The history of the creation of Billy Idol’s Sweet Sixteen song is connected with the so-called Coral Castle. This amazing building is the main attraction of the American city of Holmsted, in the US state of Florida.
In the middle of the last century, it was built from coral limestone by a native of Latvia, Edward Lidskalnins. He worked alone at night, without using heavy machinery. Until now, researchers have not been able to fully understand how a frail and sickly guy managed to solve such incredible engineering problems. He is said to have unraveled the secrets of the ancient Egyptian builders, which allowed him to move and process huge blocks of stone.
The story and meaning of the song Sweet Sixteen – Billy Idol
But we are more interested not in the technical details of the construction of the Coral Castle, but in the sad event in the life of Edward, which prompted him to create a majestic masterpiece. The girl Agnes was involved in it, who was supposed to become his wife. But the sixteen-year-old charmer left her fiancé on the eve of the wedding and married a successful doctor.
Desperate to find personal happiness, Edward left for the United States, where he settled in Florida. There he began to build a castle, dedicating it to his beloved. With this, he wanted to melt her heart and convince her to return to him. But Agnes stayed with the doctor and bore him three children.
In the early eighties, Billy Idol learned about the history of the Coral Castle, who by that time had moved from England to the USA and took up a solo career. The fate and construction of Mr. Lidskalninsh so impressed the musician that he wrote the song Sweet Sixteen (“Sweet Sixteen”) about him. So called his beloved Edward.
Sweet Sixteen release and music video – Billy Idol
The song was included on the Whiplash Smile album released in 1986.
The music video for Sweet Sixteen – Billy Idol was filmed at the same Coral Castle.
Interesting Facts
- The castle does have a rocking chair, which is mentioned in the song “Sweet Sixteen”. It is made from a single block of limestone and is still swaying.
- The gift shop at Coral Castle sells pictures of Billy Idol taken during his visit to the attraction.
Sweet Sixteen by Billy Idol Lyrics
I’ll do anything
For my sweet sixteen
And I’ll do anything
For little run away child
Gave my heart an engagement ring
She took every thing
Ev’rything I gave her
Oh sweet sixteen
built a moon
For a rocking chair
I never guessed it would
Rock her far from here
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Someone’s built a candy castle
For my sweet sixteen
Someone’s built a candy brain
And filled it in
Well, memories will burn you
Memories grow older as people can
They just get colder
Like sweet sixteen
Oh, I see it’s clear
Baby, that you are
All through here
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Someone’s built a candy castle
For my sweet sixteen
Someone’s built a candy house
To house her in
Someone’s built a candy castle
For my sweet sixteen
Someone’s built a candy brain
And filled it in
Yeah, sad and lonely and blue
Yeah, gettin’ over you
How do you think it feels
Yeah to get up in the morning, get over you
Up in the morning, get over you
Wipe away the tears, get over you,
get over, get over…
My sweet sixteen
Oh runaway child
Oh sweet sixteen
little runaway girl
Gave my heart an engagement ring
She left everything
Everything I gave her
sweet sixteen
built a moon
For a rocking chair,
Never guessed it would
Rock her far from here
Oh, oh, oh
Someone’s built a candy castle
For my sweet sixteen
Someone’s built a candy house
To house her in
Someone’s built a candy castle
For my sweet sixteen
Someone’s built a candy house
To house her in
Lyrics Sweet Sixteen by Billy Idol Alternate
I will do anything
For my sweet sixteen year old
And I’ll do anything
For the runaway baby
I gave my beloved an engagement ring
She accepted everything
Everything I gave her
Oh sweet sixteen year old
I created the moon
For rocking chair
I couldn’t imagine
That she’ll rock it far from here
Oh oh oh oh
Someone built a palace of sweets
For my sweet sixteen year old
Someone seduced her with sweets
And messed up my brain
Well, memories will incinerate you
Memories grow old like people
They just get cold
Like a sweet sixteen year old
Oh, I can clearly see
Baby what are you
You are here
Oh oh oh oh
Someone built a palace of sweets
For my sweet sixteen year old
Someone built a palace of sweets
For her to live in it
Someone built a palace of sweets
For my sweet sixteen year old
Someone seduced her with sweets
And messed up my brain
Yes, I’m in sadness, loneliness and longing
Yes, I miss you
Do you have any idea what it’s like…
Get up in the morning, try to forget you?
Trying to forget you every morning
Wipe your tears, try to forget you
Forget, forget…
My sweet sixteen year old
Oh runaway baby
Oh sweet sixteen year old
Little runaway girl
I gave my beloved an engagement ring,
And she left everything
Everything that gave her
Sweet sixteen year old
I created the moon
For rocking chair
I couldn’t imagine
That she’ll rock it far from here
Someone built a palace of sweets
For my sweet sixteen year old
Someone built a palace of sweets
For her to live in it
Someone built a palace of sweets
For my sweet sixteen year old
Someone built a palace of sweets
For her to live in it
