“Polyester Bride” was the first single from whitechocolatespaceegg released in the summer of 1998, shortly after the release of the album.
A US single was originally slated for “Polyester Bride,” but was shelved after the song began to lose steam on the radio. However, a planned Japanese single went forward and was issued shortly after the release of the album.
The Japanese single featured the album version of “Polyester Bride” along with “Greased Lightning” and “White Bird of Texas” – two songs that were contenders for whitechocolatespaceegg during earlier recording sessions (see WCSE Sessions).
“Polyester Bride” is also notable for being originally written during Liz’s Girly-Sound days, although many fans weren’t aware of this fact until much later, as it was one of a few songs that were never originally circulated. It wasn’t until the release of Girly-Sound to Guyville that it was widely known as part of the original set.
The Girly-Sound version was the first song on side two of the second tape, Girls! Girls! Girls!, and is a near 8-minute track that featured additional verses.
Polyester Bride (Japanese Import Single)
Released: August 21, 1998
Label: Matador (TOCP-40085) / Capitol (TOCP-40085) Toshiba EMI Limited
Format: CD
Country: Japan
Availability: Extremely Rare
All songs written by Liz Phair
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Polyester Bride | 4:06 |
| 02. | Greased Lightning | 2:51 |
| 04. | White Bird Of Texas | 3:11 |
“Polyester Bride” produced by Brad Wood. Mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.
Liz Phair: vocals, guitar
Brad Wood: bass, drums, background vocals, engineering
John Hiler: organ, background vocals, engineering
Jason Chasko: guitar
Recorded at Velvet Shirt Studios, Chicago, IL.
Mixed at South Beach Studios
“Greased Lightning” produced by Liz Phair. Mixed by Tom Lord-Alge
Liz Phair: vocals, guitar
Scott Bennet: bass, drums, percussion
Ed Tinley: guitar
Recorded at Velvet Shirt Studios, Chicago, IL
Mixed at South Beach Studios, Miami Beach, FL
“White Bird of Texas” produced and mixed by Scott Litt
Liz Phair: vocals, guitar
Jason Chasko: guitar, drums
Scott Litt: bass keyboard
Recorded and mixed at Louie’s Clubhouse, Los Angeles, CA
Polyester Bride (Promotional Single)
Released: August 21, 1998
Label: Matador (US: DPRO 7087 6 12877 2 1, EU: CDSP 193)
Format: CD (Promotional)
Country: US, Europe
Availability: Rare
A promotional CD was also released for “Polyester Bride” for both the US and Europe. It consisted of fairly generic artwork and featured the album version and edit of the track.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Polyester Bride (Edit) | 3:43 |
| 02. | Polyester Bride (Album Version) | 4:05 |
In addition to the Japanese and promotional versions, a 7″ single was also released for inclusion in jukeboxes. Its A side was “Polyester Bride” and its B-side was “Greased Lightning.”
Video
Polyester Bride
Director: Kevin Kerslake
Director of Photography: Nicola Pecorini
Production Company: Gigantic Films
Production Design: Floyd Albee
Released: 1998
The video for “Polyester Bride” debuted on MTV’s 120 Minutes on September 27, 1998.
Lyrics
Polyester Bride
I was talking, not two days ago
To a certain bartender I’m lucky to know
And I asked Henry, my bartending friend
If I should bother dating unfamous men
And Henry said, “You’re lucky to even know me.
You’re lucky to be alive. You’re lucky to be drinking here for free cause I’m a
Sucker for your lucky, pretty eyes.”
And then he said, “Do you want to be a Polyester Bride?
Or do you want to hang your head and die?
Do you want to find alligator cowboy boots they just put on sale?
Do you want to flap your wings and fly away from here?”
I was sitting, not two days ago
Feeling lonely ’cause I’m just feeling low
And I asked Henry, my bartending friend
Why it is that there are those kind of men
And Henry said, “You’re lucky to even know me.
You’re lucky to be alive. You’re lucky to be drinking here for free cause I’m a
Sucker for your lucky, pretty eyes.”
And then he said, “Do you want to be a Polyester Bride?
Or do you want to hang your head and die?
Do you want to find alligator cowboy boots they just put on sale?
Do you want to flap your wings and fly away from here?”
“Princess, do you really want to flap your wings and fly
Because you’ve got time.”
He keeps telling me, “You’ve got time.”
But I don’t believe him
“You’ve got time.”
I keep on pushing harder…
I keep on pushing farther away
But he keeps telling me baby
He says baby yeah
“Do you want to be a polyester bride?”
Do you wanna hang your head and die
Do ya wanna find alligator cowboy boots they just put on sale
Do you wanna flap your wings and fly away from here
Do you wanna be a polyester bride
Away from here
Do you wanna be a polyester bride
Away from here
Do you wanna be a polyester bride
Away from here
“Princess, do you really want to flap your wings and fly away from here”
Greased Lightning
I had a dream
And you were in it
You ran a race
But you didn’t win it
And I wasn’t sorry to see you lose
I would’ve paid good money
To have them grease your shoes
Greased lightning
Going nowhere at all
It was frightening to watch you skid right into a fall
You spent your life
Expecting me to watch
So each time you slipped down
I cut a lower notch
So I wasn’t sorry to feel you slide
If this is your body
I’m a thorn in your side
Greased lightning
Going nowhere at all
It was frightening
To watch you skid right into a fall
If you think that it’s gone and forgotten, then you’re wrong
Greased lightning
Going nowhere
And all it was frightening to watch you skip right into a fall
Greased lightning
going nowhere
It was frightening to watch you skid right into a fall
White Bird of Texas
The last time I spoke to my aunt before she died
She was describing to me this incredible owl
That was sitting in a tree
It meant nothing to me
But it means a lot more now
Because I’m waiting, I’m waiting, I’m waiting for the bird
I’m waiting, I’m ready, I know it is my turn
All those cigarettes, alcohol, this body’s through
You’re a goner for sure when the bird comes for you
And the last time I spoke to my uncle before he died
It was the very same week, but one year before her
He was sitting alone in his study, on the phone
When a giant hawk flew by
Said, “I’m waiting, I’m waiting, I’m waiting for the bird,
I didn’t expect to be noticed or heard.
Oh, Elizabeth, help me, I can’t find the room,
You’re gone for sure when the bird comes for you.”
And, oh, it is scary
And, oh, it is cold to the bone
My body’s not ready for my mind to learn
I have just been consigned here to rot in the earth
Said, “I’m waiting, I’m waiting, I’m waiting for the bird,
It comes in and takes you away from this world.
Gate twenty-seven, I can’t find the room.
You’re free to board now, they’re waiting for you.”
I’m waiting, I’m waiting, I’m waiting for the bird
I’ve seen it three times now, there’s nothing to learn
And don’t be surprised if the sky’s bright and blue
And the white bird of Texas comes barreling through
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