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.
One Love
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
You're the most, baby,
You set my soul on fire
Ever since I met you, honey
I had to get you,
You have been my one desire
How could I help but love you
You send cold chills down my spine
If we would ever part,
It wouldn't be your fault, yeah,
It would be all mine
If you would ever leave me, honey,
It sure would grieve me, baby,
It would break my heart
But I won't let that worry me,
This love will always be,
It was meant right from the start
How could I help but love you,
With a love so true,
You send cold chills down my spine
If we would ever part,
It wouldn't be your fault, yeah,
It would be all mine
When you hold me close, honey,
You're the most, baby,
You set my soul on fire
Ever since I met you, honey,
I had to get you,
You have been my one desire
How could I help but love you,
With a love so so true,
You send cold chills down my spine
If we would ever part
,
It wouldn't be your fault, no,
It would be all mine
The lyrics of How Could I Help but Love You express the singer's passionate love for their partner. The use of honey and baby as terms of endearment show the depth of affection they feel for their loved one. The opening line, "When you hold me close, honey, you're the most, baby," sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The singer feels that their soul is set on fire when they are with their partner. They feel that they had to get their partner since they met them and that they have become their one desire. The depth of their love for their partner is so strong that they cannot help but love them truly.
The lyrics also reveal the fear of the loss of their partner. If they were to ever part, the singer believes that it would be their own fault and not their partner's. The final line, "It would be all mine," expresses their culpability and ownership of the relationship.
Overall, the song expresses a passionate love for a partner and the fear of losing them. It conveys the depth of love that can take hold of a person and fill their entire soul.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mdander817
My 20 year old son passed away in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago. I was looking for amazing grace for his funeral online, and after 20 different artists had sung, this song by this man filled my empty soul. I played it at his funeral and people wanted to know who had sung that song. Aaron Neville filled that room with that sweet voice and everyone rejoiced. I played that song at least once a day for the next three years. It guided me through my grief and filled my heart with love. He is a gift from god.
@marshabarnes4142
God bless you
@Li_ana351
May he rest in peace ♡ my late condoleances
@hswafqwerty1246
my condoleances
@BB-xk9vs
My heart goes out to you....Prayers.
@joshua__oshua2371
So sorry for your loss .
@lisastewart9303
Love you! Aaron Neville. I was supposed to be there Suwannee County Spirit of the Suwannee. My daughter told me you sang my all time gospel song “ Amazing Grace “. Thank you, I love you, just knowing you made my presence felt meant more than you will ever know! Thank you!!
@journeydodge5812
Still listening in 2023.
@virginiabobian8230
I love this man. I pray for him.
@jerryturner3997
Brother's in arms! 🇺🇸- Amazing Grace...Thank you JESUS, Glory to GOD!...✝️....