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.
Tell It Like It Is
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go and find yourself a toy
Baby, my time is too expensive
And I'm not a little boy
If you are serious
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
But if you want me to love you
Tell it like it is
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
But I know deep down inside of me
I believe you love me, forget your foolish pride
Life is too short to have sorrow
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
You might as well get what you want
So go on and live, baby, go on and live
Tell it like it is
I'm nothing to play with, go and find yourself a toy
But I tell it like it is
My time is too expensive
And I'm not your little boy
Mmm, tell it like it is
The Neville Brothers's song Tell It Like It Is is about a man who is tired of playing games in a relationship. He tells his lover that if she wants something to play with, she needs to go find a toy, because he is not a little boy anymore. He warns her that if she is not serious and continues to play with his heart, it will make him angry. However, if she truly loves him, he will love her back. The chorus emphasizes the importance of being honest and true in a relationship and encourages the woman to let her conscience guide her instead of her foolish pride. The song also reminds us that life is too short to waste on sorrow, and that we should go after what we want and live life to the fullest.
Overall, the song captures the struggles of modern relationships where people can sometimes be guarded and unwilling to be vulnerable. The chorus reminds us that being honest and genuine with ourselves and our partners is the key to a successful partnership.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want something to play with
If you are not serious about a real relationship and just want to play around, then find someone else.
Go and find yourself a toy
Go find someone who is willing to play games with you and not take things seriously.
Baby, my time is too expensive
I value my time and don't want to waste it on someone who is not serious about a relationship.
And I'm not a little boy
I'm not someone who can be played with or manipulated easily, I'm a grown man.
If you are serious
If you truly want a real relationship and are committed to making it work.
Don't play with my heart, it makes me furious
Don't mess with my emotions, it angers me and hurts me deeply.
But if want me to love you
If you are willing to be serious and committed to me, I am willing to return your love.
Then, baby, I will, girl, you know I will
I am willing to love you if you are serious and committed to me, you know that.
Tell it like it is
Be honest with me and tell me the truth about your feelings and intentions.
Don't be ashamed to let your conscience be your guide
Don't feel embarrassed or guilty about expressing your true feelings and desires.
But I-I-I-I-I know deep down inside of me
Despite any doubts or fears I may have, I know that you truly love me.
I believe you love me, forget your foolish pride
I trust that you have genuine feelings for me, so don't let your pride or ego get in the way of admitting it.
Life is too short to have sorrow
Life is too brief to waste time feeling sad or regretful.
You may be here today and gone tomorrow
Life is unpredictable, so we should not take our time together for granted.
You might as well get what you want
You shouldn't hold back from pursuing what you truly desire and deserve in life.
So go on and live, baby, go on and live
Don't be afraid to live your life to the fullest and go after what you want.
I'm nothing to play with, go and find yourself a toy
I'm not someone who wants to play games or waste time on someone who is not serious about a real relationship.
My time is too expensive
I value my time and don't want to waste it on someone who is not serious about a relationship.
And I'm not your little boy, mmm tell it like it is
I'm a grown man who wants a real and committed relationship, so be honest with me and tell me how you truly feel.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ZELLS MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group
Written by: George Davis, Lee Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rozenax Sax
This was Aarons first recording in 1966 and put him on the map because it was a hit. I've loved him and his brothers ever since. This is greatness beyond measure.
hattie hawkins
Mercy mercy, that's my man.💋♥️😊
isidro enriquez
How old r u g
Eileen Ducote
For a long time Art was the man. Once Aaron hit the radio, his voice took over...
Kate Bates
I remember dancing to this, it's still so sexy 😍and I love it
flomurdock
No, Aaron's 1960 song was Over You. This one didn't come along t il the mid 60s.
TL
This song came up on my Spotify playlist and I was mesmerized. What a voice! I actually think that The Weeknd could cover this one.
Hana Rosé OFFICIAL
Same thing happened to me today!!
Donna Strachan
I saw Arthell Neville and that song just popped in my memory. Remembering Aaron's unique voice I googled the song and I'm here listening. "Take me back". Loved the song when I was a young girl and I still do!
Citizen Diez
Abel could lace this track.