• Track: I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock and Roll)
• Artist: Nick Lowe & His Cowboy Outfit
• Album: The Rose of England
• Year: 1985

Lyrics:

I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll

Well, the bride was a picture in the gown that her mama wore
When she was married herself nearly twenty-seven years before
The had to change the style a little but it looked just fine
Stayed up all night, but they got it finished just in time

Now on the arm of her daddy, she’s walkin’ down the aisle
I see her catch my eye and give me a secret smile
Maybe it’s too old fashioned, but we once were close friends
Oh, but the way that she looks today, she never could have then.

Well, I can see her now in her tight blue jeans
Stuffin’ all her money in the record machine

Well, I can see her now in her tight blue jeans
Stuffin’ all her money in the record machine
Spinnin’ like a top, you shoulda seen her go
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll [x2]

Well, the proud daddy only want to give his little girl the best
So he put down a grand on a cozy little lover’s nest
You could have called the reception an unqualified success
At a posh hotel for a hundred and fifty guests

Well, take a look at the bridegroom smilin’ pleased as pie
Shakin’ hands all around with a glassy look in his eye
He got a real good job and his shirt and tie is nice
But I remember a time when she never would have looked at him twice

Well, I can see her now drinkin’ with the boys
Breakin’ their hearts like they were toys
She used to do the pony, she used to do the stroll
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll [Repeat: x4]

Harp ride

Well, I can see her now with her walk man on
Struttin’ up and down to her favorite song
I still remember when she used to wanta make a lot of noise
Hoppin’ and boppin’ with the street corner boys
She used to wanna party, she used to wanna go
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll [Repeat: x4]
I knew the bride when she used to do the pony
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll
I knew the bride when she used to wanta party
I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll

Get It:

Nick would like it very much if you were to pick up a copy of The Rose of England here:

This infectious ditty was written by Nick Lowe but was first popularized by Lowe’s frequent musical cohort, Dave Edmunds, in 1977. The song appeared on a compilation album in 1978 (a collaborative effort with Edmunds, Elvis Costello, and Wreckless Eric). A studio version was released on Lowe’s 1985 album, The Rose of England.

Interestingly, Huey Lewis sings backing vocals on this track, and Paul Carrack (who has been a part of Squeeze, Ace, and Mike & The Mechanics) plays bass and sings back-up with Lewis. Guitarist Johnny Colla previously played with Sly & the Family Stone and Huey Lewis & The News.

¹ We won’t have another leap year until 2020, so be sure to enjoy this special February 29 entry.

Video:

This is one of the better videos produced in the 1980s. It still makes me laugh more than 30 years later.

Here is the video for Raging Eyes, which appeared on 1983’s Abominable Showman:

Lastly, but not leastly, here is the video for one of the Dances with Bass favorite tunes, Cruel to Be Kind:

You Might Also Like: