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.
Yellow Moon
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
why you keep peeping in my window?
Do you know something I don't know?
Did you see my baby
walking down the railroad tracks?
You can tell me if the girls
ever coming back.
or is she trying to get back home?
Is she wrapped up in some other's arms?
Or is the girl somewhere all alone?
Can you see if she is missing me,
or is she having a real good time?
Has she forgotten all about,
or is the girl still mine all mine?
With your eye so big a shiney
You can see the whole damn land
Yellow moon can you tell me
If the girl's with another man?
Refrain:
Oh yellow moon,
have you seen that creole woman
You can tell me,
Now ain't you a friend of mine.
The Neville Brothers' song "Yellow Moon" is a soulful ballad with a hint of mystery and longing. The singer addresses the yellow moon as if it could provide him with answers about the whereabouts and emotions of his lover. He asks if the moon has seen his lover walking down the railroad tracks, if she is with someone else, or if she is all alone. He has many questions, but no answers. The mood of the song is melancholic with a touch of hope. The singer's desperation to know if his lover is okay and if she will return to him is palpable. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability, fear, and uncertainty that many people experience when they lose someone they love.
The yellow moon serves as a metaphor for the singer's state of mind. The moon is a constant presence in the sky, just as the memory of his lover is a constant presence in his thoughts. He is searching for answers, like the moon's light can pierce through the darkness, hoping that the moon, a friend of his, can guide him back to his lover. Through the lyrics, the singer is expressing a deep sense of loss and longing, as well as a need for connection and reassurance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yellow moon, yellow moon,
The singer addresses the moon, which is shining brightly in the sky and appears to be peering into their window.
why you keep peeping in my window?
The singer is asking the moon why it is looking into their window, wondering if it has some information to share.
Do you know something I don't know?
The singer is inquiring whether the moon has some knowledge that they are unaware of regarding the whereabouts of their lover.
Did you see my baby walking down the railroad tracks?
The artist wants to know if the moon witnessed their lover walking away on the railroad tracks.
You can tell me if the girls ever coming back.
The artist hopes that the moon will reveal if their lover has any intentions of returning.
Is she hid out with another or is she trying to get back home?
The singer is curious if their lover has found refuge with someone else, or if they are making their way back home.
Is she wrapped up in some other's arms? Or is the girl somewhere all alone?
The singer wants to know if their lover has found comfort in the arms of another person, or if they are alone and longing for them.
Can you see if she is missing me, or is she having a real good time?
The artist is asking the moon if their lover is feeling a sense of longing for them, or if they are enjoying their time away.
Has she forgotten all about, or is the girl still mine all mine?
The artist is unsure if their lover still thinks of them and hopes that they are still considered theirs.
With your eye so big a shiney, You can see the whole damn land
The artist believes that the moon has the ability to see everything, and is hopeful it can help them locate their lover.
Yellow moon can you tell me, If the girl's with another man?
The singer is asking the moon if their lover has found another person in their absence.
Oh yellow moon, have you seen that creole woman
The artist is specifically looking for a creole woman and is hoping that the moon has spotted her.
You can tell me, Now ain't you a friend of mine.
The singer believes that the moon could be their ally and is hoping that it will provide them with the information they seek.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON JOSEPH NEVILLE, JOEL ROUX NEVILLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hogancooney2886
RIP Art
I first saw fall 89 with the revived Funky Meters
and then with the Neville Bros Easter Weekend 90 (RIP Charles)
for the following four years in New Orleans schoolin
I was blessed to be able to hear him live scores of times
and his fellow bringer of funk piano beyond
the parish line Dr John (rip)
well it won't be long till we're mournin
the loss of yet another conjurer of
the nola piano lineage
which includes so many masters
Jelly Roll Tatum Prof Longhair James Booker et al
rest easy Art you walked the walked
And sang the good song
word
@khabir.espion
Oh yellow moon
why you keep peeping in my window ?
Do you know something I don't know ?
Have you seen my baby ?
Walking down the railroad tracks ?
You can tell me if the girl's ever coming back ?
Is she hid out with another ?
or is she trying to get back home ?
Is she wrapped up in some other arms ?
Or is the girl somewhere all alone ?
Can you see if she is missing me ?
or is she having a real good time ?
Has she forgotten all about me ?
or is the girl still mine all mine ?
With your eye so big and shiney
You can see the whole damn land
Yellow moon can you tell me ?
If the girl's with another man ?
Oh yellow moon
Can you see that creole woman ?
You can tell me
Now ain't you a friend of mine ?
@user-tl2hv7zq1w
Using my wife's (legacy)phone phone to search for Neville's music to replace lost treasures, and clumsy fingers brought me to this recording that tied major chunks of life in sound. Yellow Moon was released in time to guide me through the passing of my father, and tonight to find that it was written by John Hyatt, another crutch when grief seemed to be the norm, and his album, " Bring the Family", with Nick Lowe, who introduced me to English rockabilly, and Ry Cooder who thanks to a friends mom finishing her doctorates, and seeking a life, sent a group of us to see the first mind opening concert of my life. Life is not just a circle, but circles and chains that tie, I miss my wife who could graff all this and show you in a sweater. With apologies, G Bowders, old white man
@baseBall26Guru
That’s my grandfather, Eddie Freche, slamming the white guitar and jamming with Charles at the end. Amazing to see family that I never got to meet. Rip grandpa and to the passed nevilles. Jam forever and RIP
@christopherchandler2570
I want you to know that I went to every New Orleans show of every version of the Neville Brothers from 1986-2015 and I knew your grandfather. He was a humble,grateful and very sweet man. We had some great times together. I love& miss him. A member of one of the greatest bands of all time.
@christopherchandler2570
But this is Brian Stoltz on this show. Guest John Hiatt.
@davidwinn721
@Christopher Chandler There was another performance on which this string started with different players, and it wasn't Mr. Stoltz holding down the lead guitar role. Brian was obviously the player in this video, but I believe it was a different guy, maybe the above referenced Eddie Freche.....but it sure wasn't Stoltz.
@shuttergirl63
That is very cool....when I was in college ( and now) I thought Neville Brothers were as cool as they came, cool grand pa
@PiranhaRama
They introduce the guitar player as Brian Stoltz....
@catherinesmith4551
I already told my family that when I die, please throw a party as hopefully I'll be traveling home to the Lord, and play me on out with this music, the Neville Bros (may they RIP), Trombone Shorty, Jon Batiste, etc. In other words, a New Orleans style funeral and be happy for me!
@earlcolter1086
I keep coming back, listening, enjoying and thinking how lucky I am to have lived in a world with musicians like these who deserve all the praise and remain permanently in the music world....
Thank you so much Neville Brothers!!!!!
@Dougonbass
The Neville Brothers are a national treasure! Long may they reign!