Music Review: Billy Idol "Cradle Of Love"
Billy Idol
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Cradle Of Love
Album: Adventures Of Ford Fairlane Soundtrack/Charmed Life
Year: 1990
Billy Idol snags an 18-year-old wife in the brash “Cradle Of Love.”
Pulsing guitars open the single, setting a smoldering tone. In the first chorus, he tells people that he has chased teen girls. It’s a reason people often ostracize him and it’s caused him grief.
In the first verse, he says when he first dated a young girl and his family shunned him. He said he didn’t have any intention of doing her harm. He married her in secret. He says people fall for others in unconvential ways and it surprised him. He realizes it’s wrong that he’s with a girl who hasn’t had a chance to grow up yet. However, the taboo attracts him.
In the second chorus, he adds he was meant to be with someone much younger than him. In his opinion, love isn’t as clean and pretty. Sometimes, it can be rough and messy.
In the second verse, he says seeing her uncovered shoulders and hears her enjoyment from his kiss. It gets him aroused and it can’t be controlled. He says he can’t help it and careful not to get caught.
In the bridge, he says the risk of considered a pervert and upsetting family members is a price he knew had to pay.
A flaunting guitar solo follows.
Parts of the first and second verse are sung again.
In the final verse, he adds that he took one girl away from a jerk who could abuse and truly cared for her. He asks his wife to sleep with him.
Idol is a gentleman with his young wife. He’s respectful of her as he defends his preference. While he was at the movies, he chatted up an 18-year-old girl. They began dating, which caused his friends to mock them for a while and his parents to question him. However, he’s happy to be with her. All the strife was worth it. However, it has caused him angst. He isn’t a creepy monster preying on five-year-olds nor is he a pervert, interested in deflowering the naïve virgin. He’s a man who happened to fall for a younger woman. Ultimately, his angst regarding the relationship redeems him and makes him human.
Idol’s tormented, secretive vocals are tight with sexual frustration. Unlike most men, kissing her in public will mean disapproving looks and for conversation to end. On one end, he likes the jolt it gives people but the shame stays with him.
The sweltry arrangement is ablaze with a strong, undying heat. Idol’s screams and growls ignite it even more.
The controversial “Cradle Of Love” is pop at its most fearless.
Album: Adventures Of Ford Fairlane Soundtrack/Charmed Life
Year: 1990
Billy Idol snags an 18-year-old wife in the brash “Cradle Of Love.”
Pulsing guitars open the single, setting a smoldering tone. In the first chorus, he tells people that he has chased teen girls. It’s a reason people often ostracize him and it’s caused him grief.
“Well rock the cradle of love/Rock the cradle of love/Yes the cradle of love/Don't rock easily it's true/Well, rock the cradle of love/I rocked the cradle of love/Yes, the cradle of love/Don't rock easily it's true.”
In the first verse, he says when he first dated a young girl and his family shunned him. He said he didn’t have any intention of doing her harm. He married her in secret. He says people fall for others in unconvential ways and it surprised him. He realizes it’s wrong that he’s with a girl who hasn’t had a chance to grow up yet. However, the taboo attracts him.
“Well now/It burned like a ball of fire/When the rebel took a little child bride/To tease yeah/So go easy yeah/Cause love cuts a million ways/Shakes the devil when he misbehaves/I ain't nobody's fool/Come on shake it up/Whatever I do.”
In the second chorus, he adds he was meant to be with someone much younger than him. In his opinion, love isn’t as clean and pretty. Sometimes, it can be rough and messy.
“Rock the cradle of love/Rock the cradle of love/Yes the cradle of love don't rock easily it's true/Sent from heaven above that's right/To rob the cradle of love/Yes the pages of love don't talk decently it's true.”
In the second verse, he says seeing her uncovered shoulders and hears her enjoyment from his kiss. It gets him aroused and it can’t be controlled. He says he can’t help it and careful not to get caught.
“Yeah flesh for your romeo/Ah yeah baby/I hear you moan/It's easy y'know how to please me yeah/This love starts my rollin’ train/You can't stop it/It ain't in vain/I ain't nobody's fool/Come on shake it up/Whatever I do.”
In the bridge, he says the risk of considered a pervert and upsetting family members is a price he knew had to pay.
“These are the wages of love/Rock the cradle of love/These are the wages of love/Oh yeah/Rock the cradle/Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah.”
A flaunting guitar solo follows.
Parts of the first and second verse are sung again.
“ Well it burned like a ball of fire/When the rebel took a little child bride/To tease yeah I know how to please you yeah/Well my love starts a rollin train/You can't stop it/It ain't in vain/I ain't nobody's fool/Come on shake it up/Whatever I do.”
In the final verse, he adds that he took one girl away from a jerk who could abuse and truly cared for her. He asks his wife to sleep with him.
“Rock the cradle of love/Rock the cradle of love/Sent from heaven above/That's right/To rock the cradle of love/Rock the cradle of love/Yeah cradle of love/That's me mama/I robbed the devil of love/All right/Cradle of love/If you tease me tonight/If you sleaze me all right/If you appease me tonight/And let me ease you/Cradle of love.”
Idol is a gentleman with his young wife. He’s respectful of her as he defends his preference. While he was at the movies, he chatted up an 18-year-old girl. They began dating, which caused his friends to mock them for a while and his parents to question him. However, he’s happy to be with her. All the strife was worth it. However, it has caused him angst. He isn’t a creepy monster preying on five-year-olds nor is he a pervert, interested in deflowering the naïve virgin. He’s a man who happened to fall for a younger woman. Ultimately, his angst regarding the relationship redeems him and makes him human.
Idol’s tormented, secretive vocals are tight with sexual frustration. Unlike most men, kissing her in public will mean disapproving looks and for conversation to end. On one end, he likes the jolt it gives people but the shame stays with him.
The sweltry arrangement is ablaze with a strong, undying heat. Idol’s screams and growls ignite it even more.
The controversial “Cradle Of Love” is pop at its most fearless.