Attack of the Killer Track! is a series that explores tracks from artists from a variety of genres. Some of the tracks were singles, some of them were obscure b-sides or long forgotten album tracks. One thing is certain – all of them are killer tracks.
By 1982 Billy Idol was on the verge of stardom. Following a brief stint in the punk band Chelsea, he fronted Generation X over the course of several albums and singles. After Generation X came to a grinding halt, Idol released a stop-gap EP in 1981 that featured an updated version Gen X’s Dancing With Myself. Retaining the snarling punk attitude, but layering it with an increased focus on the airwaves, it laid the groundwork for Idol’s self titled hit album of 1982. White Wedding was released as a single on October 23, 1982 and instantly became one of Billy Idol’s most recognizable songs. A propulsive beat married to 80’s synths, punk attitude, and a “Greaser” 50’s vibe, this is an absolute classic. The album and single version label the song as Part 1, and yes there is a Part 2 – you’ll have to hunt down the 1982 12″ release to hear part 2, which is a more synth heavy coda to the main song. The song peaked at #6 in the UK and #36 in the US. The video was somewhat controversial at the time, but seems relatively tame by today’s standards. As great as this song is (perhaps Billy Idol’s best, solo or Generation X), it is worth your time to hunt down Rowland S. Howard’s haunting cover version. “It’s a nice day for a white wedding / it’s a nice day to…start again”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZQaYKZMTI]