Billy Idol — Hot in The City / White Wedding Promo
Author: tracysigler | Posted: April 20th, 2006 | | Tags: 1982, Billy Idol, dance, hard rock, music, new wave, vinyl | 1 Comment »
- Artist: Billy Idol
- Title: Hot in The City / White Wedding Promo
- Year: 1982
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1986 ? – She probably got it when she was working at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
- Keeper: Maybe
This is just between us. I went to see Billy Idol in a concert during what was probably his first big US tour. That’s embarrassing enough, but since we’ve known each other for so long, I’ll keep going. I’m pretty sure what follows, or something similar, is what I was wearing:
- Camouflage BDU pants (probably from the local surplus store).
- Black tee shirt with the name of a local new-wave band, “The Nerve”, printed on it in neon pink, with the sleeves cut out, because I’m cool and all.
- Not sure about the footwear, probably army surplus boots or maybe Vans.
- Hair? I wish I could remember because I know it would be funny.
- And the best part… a wide black leather wristband with chrome spikes, not sissy studs, spikes!
While we were waiting in line outside, forever, a police officer apparently inspecting the line for trouble-makers saw my wristband and said it had to go. They knew. I was dangerous!
This 12 inch single has a remix of “Hot in The City” on one side and a remix “White Wedding” on the other. It was a promo, but it looks like it’s been sold a few times. Everybody knows these songs; they were huge hits. I even think they’re decent pop songs. But there is one hilarious detail to this version of “White Wedding” that isn’t on the original.
After one of the verses Billy yells “Rock… Music” and then later “Dynamite… (plus something else I couldn’t make out). ” What?!?… What?!? Did he just yell “Rock Music”? And there is a mega “delay” or echo so it’s really more like “ROCK ROCk ROck Rock rock rock… MUSIC MUSIc MUSic MUsic Music music…” What?!? Was this record intended for a non-english-speaking country? In the studio did someone say “Billy just scream the silliest thing you can think of and we’ll make it sound cool with effects”?
The remix of White Wedding you refer to is later included on the album “vital idol” as well.
The silly phrase where he goes…rock, rock, rock…muse, muse, muse, is the same on the version on vital idol. It sounds cool. For the time period it came from , where dancefloors were ignited by this type of remix (rock dance), this is an interesting way of remixing. This song brings back memories of teen clubs, dragon’s lair, and dressing like a breakdancer/punk hybrid so much.