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.
Voodoo
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, you musta cast a spell
The way I'm loving you girl–
Ain't no tongue can tell
Oh, you musta been burning candles
To make a love so strong
You must sprinkle dust all around my bed
You musta had a black cat bone
Just at a glance–
You know you put me in a trance
When I look into your eyes
How they hypnotized
Oh you musta put voodoo on me,
You musta cast a spell
The way you got me loving you girl
Ain't not tongue can tell
Oh, if I call– on magnolia
Can she break this spell on me
Father black Hawk or Mother Dora.
I wonder could they set me free
Oh you musta put voodoo on me
You musta cast a spell
The way you got me loving you girl
Ain't no tongue can tell
Voodoo Woman
Voodoo Woman
Voodoo Woman
The Neville Brothers’ song “Voodoo” is an enchanting love song that describes the overwhelming and captivating effects of being under a spell or voodoo magic. The song's lyrics suggest that the singer is powerless against the power of love that has been made strong through voodoo magic. The lead singer suggests that he has been bound by the spell of a voodoo woman because he can't explain the intensity of his passion or the depth of his love. He believes that she must have been casting spells, burning candles, and sprinkling dust all around his bed to create such a strong affection. The chorus emphasizes the idea that the love is so intense and overpowering that no words can describe it.
The song also mentions the singer's desire to break the spell of the voodoo woman that has made him vulnerable to her love. He references “Magnolia,” “Father Black Hawk,” and “Mother Dora” as possible sources of breaking the spell. These lines suggest that the character hopes to find someone who can help break the hold of the voodoo spell. However, it is unclear whether the singer wishes to be freed from the spell or to remain trapped in its power.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you must have put voodoo on me.
I feel so strongly for you that it must be the result of a magical spell.
Oh, you musta cast a spell
Your actions must have included a spell to make me feel this way.
The way I'm loving you girl–
The depth and intensity of my feelings for you are indescribable.
Ain't no tongue can tell
Words don't do justice to the way I love you.
Oh, you musta been burning candles
You likely employed a magical ritual involving candles to make me fall for you.
To make a love so strong
This ritual must have been done to create a love that is incredibly powerful.
You must sprinkle dust all around my bed
Another aspect of the magical ritual probably involved sprinkling dust around my bed to affect my feelings.
You musta had a black cat bone
Another magical ingredient that was used may have been a black cat's bone.
Just at a glance–
Even a quick look at you is enough to make me feel spellbound.
You know you put me in a trance
You are responsible for the state of being in which I am helplessly in love with you.
When I look into your eyes
My fascination with you is only strengthened when I gaze into your eyes.
How they hypnotized
Your eyes have a hypnotic effect on me.
Oh you musta put voodoo on me,
Your use of magic on me is undeniable.
You musta cast a spell
You must have used a magical spell to make me fall for you.
The way you got me loving you girl
How strongly I feel about you is a direct result of the magic you used.
Ain't not tongue can tell
Words are not enough to describe the intensity and depth of my feelings for you.
Oh, if I call– on magnolia
If I seek help from the magnolia plant, I wonder if it can break the spell you have put on me.
Can she break this spell on me
I hope the magnolia plant has the power to end the spell you have cast on me.
Father black Hawk or Mother Dora.
I consider turning to figures like Father Black Hawk or Mother Dora to break the spell.
I wonder could they set me free
I am curious if these spiritual figures have the ability to release me from the spell you have put on me.
Voodoo Woman
An unnamed woman is responsible for the use of voodoo magic that has put a spell on me.
Voodoo Woman
The repetition emphasizes the importance of this woman's role in the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RONNIE JAMES DIO, TERRENCE BUTLER, TONY IOMMI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lespaul3d
Oh, you must a put Voodoo on me
Oh, you must a cast a spell
The way I'm loving you girl
Ain't no tongue can tell
Oh you must a been burning candles
Oh to make a love so strong
You must a sprinkled dust all around my bed
You must a had a black cat bone
Just at a glance
You know you put me in a trance
Oh, when I look into your eyes
Girl you have me hypnotized
Oh, you must a put Voodoo on me
Oh, you must a cast a spell
The way you got me loving you girl
Ain't no tongue can tell
Oh, if I call on Magnolia
Could she break this spell on me
Father Black Hawk or Mother Dora
I wonder could they set me free, free
Oh you must a put Voodoo on me
Oh you must a cast a spell
The way you got me loving you girl
Ain't no tongue can tell
Voodoo woman
Voodoo woman
Voodoo woman
Voodoo woman
@123Bookbinder
Had my 50’th birthday in New Orleans and went to the House of Blues where ‘The Royalty’ of that city were performing, and HE sang Ave Maria for ME. What a thrill, doesn’t get a lot better!!!
@briankopp8560
Never heard a bad Neville brothers song. Pure joy in their music.
@tmacart
I had the privilege to play with the late Charles Neville, he lived close by in Huntington, MA. He was a great musician and a kind man. I met and shook Aaron's hand at a gig and told him I loved their music, he thanked me, but it's us who should thank them! Very cool folks.
@tomratcliff3755
I got to hang with him for awhile when he came to Birmingham, you're so right. A class act and a very pleasant man. Treasure the memories
@mettaverses
Props 💯
@ciaransimpson2541
If these lads can play for England then so can I.
@charlespurvis9015
One of the most badass performances ever
@tomratcliff3755
Ah, the memories of a misspent youth. These guys would come on at 11 and play till 3 am!
@KT-px9oj
What a groove!!!!
@spiro7575
Awesome!