Mink DeVille (formed 1974; split 1986) was an American rock band that forme… Read Full Bio ↴Mink DeVille (formed 1974; split 1986) was an American rock band that formed in San Francisco but is best known for its association with early punk bands at New York’s CBGB nightclub and also for being a showcase for the eclectic music of Willy DeVille. The band recorded six albums during the years 1977 to 1985, reaching their peak of mainstream success with their lively 1977 single "Spanish Stroll".

Except for frontman Willy DeVille, the original members of the band played only on the first two albums ('Cabretta' and 'Return to Magenta'). For the remaining albums and for tours, Willy DeVille assembled musicians to play under the name Mink DeVille. After 1985, when Willy DeVille began recording and touring under his own name (saying that he felt tired of being referred to as 'Mink' after performances), his backup bands were sometimes called 'The Mink DeVille Band,' an allusion to the earlier 'Mink DeVille' group.

You Better Move On
Mink DeVille Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You ask me to give up the hand of the girl I love
You tell me, I'm not the man she's worthy of
But who are you..... to tell her who to love?
That's up to her, yes and the lord above
You better move on

Well I know you can buy her fancy clothes and diamond rings
But I believe she's happy with me without those things

Still you beg me to set her free
But my friend, that will never be
You better move on

I can't blame you for loving her
But can't you understand, man, she's my girl
And I, I, I, I never gonna let her go
'Cause I, I, I, I, I, I love her so

I think you better go now, I'm getting mighty mad
You ask me to give up the only love I've ever had
Maybe I would, oh, but I love her so
I'm never gonna let her go
So, You better move on

You better move on

You better move on

You better move on

Overall Meaning

The song "You Better Move On" by Mink DeVille is a classic depiction of a confrontation between two men fighting over the same woman. The singer is defiantly refusing to give up his girl, even as the other man tries to convince him that he is not good enough for her. The confrontation reaches its peak as the singer becomes increasingly angry and defensive, ultimately insisting that the other man leave him alone and move on.

What is interesting about this song is the way that it taps into some universal themes of love and jealousy. The singer's fierce loyalty to his girl, even in the face of pressure from another man, speaks to the power of love and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. At the same time, the song also delves into the darker side of love, as the singer's anger and possessiveness hint at deeper feelings of insecurity and fear of losing the one he loves.

Ultimately, "You Better Move On" is a powerful anthem of love and defiance, and it stands as one of the most memorable rock songs of its era.

Line by Line Meaning

You ask me to give up the hand of the girl I love
You're asking me to give up the woman I love

You tell me, I'm not the man she's worthy of
You believe I'm not worthy of her

But who are you..... to tell her who to love?
Who are you to decide who she should love?

That's up to her, yes and the lord above
Only she and God can decide who she should love

You better move on
Leave us alone and move on

Well I know you can buy her fancy clothes and diamond rings
I know you can give her material things

But I believe she's happy with me without those things
But I believe she's happy with me, without those things

Still you beg me to set her free
You're still pleading with me to let her go

But my friend, that will never be
But that will never happen

I can't blame you for loving her
I don't blame you for loving her