Welcome to Music Friday, when we celebrate songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today we turn back the clock to Dean Martin's heartfelt 1965 recording of "Wedding Bells," a classic country ballad in which one small piece of jewelry carries the weight of a broken dream.
The jewelry reference arrives near the emotional peak of the song. Martin's narrator recalls that before his sweetheart left him, he had already purchased "a little band of gold" and dreamed of slipping it onto her finger. The simple wedding band symbolizes everything he imagined for their future — a home together, a life in the country and a lasting marriage. But those dreams vanish when an invitation arrives announcing that she's marrying someone else.
Heartbroken, he can't bear the thought of attending the ceremony. Instead, he mourns the life that might have been, lamenting that wedding bells will ring for another man while his own future suddenly feels "dark and cold."
Penned by Claude Boone, "Wedding Bells" was first made famous by country legend Hank Williams, whose 1949 recording became one of the year's biggest country hits. Over the decades, the poignant tune has been interpreted by a remarkable lineup of artists, including Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Bill Anderson, Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell and, of course, Dean Martin.
Martin recorded the song for his 1965 album Dean Martin Hits Again, bringing his trademark smooth, easygoing vocal style to a song filled with quiet heartbreak.
Born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, OH, Martin spoke only Italian until he entered school at age five. Before finding fame, he worked an astonishing variety of jobs, including steel mill laborer, bootleg liquor runner, blackjack dealer and amateur welterweight boxer competing under the name “Kid Crochet.” He began singing in local Ohio nightclubs before catching the attention of bandleader Sammy Watkins, who suggested the stage name Dean Martin and helped launch his professional career.
Martin’s prospects soared after he teamed with comedian Jerry Lewis in 1946. Their wildly successful nightclub act led to radio, television and 16 feature films before the duo amicably parted ways in 1956. Martin then enjoyed enormous success as both a solo recording artist and Hollywood leading man, starring in dozens of films while scoring enduring hits, such as “That’s Amore,” “Memories Are Made of This,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” “Return to Me,” “Volare,” “You’re Nobody ’til Somebody Loves You” and “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?”
Among his many honors were a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Academy of Country Music’s Man of the Year award. Martin passed away on Christmas Day 1995 at the age of 78. A year later, his hometown honored its favorite son by renaming a stretch of Ohio Route 7 Dean Martin Boulevard.
Please check out the audio track of Martin’s cover of “Wedding Bells.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“Wedding Bells”
Written by Claude Boone. Performed by Dean Martin.
(Wedding bells, wedding bells)
I have the invitation that you sent me
You wanted me to see you change your name
I couldn’t stand to see you wed another
But I hope you’re happy just the same
Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
That should be ringing out for you and me
Down the aisle with someone else you’re walkin’
So wedding bells will never ring for me
I planned a little cottage in the valley
I even bought a little band of gold
I thought someday I’d place it on your finger
But now the future looks so dark and cold
Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
That should be ringing out for you and me
Down the aisle with someone else you’re walkin’
So wedding bells will never ring for me
So wedding bells will never ring for me
(Wedding bells)
Credit: Photo (cropped) by MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
