The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art (1937-2019), Charles (1938β2018), Aaron (b. 1941), and Cyril (b. 1948) got together to take part in the recording session of The Wild Tchoupitoulas, a Mardi Gras Indian group led by the Nevilles' uncle, George Landry ("Big Chief Jolly").
Art Neville reached out to Paul Howrilla (personal manager for Dr. John) and told him that he always wanted to do something with his brothers. Paul Howrilla created Neville Productions, Inc., serving as president and CEO with all four Neville brothers as members of the board of directors. The newly formed business covered the entire Neville family, designed to protect them from the music business abuse they had previously endured in their individual careers.
This experience led them to form the group the following year. Their debut album was released from Capitol Records in 1978.
In 1988, the group released Uptown from EMI featuring guests including Branford Marsalis, Keith Richards, and Carlos Santana. The following year saw the release of Yellow Moon from A&M Records produced by Daniel Lanois. The track "Healing Chant" from that album won best pop instrumental performance of the Grammy Awards.
In 1990, the Neville Brothers contributed "In the Still of the Night" to the AIDS benefit album Red Hot + Blue produced by the Red Hot Organization. Also in 1990, they appeared on the bill at that year's Glastonbury Festival. This also was the year they recorded "Sons and Daughters" on their Brother's Keeper album.
Their version of "Bird on the Wire" was played over the closing credits of the 1990 film, Bird on a Wire.
Due to the health problems of Art Neville, the band kept a low profile in the late 1990s onto the early 2000s. They made a comeback in 2004, however, with the album, Walkin' In The Shadow Of Life, from Back Porch Records, their first newly recorded effort in five years.
All brothers except Charles, a Massachusetts resident, had been living in New Orleans, but following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Cyril and Aaron moved out of the city. They had not been performing in New Orleans since Katrina hit the city, however, they finally returned to perform there at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2008, being given the closing spot which had been reserved for them for years.
Infrequently, Ivan Neville, Aaron's son (keyboards) and Ian Neville, Art's son (electric guitar), both of the band Dumpstaphunk, have played with the band in recent years.
The group formally disbanded in 2012 but reunited in 2015 for a farewell concert in New Orleans.
Charles Neville died of pancreatic cancer on April 26, 2018, at the age of 79.
Art Neville died at age 81 on July 22, 2019, after years of declining health.
Fire On The Bayou
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fire on the bayou, fire on the bayou
Down in New Orleans in Lucky's din
He wouldn't deal y'all for a 5th of gin
One dude wanted a bottle of wine
Hit that dude, yes, he did up for a dollar and a dime
Take a little toke on your smoke
Buy yourself a bottle of wine
Cool, cool wine going down your throat
Don't try and tell me don't make you feel fine
Fire on the bayou, fire on the bayou
I got a nickel now, you got a dime
Let's get together and have a good time
Goin' to buy a fifth, going to buy a joint
When you gettin' down now, you doin' things right
I got swamp water runnin' through my veins
The Mississippi river can't be tamed
I pole my pirogue in the middle of the night
I'm an uptown ruler, I can do it right
"Fire on the Bayou" by The Neville Brothers is an upbeat and rhythmic song that encapsulates the spirit of New Orleans. The repeated refrain "fire on the bayou" creates a sense of excitement and energy. The song is all about having a good time and enjoying life to the fullest, even in the face of adversity.
The lyrics tell a story of a group of friends who are out to have a good time. They go to Lucky's din in New Orleans, looking to buy some alcohol. However, Lucky refuses to sell them a fifth of gin. One of the friends then hits another guy and steals his bottle of wine for a dollar and a dime. Despite the chaotic situation, everyone is having a great time, smoking and drinking and enjoying themselves.
The song celebrates the joie de vivre that is so characteristic of New Orleans. It is a city that has faced many challenges over the years, including natural disasters and political corruption, yet its people always find a way to celebrate life. "Fire on the Bayou" captures this spirit of resilience and determination, reminding listeners that it is always possible to find joy and hope, even in the midst of darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire on the bayou, fire on the bayou
The heat of rebellion and revolution is spreading in the community
Down in New Orleans in Lucky's din
At a diner belonging to a man named Lucky located in New Orleans
He wouldn't deal y'all for a 5th of gin
Lucky wouldn't sell a 5th of gin to anybody present there
One dude wanted a bottle of wine
A person there requested a bottle of wine
Hit that dude, yes, he did up for a dollar and a dime
Lucky punched that person, extorting a dollar and a dime from him
Take a little toke on your smoke
Inhale some smoke from your cigarette or joint
Buy yourself a bottle of wine
Purchase a bottle of wine for yourself
Cool, cool wine going down your throat
Enjoy the smooth sensation of wine being swallowed
Don't try and tell me don't make you feel fine
It's indefensible to deny the pleasure of drinking wine
I got a nickel now, you got a dime
I have a small amount of money and you have more
Let's get together and have a good time
Let's unite and have a pleasurable experience
Goin' to buy a fifth, going to buy a joint
Going to purchase liquor and marijuana
When you gettin' down now, you doin' things right
When you're involved in these activities, you know you're experiencing life to the fullest
I got swamp water runnin' through my veins
The muddy swamps of Louisiana are a part of my essence and identity
The Mississippi river can't be tamed
The great Mississippi River is too powerful to be controlled or contained
I pole my pirogue in the middle of the night
I navigate a flat-bottomed boat in the dark
I'm an uptown ruler, I can do it right
I am a leader in the city, and I know how to get things done properly
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: ARTHUR L. NEVILLE, CYRIL NEVILLE, GEORGE JOSEPH PORTER, JOSEPH MODELISTE, LEO NOCENTELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Megan Russell
Rest in peace to Art and Charles, and thanks for the music.β€ Cyril is one of my all time favorite vocalists...Neville Brothers one of a kind. I lived in NOLA during Katrina, and now watching Ida approach...I am praying for the city and musicians and culture I will always love ππΆπBe safe Y'all.
β€β€β€
E Lin
One of the best bands of all time.
Chris Wyckoff
R.I.P. Art "Red" Neville. The genius who wrote this song and changed the sound of music forever.
VelvetBulldozer
What a well synced band, a kind of a small orchestra, in tune and on the ONE every time! Those voices! Yo Phonky bros!
MAKE MY DAY
RIP Charles Neville.. LOVE your playing..!!
Ernest Circus
JUST FABULOUS ! NO ONE CAN COMPARE TO NEVILLE BROTHERS ON STAGE
Ernest Circus
Talkin Bout Nawlins Yes. I know. But Art, Cyril and sometime Charles Neville are in the Meters. And George Porter Junior have played with The Neville Brothers. That's why I'm saying Meters = Neville Brothers
Ernest Circus
Talkin Bout Nawlins Yes of course. Meters were Neville Brothers.
Rachel Grenadier
RIP, Charles. Thanks for all the great music!
Theresa Dunham
Brothers who stand together!!