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.
Hércules
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Check our your own back yard before you check out someone else
Railroad track, in my neighborhood
Ain't no trains around that part just ain't no good
Wanna know, what's going down,
When the pimp on the corner looks like the sharpest cat in town
Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Might get caught by the hook of a crook no time for cool
Look out jay, what you say, what you carrying brother
I hope you're clean cause the man is mean, don't come another further
We all know the answer, will come out in time
I might even carry some of your load, right along with mine
Thank you ma'am, mister please
â??Cause I must be Hercules
I must be Hercules
Like a bird, on the wing
I just wanna be free enough to do my thing
I can feel the pressure, from every side
If you ain't gonna help, don't hurt, just pass me by
Oh, no
Hercules
I must be Hercules
Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Devil is on the loose, no coo
Got your feet, in the sand
Got to be down with the cats that around and still got the face the man
Talk about me if you please but I must be Hercules
Hercules
I must be Hercules
Duckin' rocks, catchin' stones
Movin' how can I survive what's going on
Big steely borrow
Somehow I've got to make it to tomorrow
Can't depend, on no-one else
Comin' up the hard way I've got to save myself
Must be Hercules
I must be Hercules
Talk about me if you please
I must be hercules
The Neville Brothers's song "Hercules" is a commentary on life in the inner city, the poverty, and danger that comes with it. The song starts with a warning against fear, reminding people that often, fear is your worst enemy. The next line, "check your own backyard before you check out someone else," is a reference to not being judgmental and examining your problems first. The next verse speaks of the railroad tracks, which can be read in two ways - first, it could allude to the segregation and inequality that the railroad tracks represented; second, it could refer to the fact that even in places that were separated from the more affluent parts of town, there is trouble. The chorus, "I must be Hercules," is a statement that the singer must be tough to survive in such an environment.
The following lines continue to warn of the dangers of the inner city - a pimp on the corner can look as sharp as anyone, but that does not mean he is not dangerous. The song uses phrases such as "jungle rule" and "hook of a crook" to further stress the idea that one must be tough to survive. The second verse focuses on pressure from all sides, including violence and poverty, and that it is essential to be free enough to do your thing. Moreover, the song advises people not to hurt others, and the final lines stress that one must be tough and resilient to survive in such an environment.
Line by Line Meaning
All you fear, is fear its self
You only need to fear fear itself.
Check our your own back yard before you check out someone else
Examine and fix your own problems before judging and blaming others.
Railroad track, in my neighborhood
A symbol of something dangerous in the vicinity.
Ain't no trains around that part just ain't no good
Nothing good ever happens in that area.
Wanna know, what's going down,
I want to be informed about what's happening around me.
When the pimp on the corner looks like the sharpest cat in town
When even the most unsavory characters in the community appear slick and powerful.
Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Life is tough and survival requires intelligence and bravery.
Might get caught by the hook of a crook no time for cool
Being too relaxed can lead to harm.
Look out jay, what you say, what you carrying brother
Be cautious and choose your words and actions wisely.
I hope you're clean cause the man is mean, don't come another further
Avoid any risk of crossing the law enforcement.
We all know the answer, will come out in time
Truth reveals itself eventually.
I might even carry some of your load, right along with mine
I'm willing to help in any way I can.
Thank you ma'am, mister please
Showing proper manners and respect.
â??Cause I must be Hercules
I strive to be strong and capable.
Like a bird, on the wing
I want to be free to pursue my goals.
I just wanna be free enough to do my thing
I want to be able to express myself without restrictions.
I can feel the pressure, from every side
I'm aware of the stress of my situation.
If you ain't gonna help, don't hurt, just pass me by
If you can't contribute to my cause, just ignore me.
Hercules
A name symbolizing strength and power.
I must be Hercules
I must be strong and unyielding.
Devil is on the loose, no coo
Evil is pervasive, and we must be wary.
Got your feet, in the sand
Feeling stuck or trapped.
Got to be down with the cats that around and still got the face the man
We must align with others who share our struggle while still confronting authority.
Talk about me if you please but I must be Hercules
You can discuss me if you want, but I'm determined to be strong and capable.
Duckin' rocks, catchin' stones
Trying to avoid being hit by life's struggles.
Movin' how can I survive what's going on
I must keep moving forward to stay alive and overcome obstacles.
Somehow I've got to make it to tomorrow
I need to survive until the next day.
Can't depend, on no-one else
I can't count on others to help me.
Comin' up the hard way I've got to save myself
I've had to learn how to survive through difficult experiences.
Must be Hercules
I must embody strength and power.
Talk about me if you please
Feel free to gossip about me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allen Toussaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeanbaila4417
All you fear, is fear its self
Check our your own back yard before you check out someone else
Railroad track, in my neighbourhood
Ain't no trains around that part just ain't no good
Wanna know, what's going down,
When the pimp on the corner looks like the sharpest cat in town
Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Might get caught by the hook of a crook no time for cool
Look out jay, what you say, what you carrying brother
I hope you're clean cause the man is mean, don't come another further
We all know the answer, will come out in time
I might even carry some of your load, right along with mine
Thank you ma'am, mister please
'Cause I must be Hercules
I must be Hercules
Like a bird, on the wing
I just wanna be free enough to do my thing
I can feel the pressure, from every side
If you not gonna help, don't hurt, just pass me by
Oh, no
Hercules
I must be Hercules
Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Devil is on the loose, no coo
Got your feet, in the sand
Got to be down with the cats that
Around and still got the face the man
Talk about me if you please but I must be Hercules
Hercules
I must be Hercules
Duckin' rocks, catchin' stones
Movin' how can I survive what's going on
Beg, steal and borrow
Somehow I've got to make it to tomorrow
Can't depend, on no-one else
Comin' up the hard way I've got to save myself
Must be Hercules
I must be Hercules
Talk about me if you please
I must be hercules
@marce1825
Soy un diseñador de Hip-Hop;amo la fotografía,
me gusta el Jazz,el fútbol, el cine y la poesía...
No me gusta rapear, lo hago por cortesía,
si supiera hacer beats, Little Supa' no existiría.
Juro por la madre mía que haré ritmos, algún día,
será una colección de sonatas y sinfonías,
la definición audible de clase y categoría,
que servirá de fondo musical a algunas orgías.
Samples de Bob Dylan, homenajes a J Dilla,
remezclas de Madzilla con golpes de Little Illa
Para ese entonces ya estaré en Francia o en Argentina;
canoso y con dos hijos de alguna mujer Latina.
Soy un amante del buen gusto,
mujeres de gran busto,bombas y tags, con rusto
he llevado mi música,de New York hasta el Cuzco,
antes eran insultos,ahora me rinden culto.
Hago nada más featurings con los panas,
trabajo fines de semana y cuando me da la gana,
lo hago para cubrir los gastos de mi mamá
y el resto lo dejo para las salidas con las damas.
¡Fuck that!
@wb7ptr
That man has a beautiful voice. I've never met him, but I know several members of his family here in New Orleans. Almost all of them are musicians. Some better known than other. Art, Aaron and Charmaine Neville are the ones I've heard of the most.
@SanjanaRanasingha
Such beautiful info ❤🙏
@lost-4-life323
whoever picks the GTA tunes knows the score. Opened me up to so many genres.
@shakelifeelrico3568
💯
@lost-4-life323
@ShakelifeElrico Hi 👋
@joaquin621
@Broken yup! GTA V to be exact
@bloodyred5551
You better be Caucasian not knowing Aaron Neville 😂😂
@QxQxQxQx
wtf. .Racism detected
@josecepeda8397
That bass line🔥🔥🔥
@jaywad8876
Yes