"White Wedding" is a song by Billy Idol that was released as the second single from his self-titled studio album in 1982. Although not Idol's highest-charting hit, it is often considered one of his most recognizable songs. In the US, it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart on 27 November 1982, then 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 there in 1985, when it was re-issued to promote the Vital Idol remix album.
The music video, featuring Idol attending a goth wedding, is one of his best-known. The bride is played by Perri Lister, Idol's real-life girlfriend at the time. She is also one of the three dancers clad in black leather, who slap their buttocks in time with the clap track in the song as they shimmy downwards near the end. "That's the kind of thing they love in England", says Idol.
In one scene, Idol forces a wedding ring made of barbed wire onto Lister's finger and cuts her knuckle. Lister insisted that her knuckle actually be cut in order for the scene to appear more realistic. MTV initially removed this scene from the video.
Also controversial were the apparent Nazi salutes made by the crowd toward the couple. Director David Mallet says he was merely "playing with the power of crowd imagery" when he had the extras reach toward the bride and did not realize how it looked until after it was filmed.
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