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.
Until We Meet Again
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
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It's something I could never say to you
Even though you tell me, tell me you are leaving
My heart can't believe it's true, oh no, oh no
I'll just say until we meet again
I'll just say until we meet again
The loving looks that we once knew
Babe, your eyes began to feel like they'll start crying
My memories will see me through, see me through
I'll just say until we meet again
I'll just say until we meet again
Although you leave my arms you'll never leave my soul
The love that I have for you within never grow cool
'Cause in the morning light and in the dark of night
Your fire will always burn in my soul
I'll just say until we meet again
Oh, darlin' I, I'll just say until we meet again
Oh, my love for you will never never grow cold
No, my love for you will never leave my soul
I'll just say until we meet again
Oh, I'll just say until we meet again
I'll just say until we meet again
I'll just say until we meet again
The Neville Brothers song 'Until We Meet Again' talks of an impending departure of a lover and how the singer's heart is finding it hard to believe the person is actually leaving. He expresses his love and devotion, reminiscing on the past memories and how it has made him who he is today. He simply cannot say the goodbye that is expected, and instead chooses to say "Until We Meet Again," as that has a more optimistic ring to it.
The singer talks about how the love that he has within him for his partner will never grow cold, even though the person might be leaving his arms, they will never leave his soul. The love they share is going to burn like a fire in both their souls, in the morning and in the dark of night. The song implies that even though the couple may separate, the love will keep their bond intact, and they will meet again someday.
This song can be interpreted in two ways - one that is romantic, relatable to any relationship between two lovers. The other way to look at it is a more spiritual one - the idea that the singer is expressing his feelings towards a loved one who has passed away. No matter how this song is deciphered, the messages are clear - love lasts forever, and goodbyes are never easy.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye is not a lover's word
Parting ways is not how true lovers would bid farewell
It's something I could never say to you
I could never bring myself to utter those words to you
Even though you tell me, tell me you are leaving
Although you inform me of your departure
My heart can't believe it's true, oh no, oh no
My heart cannot fathom such news, it refuses to accept it
I'll just say until we meet again
Instead, I will simply say 'Until we reunite'
I remember all the things we shared
I recall all the moments that we experienced together
The loving looks that we once knew
The affectionate gazes that we exchanged before
Babe, your eyes began to feel like they'll start crying
Dearest, your eyes seemed like they were about to shed tears
My memories will see me through, see me through
However, my reminiscences will help me persevere
Although you leave my arms you'll never leave my soul
Even though you depart my embrace, you will forever remain in my heart
The love that I have for you within never grow cool
My ardor for you will never diminish or fade
'Cause in the morning light and in the dark of night
For whether it's daylight or nighttime
Your fire will always burn in my soul
The passion we shared will forever dwell within my being
Oh, darlin' I, I'll just say until we meet again
My dearest, I will continue to say 'Until we reunite'
Oh, my love for you will never never grow cold
My love for you will always remain fervent
No, my love for you will never leave my soul
It will forever dwell within me
I'll just say until we meet again
I will simply say 'Until we reunite'
I'll just say until we meet again
I will continue to say 'Until we reunite'
I'll just say until we meet again
I will persist in saying 'Until we reunite'
I'll just say until we meet again
I will repeatedly say 'Until we reunite'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES NEVILLE, KATHLEEN KOBRIN, SAYA SAITO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind