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.
The Greatest Love
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the fine things heaven only knows that I wish I could
You have a love that dances and sings
Swings, says all the pretty little things that a playboy should
Well, he's got money, he's got charms
And when you're walkin' on and on
It hurts me so, but I just want you to know
That it's not easy, oh, heaven knows I tried
And wish the best to you, push myself aside
And that's the greatest love, oh, that you'll ever find
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
You have a love, he's got the power
To entertain each and every hour of the day and night
You have a love, he's got the ways and means
To show you all the wild scenes when the lights are bright
Well, love should never be possessed
And this my darlin', don't forget
You're free to go, oh, but I just want you to know
That it's not easy, oh, heaven knows I tried
And I wish the best to you and I push myself aside
That's the greatest love, oh, that you'll ever find
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Well, love should never be possessed
And this my darlin', don't forget
You're free to go, oh, but I just want you to know
That it's not easy, oh, heaven knows I tried
And I wish the best to you, push myself aside
That's the greatest love, oh, that you'll ever find
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
The Neville Brothers' song "The Greatest Love" is a ballad about unrequited love. The singer is in love with a woman who is with another man. The lyrics describe the things that the man she is with can give her that the singer cannot, such as material possessions and an exciting lifestyle. However, the singer acknowledges that he cannot possess the woman he loves and that she is free to go. He wishes her the best and admits that his love for her is the greatest love she will ever find.
The lyrics convey a sense of longing and heartbreak. The singer is clearly in pain over his unrequited love and feels powerless to change the situation. At the same time, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance that the woman he loves has chosen someone else. Despite his pain, he wishes her well and acknowledges that the man she is with can offer her things that he cannot.
One interesting aspect of the song is the blending of different genres, including soul, R&B, and gospel. This reflects the Neville Brothers' diverse musical influences and their status as one of the most important groups in New Orleans music. Additionally, the song features a prominent saxophone solo, which adds to the emotional intensity of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
You have a love that buys you pretty clothes
You have a partner who provides you with expensive clothes.
All the fine things heaven only knows that I wish I could
Your partner gives you luxury beyond measure, something I cannot compare to.
You have a love that dances and sings
Your partner is energetic and loves to sing and dance.
Swings, says all the pretty little things that a playboy should
Your partner is flirtatious and says all the charming words to woo you.
Well, he's got money, he's got charms
Your partner has wealth and charisma that I don't possess.
And when you're walkin' on and on
Whenever you're out and about,
It hurts me so, but I just want you to know
It pains me, but I want to tell you-
That it's not easy, oh, heaven knows I tried
It's difficult to let go, and I've done everything I could.
And wish the best to you, push myself aside
I want the best for you, even if it means putting my own feelings aside.
And that's the greatest love, oh, that you'll ever find
That sacrifice, that selflessness, is the truest form of love.
You have a love, he's got the power
Your partner has the ability to captivate you.
To entertain each and every hour of the day and night
To keep you engaged and entertained non-stop.
You have a love, he's got the ways and means
Your partner has various methods and resources to show you pleasure.
To show you all the wild scenes when the lights are bright
To take you to places where you can experience excitement when the environment is vibrant.
Well, love should never be possessed
One shouldn't own or control love.
And this my darlin', don't forget
My love, always remember
You're free to go, oh, but I just want you to know
You have the freedom to leave, but I just need to tell you-
That it's not easy, oh, heaven knows I tried
It's hard for me to let go, I've really done my best.
And I wish the best to you and I push myself aside
I want the best for you and disregard my own feelings.
That's the greatest love, oh, that you'll ever find
That kind of love, that unselfish act, is the most exceptional affection you'll encounter.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind