The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art (1937-2019), Charles (1938–2018), 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.
Going Home
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
All the friends I knew
I'm going home
Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more
Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun
There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home
I'm just going home
Going home, going home
Going home, going home
The Neville Brothers' "Going Home" is a poignant song that refers to the end of life and the afterlife. The lyrics describe a journey to a place that is not far, just close by, where the singer will be reunited with loved ones, including a mother and father. The song emphasizes the idea that death is not an end, but rather a new beginning of a life without pains and sorrows.
The song speaks poetically to the idea of dying and moving into the beyond. The verses are full of imagery that conjures up feelings of warmth, light, companionship, and safety. The lyrics allude to the idea that the afterlife is a place of waiting for us, where we are welcomed by people we once knew and loved. There is an unmistakable joy in the song's tone that belies any fear of death, with the singer claiming that they have no fear, only a peaceful acceptance of what comes after this life.
Overall, the song allows people to reflect on the idea of life after death and alleviates the fear and uncertainty that individuals may be experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
Going home, going home
I'm heading back to a place I love
I'm just going home
It's a simple journey, nothing complicated
Quiet light, some still day
The atmosphere is peaceful and calm
It's not far, just close by
I'm almost there, just around the corner
Through an open door
The way is easy and welcoming
Work all done, care laid by
All the troubles and responsibilities are behind me
Going to fear no more
I don't have to worry about anything anymore
Mother's there expecting me
The person who loves me most is waiting for me
Father's waiting, too
Even my dad, who I haven't seen in a while, is eager to see me
Lots of folk gathered there
A lot of people who care about me are waiting for me too
All the friends I knew
All the people who used to be close to me are gathered there as well
Going home
I'm heading back to a place I belong
Nothing's lost, all's gain
There's nothing more to lose, everything will be a gain from now on
No more fret nor pain
All the worries and pain will be gone
No more stumbling on the way
I won't have to face any more obstacles
No more longing for the day
I won't have to wait for anything anymore
Going to roam no more
I won't have to travel to find what I'm looking for anymore
Morning star lights the way
I'm guided by the brightest start of the day
Restless dream all done
All the restless dreams I had are finally over
Shadows gone, break of day
All the darkness and negativity are gone, a new day is beginning
Real life begun
I'm about to experience what real life is like
There's no break, there's no end
The fun and excitement never stop
Just a living on
I'll keep living my life happily
Wide awake with a smile
I'm fully awakened to a new, joyful reality
Going on and on
I'll keep going, never stopping my endless journey
Going home, going home
I'm heading back to a place I love
I'm just going home
It's a simple journey, nothing complicated
Going home, going home
I'm heading back to a place I love
Going home, going home
I'm heading back to a place I love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALVIN E YOUNG, ANTOINE DOMINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Saoco325
Tears down my eyes, why? Don't know what's a love from father figure, mother just fed me, dressed me and that's about it. Been on my own since 16 to face life as a kid. The world can be a very nasty place. People can be mean folks. Family unity, that's just pipe dream. If I can get a dollar for the time I wish to have a normal life, childhood like anybody else. I be well of. Still all of the above doesn't stop me from been a kind person to others and offer. Songs like this really pot me on the edge. Day dreaming about make a difference on someone life for the better. So they don't have to be like me or go through what have been. I will never wish anyone my life. Is not that bad. I'm ok financially, but that doesn't meant anything to me. Thanks Aron for sharing your talent. You give me joy in your music. Thanks
@vivianvandrey2594
👍🌺🏵️🌸💐💐💐🌷🌼
@phillipswatson3452
😇 AMEN IN CHRIST JESUS 🌷 BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY THANKS FOR SHARING 💞
@vintagebrew1057
When you have had that love and lost it all, is very hard. I miss my parents very much. Good people who passed too soon. I have the Lord to tell my troubles and my joys to . This helps, but I wish my folks were still here. In my mind I imagine I'm "Going Home" and they are there waiting. It will happen one day but not yet.
@thomasfoilefutu
Thank you for loving and caring for all who cross your path. May you find peace and comfort in God❤
@carolynroberts1123
My SON AND DAUGHTER ARE WAITING ON ME TO COME HOME and many more, a GLORIOUS DAY !
@patriciahartless2095
Aaron Neville singed Going Home . This is the first time . I've heard this song . He has a beautiful voice . Thanks for sharing this song . Aaron Neville . The Lord Bless You Always .🙏🎚️🙏
@jillybear6007
It is a beautiful song - my Dad was a big fan of Aaron's and my brother was good friends with Aaron and The Nevilles. We played this song and I Bid You Goodnight at my father's funeral. I miss my Dad every single day too. God bless you!
@philipworl9340
This song by Aaron will be my send off song!
@dobazajr
This song really fits to those parents had passed on and some wonderful people we knew who had gone home too. One day, when our time comes we all going home they will be there to welcome us in open arms.