again. There is nothin' fair in this world There is nothin' safe in this world And there's nothin' sure in this world And there's nothin' pure in this world Look for something left in this world Start again Come on It's a nice day for a white wedding It's a nice day to start again. It's a nice day to start again. It's a nice day to start again
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