Cloudbusting -- Kate Bush In Her Own Words

The Wedding List

``Wedding list'' is about the powerful force of revenge, an unhealthy energy which in this song proves to be a ``killer'' (1980, KBC 7)

That was based on a film, a Jeanne Moreau film I once saw on the telly, when the bride's husband was killed and she sought revenge for those responsible. [She spends the next 15 minutes relating the plot of the film, ending in a breathless flourish]. It was an amazing film. Can't remember what it was called, though. [The film, truffaut's tribute to alfred hitchcock, is called la mariee etait en noir, or the bride wore black. - ied] (1980, Oct 10, Melody Maker)

Revenge is so powerful and futile in the situation in the song. Instead of just one person being killed, it's three: her husband, the guy who did it - who was right on top of the wedding list with the silver plates - and her, because when she's done it, there's nothing left. All her ambition and purpose has all gone into that one guy. She's dead, there's nothing there. (1980, Zigzag)

Revenge is a terrible power, and the idea is to show that it's so strong that even at such a tragic time it's all she can think about. I find the whole aggression of human beings fascinating - how we are suddenly whipped up to such an extent that we can't see anything except that. Did you see the film Deathwish, and the way the audience reacted every time a mugger got shot? Terrible - though I cheered, myself. (1981, Record Mirror)

Gaffaweb / Cloudbusting / Music / The Wedding List