White Wedding

[snopes]

Comment: Rumor has it that Billy Idol wrote the song, "White Wedding"
after finding out his sister was to marry a black man.

[charlie23]

actually the original rumour was that he wrote it as a put down on his sister, not because she married a black man but simply because she got married due to pregnancy. He allegedly refuted it on a program on VH1.

[ichabodius]

My older sister told me that it was a song about incest.

[Sister Ray]

Originally Posted by charlie23

actually the original rumour was that he wrote it as a put down on his sister, not because she married a black man but simply because she got married due to pregnancy. He allegedly refuted it on a program on VH1.

I heard that too. In that context, I assumed the title refered to the tradition of a non-virgin bride not being allowed to wear white.

Sister "and I was thinking of this song today, too" Ray

Originally Posted by ichabodius

My older sister told me that it was a song about incest.

That's just like saying that Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight" Is about a man who drowned. Just because it mentions a man drowning doesn't meant that's what the song is about. "Hey little sister what have you done..." Just cause he mentions his sister I can see why people automaticly assume incest but you gotta think beyond that. I think it's about a shotgun wedding. It's more believable...

... I just listened to the song and it's pretty obvious that it's about a shotgun wedding. C'mon he even says "Hey listtle sister, shotgun." It's telling you right there.

[Sister Ray]

I think simple explanations for songs frustrate some people, and it's more fun to find the hidden meaning.

While we're on the subject, I might as well share an interpretation I just remembered today. I was grocery shopping, and the song "You Needed Me" was playing. I had heard it a bunch of times when I was in elementary school, because my sister and I liked a show that came on at six, when this station came on the air. (It was one of the last stations I remember that broadcasted test patterns.) For about a half hour between the test pattern and the show, they played music, one of which was that song. My sister told me that she thought it was a woman singing about her dog. I'm not blaming her; I thought her intepretation was right. I know that probably isn't what it is, but I still think that makes sense.

Sister "and I can even remember the name of the show" Ray

[High Eight]

Originally Posted by Sister Ray

I think simple explanations for songs frustrate some people, and it's more fun to find the hidden meaning.

While we're on the subject, I might as well share an interpretation I just remembered today. I was grocery shopping, and the song "You Needed Me" was playing. I had heard it a bunch of times when I was in elementary school, because my sister and I liked a show that came on at six, when this station came on the air. (It was one of the last stations I remember that broadcasted test patterns.) For about a half hour between the test pattern and the show, they played music, one of which was that song. My sister told me that she thought it was a woman singing about her dog. I'm not blaming her; I thought her intepretation was right. I know that probably isn't what it is, but I still think that makes sense.

Sister "and I can even remember the name of the show" Ray

Some folk magazine called Oysterband's We Could Leave Right Now "a tender love song". Funny, I always thought it was about a suicide pact.

[bthyb]

Originally Posted by nothing2lose1024

That's just like saying that Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight" Is about a man who drowned. Just because it mentions a man drowning doesn't meant that's what the song is about. "Hey little sister what have you done..." Just cause he mentions his sister I can see why people automaticly assume incest but you gotta think beyond that. I think it's about a shotgun wedding. It's more believable...

... I just listened to the song and it's pretty obvious that it's about a shotgun wedding. C'mon he even says "Hey listtle sister, shotgun." It's telling you right there.

I love how you say that just because something's mentioned doesn't make that the meaning of the song...and then go on to prove your point about White Wedding by citing words from the song.

[Kamino Neko]

Originally Posted by nothing2lose1024

Just cause he mentions his sister I can see why people automaticly assume incest

Er...wait, what?

[Debunker]

I always thought the narrator was someone from the bride's past. She was not exactly, shall we say, "virginal" and now she's ignoring her past and starting her life again as a respectable woman. The singer is pointing out the hypocrisy of her actions. I think the "little sister" phrase is not literal, it's not about incest.

Just how I always saw it...

Ever heard of Late Night with David Letterman?

Apparently not.

Idol wqas on the show in the 1980's and Letterman was interviewing him and asked him some question about what his (Idol's) lifestyle/songs are about and where he came up with his ideas for songs and Idol said, "Well I get my ideas from everywhere really. I mean, White Wedding is about cocaine, Rebel Yell, qualudes..."

Letterman said, "You must be a very proud young man."

It was even a clip on one of Letterman's anniversary shows.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by 2334Paydan

Ever heard of Late Night with David Letterman?

Apparently not.

I've heard of it. I haven't watched every episode, though, let alone memorized it. Thanks for the information, though.

[Habsfan]

Originally Posted by 2334Paydan

Ever heard of Late Night with David Letterman?

Apparently not.

Idol wqas on the show in the 1980's and Letterman was interviewing him and asked him some question about what his (Idol's) lifestyle/songs are about and where he came up with his ideas for songs and Idol said, "Well I get my ideas from everywhere really. I mean, White Wedding is about cocaine, Rebel Yell, qualudes..."

Letterman said, "You must be a very proud young man."

It was even a clip on one of Letterman's anniversary shows.

I recall watching that episode as I was a huge Billy Idol fan and I seem to remember what he said was drugs were being named after his songs.
Do you have a cite?

According to Pop Up video White Wedding was about his sister getting married because she was pregnant and his disagreement with that as a a reason for marriage.


Free Shane Doan

[bthyb]

Originally Posted by 2334Paydan

Idol wqas on the show in the 1980's and Letterman was interviewing him and asked him some question about what his (Idol's) lifestyle/songs are about and where he came up with his ideas for songs and Idol said, "Well I get my ideas from everywhere really. I mean, White Wedding is about cocaine, Rebel Yell, qualudes...".

That doesn't mean he was being serious. Sounds like a smart-ass comment to me.

Originally Posted by 2334Paydan

Ever heard of Late Night with David Letterman?

Apparently not.

Idol wqas on the show in the 1980's and Letterman was interviewing him and asked him some question about what his (Idol's) lifestyle/songs are about and where he came up with his ideas for songs and Idol said, "Well I get my ideas from everywhere really. I mean, White Wedding is about cocaine, Rebel Yell, qualudes..."

Letterman said, "You must be a very proud young man."

It was even a clip on one of Letterman's anniversary shows.

You can see the entire interview here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jxsfsIwc38

start watching at about 5:22 in
"The drug dealers in westforth call their drugs by the names of my songs, like there's white wedding cocaine and rebel yell quaaludes..."