The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art (1937-2019), Charles (1938โ2018), 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.
don't cry
The Neville Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll not say my last good bye
Whoa, so don't cry, don't cry,
Little darlin' don't cry
Cause I'll return someday
So don't weep, don't weep, little darlin'
No, no don't weep
Whoa, so don't weep, don't weep,
Little darlin' don't weep
Cause I'll return someday soon
(To take you in my arms)
And to squeeze you tight
(To capture all your charms)
Every, every, every day now
Don't cry, don't cry, little darlin'
No don't cry
I'm not saying my last good bye
Whoa, no don't cry, don't cry,
Little darlin' don't cry
I'll return someday,
Someday soon (someday soon)
Whoa, don't cry, don't cry, little darlin'
Don't, don't you cry
Cause I'm not saying my last good bye
Whoa, don't cry, no, no, no, don't cry
The Neville Brothers' song "Don't Cry" is a love ballad that conveys one's commitment to their significant other while they are away. The singer pledges to return, comforting his lover with the promise that this separation is only temporary. The lyrics' use of repetition emphasizes the assurance that they will be reunited soon. The phrase "little darlin'" also creates a sense of endearment, further adding to the comforting tone of the song.
The chorus's "don't weep" is particularly poignant as it juxtaposes crying, a physical expression of sadness, with weeping, a deeper emotional expression of grief. The assurance that the lover is not saying their last goodbye is repeated multiple times, highlighting the temporary nature of the separation. The lyrics also touch on the romantic aspect of the relationship, with the singer expressing his love for his partner and his desire to be with them again soon.
Overall, the song is a touching expression of love and commitment in the face of separation. The lyrics convey a sense of comfort and reassurance to the listener, reminding them that even though their loved one may be away, their love will endure and they will be together again soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't cry, don't cry, little darlin' don't cry
Please don't cry, my dear
I'll not say my last good bye
This is not the end, I'll come back soon
Whoa, so don't cry, don't cry, Little darlin' don't cry
I want to see you happy, so please don't cry
Cause I'll return someday
I promise to come back someday
So don't weep, don't weep, little darlin'
Please don't weep, my love
No, no don't weep
I don't want to see you cry
My heart tells me you're in love with me
I know you love me, and that makes me happy
Whoa, so don't weep, don't weep, Little darlin' don't weep
Let's be happy together, my dear
Cause I'll return someday soon
I'll be back soon to be with you
(To take you in my arms)
I want to hold and cuddle you
And to squeeze you tight
I want to show you how much I love you
(To capture all your charms)
I want to appreciate every aspect of you
Every, every, every day now
I want to be with you every single day
Don't cry, don't cry, little darlin'
Please don't cry, my love
No don't cry
I don't want to see you upset
I'm not saying my last good bye
This is not the end, we'll be together again
Whoa, no don't cry, don't cry, Little darlin' don't cry
Please stay strong and wait for me, my love
I'll return someday, Someday soon (someday soon)
I'll come back soon, I promise
Whoa, don't cry, don't cry, little darlin'
Please don't cry, my love
Don't, don't you cry
I'm here for you, there's no need to cry
Cause I'm not saying my last good bye
I'll never say goodbye forever
Whoa, don't cry, no, no, no, don't cry
Please don't cry, my love
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN JULIAN ORANGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joseluistorres7942
Like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.
Like a baby, stillborn,
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"
Oh like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
@debrahousch9881
Aaron Neville is in a class of his own.ย Absolutely wonderful.ย Most beautiful voice I have ever heard.
@hansgunner9733
Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn. Great memories
@jackrussell9497
How can there be so many thumbs down. This mans voice is the greatest instrument that has graced this planet.
@elizabethrobello6750
Beautiful in the extreme
@Armageddon-qo4wy
All those jealous husband's.
@d29f56
Some prefer the original version from leonard cohen, i love both
@AlexanderStHill
Who says
@sjonnieplayfull5859
Maybe some do not believe the one posting is Aaron Neville himself?
@ileac7122
God has blessed Aaron Neville w/ a beautiful singing voice.
@kenfrancis3477
He has to be one of the most underrated singers.he really possess an angelic voice.