I can’t believe I let this upbeat and brassy hit from Elton John’s classic 80’s record – Too Low For Zero pass under the radar. So we are backtracking today in the alphabetical listing to present Kiss the Bride. I loved the song growing up and I didn’t make it any secret at school what I thought about it. Allow me to digress…. One of my best friends at school Gary did a caricature of my family which resides in my reflection menu, and he just happened to be a huge Billy Joel fan. We used to have it out, because my musical tastes were oriented towards Elton John and his Billy. I remember when today’s featured track Kiss the Bride came out and he would chastise me singing the chorus, ‘I want to kiss the bridegroom‘! Like his caricature, it was a pretty smart retort.
I know Elton John deservedly gets a lot of plaudits for his 70’s output and I couldn’t be more in accordance, but as far as my musical apreciation goes I consider his 1983 Too Low For Zero record one of his greatest musical feats perhaps since Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Kiss the Bride emerged during a creatively fruitful period for Elton John and his longtime collaborator, lyricist Bernie Taupin. The early 1980s marked a return to form for John, who had been experimenting with different sounds and styles.
The title track is one of my top 5 favourite songs by Elton and I consider the opening track Cold as Christmas and Crystal presented here back here in 2021 examples of lesser-known gems from his extensive discography. Not to mention: I’m Still Standing and I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues which propel this album into the stratosphere of ‘classic contemporary albums’. The album also marked the reunion of John’s classic band lineup from the 1970s, including Davey Johnstone on guitar, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums. This reunion infused the album with a familiar energy that resonated with fans.
Kiss the Bride written by John and Bernie Taupin was released as the third single from the record and was a top 40 hit in many countries. It reached No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and No. 25 in Australia to name just a few countries. John played this song on setlists from 1984 until the 1989 leg of his Sleeping with the Past Tour. The video below characteristic of the 1980s MTV era, contributed to the song’s visibility and popularity.
[Verse 1]
Well, she looked a peach in the dress she made
When she was still her mama’s little girl
And when she walked down the aisle, everybody smiled
At her innocence and curls
And when the preacher said, “Is there anyone here
Got a reason why they shouldn’t wed?”
[Pre-Chorus]
I shoulda stuck up my hand
I shoulda got up to stand
And this is what I should have said
[Chorus]
I wanna kiss the bride, yeah!
I wanna kiss the bride, yeah!
Long before she met him, she was mine, mine, mine
Don’t say, “I do”, say, “bye, bye, bye”
And lemme kiss the bride, yeah!
I wanna kiss the bride, yeah!
[Verse 2]
Underneath her veil, I could see a tear
Tricklin’ down her pretty face
And when he slipped on the ring, I knew everything
Would never be the same again
But if the groom woulda known, he’d have had a fit
About his wife and the things we di
References:
1. Kiss the Bride (song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I loved the “Too Low for Zero” album when it came out. So many great songs on there: “Cold as Christmas”, “I’m Still Standing”, “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” , the title track, “Religion.” That’s the entire Side one. I guess “Kiss the Bride” is my favorite from Side two. To me, “Too Low for Zero” was Elton John’s final great album.
I’m elated you felt something the same about one of John’s most underrated albums. No one nearly apart from us, point to it as as one of his greats. You seen him do 2 low for zero at Wembley? I don’t care if the sound isn’t great. Just to see him do that there and increase his vocal intensity and mix it up, is one for the ages.
The 1984 live version at Wembley? Sounds great! Unfortunately, I never saw Elton John live.
Same here, one of my biggest music regrets
Love that whole album. Cold as Christmas is just so good….
It’s so good isn’t it? Is ‘Cold as Christmas’ Elton John’s most underrated song?
And then you have 2 low for zero at Wembley. The sound sucks, but as Lennon would say ‘you give me a Trombo and I’ll get something out of it’ haha
I’m seeing Billy Joel at Coors Field in Denver on July 12. Can’t wait. Billy, Elton, and Ben Folds are my beloved piano/soloist faves. In heaven, they will perform a three-grand piano trio on stage 🙂
That’s exciting Bernie! I saw Billy in Sydney 91′ on his Stormfront tour. It was very good.
Elton will be also performing? I hope you write about it here. Cheers buddy.
I agree with you that the title-track is absolutely wonderful. Quite unusual arrangement in EJ catalogue (very new-age sounding), it’s more than just a song to me, it’s an experience !
Hi Aubin! Thanks for writing. I think ‘Two Low for Zero’ is a masterpiece for all the reasons you mentioned. It is arguably his most underrated song. To me musically it transcends time not unlike The Smiths – ‘How Soon is Now’ which also can’t be replicated. And moreover the record itself is up there with ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ at least as far as my musical appreciation is concerned.