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.
Junk Man
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The whole world knows you're happy without me
You've broken my heart, So what do I care?
I'm thru with love, no more will I need it
The word itself, I'll never repeat it
A sign on my back I will wear, "This is my last love affair"
I gave my heart to you, the one that I trusted
So I sold my heart to the junkman
And I'll never fall in love again
You took my heart because you thought you could use it
Just like a little toy you battered and bruised it
So I sold my heart to the junkman
And I'll never fall in love again
Like a melodrama, in a simple manner
Love played the leading part
We had planned a happy ending
But I'm left with a broken heart
I'll throw away my pride and say we'll be friends, dear
Tear drops I cannot hide for this is the end, dear
I've sold my heart to the junkman
And I'll never fall in love again
I gave my heart to you, the one that I trusted
You brought it back to me all broken and busted
So I sold my heart to the junkman
And I'll never fall in love again
You took my heart because you thought you could use it
Just like a little toy you battered and bruised it,
So I sold my heart to the junkman
And I'll never fall in love again
Like a melodrama, in a simple manner
Love played the leading part
We had planned a happy ending
But I'm left with a broken heart
I'll throw away my pride and say we'll be friends, dear
Tear drops I cannot hide for this is the end, dear
I've sold my heart to the junkman
The Neville Brothers' song "Junk Man" tells a story about a man who has been hurt by his lover and has given up on love. He sings about how the town is talking about him and knows that his former lover is happy without him. He has been heartbroken, but he has decided that he no longer wants love in his life. The man declares that he's "thru with love," and he wears a sign on his back that says "This is my last love affair." He has also sold his heart to the junkman and will never fall in love again.
The lyrics describe how the singer gave his heart to someone he trusted, only to have it returned to him broken and battered. He compares his heart to a little toy that his former lover thought she could use and abuse. He decides to sell his heart to the junkman, so he will never be hurt again. The song ends with the singer declaring that he will never fall in love again and throwing away his pride to be friends with his lost love.
The song "Junk Man" is a powerful commentary on the pain of lost love and the struggle to move on from heartbreak. The simple melody and lyrics allow for the listener to connect with the song emotionally, and the message resonates with anyone who has been in a similar situation. Overall, this song is a great example of how music can convey powerful emotions and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
All over town they're talking about me
Everyone is gossiping about me.
The whole world knows you're happy without me
It's common knowledge that you're doing well without me.
You've broken my heart, So what do I care?
You hurt me, but now I'm indifferent and don't care.
I'm thru with love, no more will I need it
I'm done with love and don't want it anymore.
The word itself, I'll never repeat it
I don't even want to say the word 'love' anymore.
A sign on my back I will wear, 'This is my last love affair'
I want everyone to know that I'm done with love and won't be in another relationship.
I gave my heart to you, the one that I trusted
I trusted you with my heart and emotions.
You brought it back to me all broken and busted
You returned it damaged and destroyed.
So I sold my heart to the junkman
I gave up on love completely and discarded my heart.
And I'll never fall in love again
I've given up on love and won't let myself get hurt again.
You took my heart because you thought you could use it
You used me for your own benefit and took advantage of my feelings.
Just like a little toy you battered and bruised it
You treated my heart like a disposable object and caused it harm.
Like a melodrama, in a simple manner
Our relationship was like a dramatic story, but it ended without much fanfare.
Love played the leading part
Love was the main element in our relationship.
We had planned a happy ending
We had hoped for a positive conclusion to our relationship.
But I'm left with a broken heart
Unfortunately, the ending was far from happy and left me with emotional pain.
I'll throw away my pride and say we'll be friends, dear
I'm willing to put aside my pride and try to maintain a friendship with you.
Tear drops I cannot hide for this is the end, dear
I can't stop myself from crying because this is truly the end of our romantic relationship.
I've sold my heart to the junkman
I've given up on love and discarded my heart completely.
And I'll never fall in love again
I've given up on love and am certain I won't let myself get hurt in that way again.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRANK LOESSER, JOSEPH MEYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Megan Russell
😭 miss them so much. Lived in NOLA for many years, Neville's at jazzfest 🎶 love them all so much. RIP Charles and Art. 💜
Cyril Neville is the most incredible vocalist, way too underappreciated!!! Soulful and visionary!
Donnie Lee
Awesome
paul simmons
ya cant not get ya funk on listening to these guys,hell yeah
Donnie Lee
Damn this is the epitome of funk creole
Donnie Lee
Damn paint the picture Neville's