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.
Use Me
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They keep trying to tell me all you want to do is use me
But my answer yeah to all that use me stuff
Is I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
My brother sit me right down and he talked to me
And I'm sure he meant well yeah but when our talk was through
I said brother if you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
Oh sometimes yeah it's true you really do abuse me
You get in a crowd of high class people and then you act real rude to me
But oh baby baby baby baby when you love me I can't get enough
I and I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
Talking about you using me but it all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're using me
'Cause I sure am using you to do the things you do
Ah ha to do the things you do
The Neville Brothers's song Use Me is a soulful and honest confession of a man who is aware that he is being taken advantage of by his lover. He knows that his friends and family warn him about his lover's true intentions, and even his brother advises him to stand up for himself. However, the singer's response to their warnings is that he enjoys being used by his lover as long as it feels good. In fact, he wants to spread the news that he is willing to be used until he is all used up. He acknowledges that his lover sometimes abuses him, especially in front of people of high status, but when she loves him, he cannot get enough of it. The song's repeated refrain establishes that the singer wants his lover to keep using him until there is nothing left to use.
The song's meaning comes from the fact that people often find themselves in relationships in which their partners do not treat them with respect or equality. Many people who are being used do so because they believe that the relationship is worth it, despite the pain and suffering they may be subjected to. The song also speaks about the power dynamic between the two lovers, wherein one has the upper hand and can use the other as they please. The singer understands the dynamics of their relationship and is willing to be a pawn in his lover's game, as long as he gets something in return. The song is a testament to the complexity of human relationships, and how love can cloud one's judgment of what is right or wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends feel it's their appointed duty
My friends think it's their responsibility to warn me
They keep trying to tell me all you want to do is use me
They keep saying that you're only interested in exploiting me
But my answer yeah to all that use me stuff
But my response to their warnings is that I actually enjoy being used
Is I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
I want to share the message that being used can actually feel good
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
You can keep using me until I can't take any more
My brother sit me right down and he talked to me
My brother sat me down to have a serious conversation
He told me that I ought not to let you just walk on me
He warned me not to let you take advantage of me
And I'm sure he meant well yeah but when our talk was through
I know he had good intentions, but I didn't change my mind
I said brother if you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
I challenged my brother's perspective and suggested he'd change his mind if he were me
Oh sometimes yeah it's true you really do abuse me
It's true that sometimes you mistreat me
You get in a crowd of high class people and then you act real rude to me
When you're around wealthy people, you sometimes treat me poorly
But oh baby baby baby baby when you love me I can't get enough
But when you show me affection, I can't resist you
Talking about you using me but it all depends on what you do
You may be using me, but it depends on how you treat me
It ain't too bad the way you're using me
I don't mind being used the way you use me
'Cause I sure am using you to do the things you do
I'm also taking advantage of you for the things you offer me
Ah ha to do the things you do
Yes, I'm using you for your actions and behavior
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES E. INGRAM, BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jasmine Reese
No need to compare the two, Bill did the original and will always be respected as a great artists and writer. Aaron Neville is one of the great soul voices of all time and did an Honorable job, so lets just enjoy them both..
DaisyLee1963
I think we're all lucky to have both Bill and Aaron's versions to hear and love.
RT 66 Logistics
Well said. 😎
Richard
I have had the privilege to have seen Aron Neville on 4 occasions and he is truly one of the best if not the best act in the world. What a smooth track from the master! !!
MrImpulse101
Did he ever play the song live?
Beverley Blakeney
Thank you for your beautiful gift
jeremiah liberator
This man's voice is surely angelic, I could listen all day long. I love you Aaron,, please, please NEVER stop singing. Divine
Julie Lea
This song should be re-released.... I can see it doing well, for sure on the R&B charts I think it's a #1 Mainstream
Bano Kapino
This is Amazing! .....how could someone Dislike this?!!!
stevekap8
I like the original soon much... but this works. Great voice, and interesting arrangement.