Idol began his music career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. However, he soon left the group. With his former bandmate Tony James, Idol formed Generation X. With Idol as lead singer, the band achieved success in the United Kingdom and released three studio albums on Chrysalis Records, then disbanded. In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut studio album, Billy Idol (1982), was a commercial success. With music videos for singles "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" Idol soon became a staple of then newly-established MTV.
Idol's second studio album, Rebel Yell (1983), was a major commercial success, featuring hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face". The album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipment of two million copies in the US. In 1986, he released Whiplash Smile. Having accumulated three UK top 10 singles ("Rebel Yell", "White Wedding" and "Mony Mony"), Idol released a 1988 greatest hits album titled Idol Songs: 11 of the Best; the album went platinum in the United Kingdom. Idol then released Charmed Life (1990) and the concept album Cyberpunk (1993).
Idol spent the second half of the 1990s focusing on his personal life out of the public eye. He made a musical comeback with the release of Devil's Playground (2005) and again with Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014).
White Christmas
Billy Idol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where those tree-tops glisten,
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write,
And may all your Christmases be white".
Well, I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know.
May your days, may your days be merry and bright,
Oh so bright,
And may all your Christmases be white,
So white, white Christmas
They got to be white
So white, white Christmas
You know I'm dreaming of you
Billy Idol's rendition of "White Christmas" is a classic holiday-themed cover of the original 1942 Bing Crosby tune. The song is written from the perspective of someone reminiscing about their memories of Christmas from the past and longing for a picturesque winter landscape with snow-covered treetops and the sound of sleigh bells ringing in the night air. The singer is nostalgic for the magical feeling of Christmases gone by and expresses their sincere wishes for a merry and bright future holiday season.
The song's message is simple yet touching, and it speaks to the sense of joyful anticipation and hopefulness that most people associate with the holiday season. The idealized portrait of a white Christmas evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and togetherness, all of which are central to the holiday's traditional imagery and values. Through the lyrics, Billy Idol invites listeners to join him in dreaming of a white Christmas and hoping for a peaceful, happy, and love-filled holiday season with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
I wish to experience a Christmas with snow.
Just like the ones I used to know.
I long for a Christmas that reminds me of past happy memories.
Where those tree-tops glisten,
I want to see snow-covered trees that shine in the light.
And children listen
I imagine children being happy and excited to hear the sound of sleigh bells during Christmas.
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I want to experience the traditional sound of Santa's arrival during Christmas.
With every Christmas card I write,
I express my desire for others to experience a joyful Christmas like the one I dream of.
"May your days be merry and bright,
I hope everyone's Christmas days are filled with happiness and light.
And may all your Christmases be white".
I wish for everyone to have a white Christmas filled with snow.
May your days, may your days be merry and bright,
I repeat my wish for everyone to have cheerful and brilliant Christmas days.
Oh so bright,
I emphasize my desire for people to have the most joyful Christmas days possible.
And may all your Christmases be white,
I stress my hope for everyone to have white and happy Christmases.
So white, white Christmas
I emphasize my desire for a white Christmas.
They got to be white
I firmly believe that my dream Christmas must have snow to be complete.
So white, white Christmas
I express my longing for a white Christmas again.
You know I'm dreaming of you
I think of someone I miss during this time, wishing they were there to experience this Christmas with me.
Contributed by Jacob E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PedroAraujoStudio
Billy Idol is a legend! I'm playing this in my christmas this year
@soniaalves4601
Amei !!❤❤❤❤
@america1st221
How did I miss this album? Christmas Greetings 2021!
@LeCrenn
Love Billy. Didn't think carols would be a good fit. Glad to find I was wrong. This sounds great.
@karelltulod3079
Merry Christmas December 31 2020
@bugeanuflorin1531
Fabulous, Fantastic, Magical, amazing music, thank you Billy, good time for you
@luciaquetti9418
Omg I love love loove this! You're the best Billy ♥️
@valeriarodriguez9405
Loooove it!!!!
@MakeYouWet
Outstanding!!
@willswalkingwest7267
OMG, I love it.