As a teenager, DeVille had a band named Billy and the Kids. He moved to London looking to form a band, but was unsuccessful in finding like-minded musicians. Eventually he landed in San Francisco where he formed a band with bassist Ruben Siguenza and drummer Tom "Manfred" Allen. The band played under the names Billy DeSade & the Marquis and the Lazy Eights before settling on the name Mink DeVille. Later, DeVille took the band to New York City, where they helped to pioneer punk rock music and were one of the original house bands at CBGB, the New York nighclub where punk rock music was born in the mid-1970s.
The typical DeVille song -- if any of his songs can be called "typical" -- is filled with romantic conviction and yearning. Latin rhythms, Blues riffs, and strains of country music can be heard in DeVille songs. Spanish Stroll was a hit in the U.S. and the UK in 1978; Storybook Love (nominated for an Academy Award in 1987) is the theme song of the movie The Princess Bride.
DeVille suffered from drug addiction for many years, which stifled his career. Among fellow musicians and songwriters, he was widely respected. Songwriter Doc Pomus said about Deville, "He knows the truth of a city street and the courage in a ghetto love song."
DeVille died of pancreatic cancer during the night of August 6, 2009 in a New York hospital.
DeVille had homes in New Orleans and Mississippi.
Big Blue Diamonds
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(On her finger)
Yes, 'stead of a little band of gold
(Big blue diamond)
Big diamonds (big blue diamonds)
Big blue diamonds (big blue diamonds)
Tell a story of the love
That the one man could ever hold
She wanted more than I had money to buy
So she left me, then got lonesome, I am told
Big diamonds, blue diamonds
Now she'll trade them in
For love behind little band of gold
(Little diamonds)
Big diamonds (big diamonds)
Big blue diamonds (big blue diamonds)
How they sparkle
But what can they do to warm your soul?
(Warm her soul)
When you're lonesome in the moonlight
Want the lovin', yes
Big as diamonds (diamonds)
They're blue diamonds (diamonds)
They're so wreckless and cold
(Big blue diamonds)
I'd gladly do my part to mend her broken heart
But the last one over grows cold
Big diamonds (diamonds)
Big blue diamonds (blue diamonds)
I don't want them, no-no
I just want a love behind a band of gold.
(A band of gold)
The song "Big Blue Diamonds" is a classic love ballad written by Earl J. (Kit) Carson and performed by Willy DeVille. The song itself is about a man who gave a woman big blue diamonds as a symbol of his love, but the diamonds could not hold her love for long. The words are full of heartache, regret, and understanding of how much more important love is than wealth. The chorus of "big diamonds, big blue diamonds, on her finger" shows the irony of the situation. While the diamonds were impressive, they could not buy his true love's heart.
The songwriter uses the blue diamonds as a symbol of lost love. He describes how the woman left him because the diamonds could not make her happy, and in the end, she will trade them for a little band of gold. The diamonds were a temporary fix, but true love is forever. The songwriter longs for a love that is not based on wealth, meaning deeper and more honest than merely having something to show off. Through the lyrics, Willy DeVille expresses that love is what truly warms the soul, not material possessions.
Overall, "Big Blue Diamonds" is a beautiful ballad that has captured the hearts of many people over the years. The lyrics are rich in emotions, and Willy DeVille's soulful voice adds to the impact. The song reminds us that true love is not something we can buy with money, and we should cherish the love we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Big diamonds, big blue diamonds, on her finger
The woman in the song has large blue diamonds on her finger.
Yes, 'stead of a little band of gold
She has blue diamonds instead of a traditional gold wedding band.
Big diamonds (big blue diamonds)
The song repeats its focus on the woman's blue diamonds.
Tell a story of the love
That the one man could ever hold
(Of them all)
The diamonds are a symbol of the love shared between the woman and her partner.
She wanted more than I had money to buy
So she left me, then got lonesome, I am told
The woman left the singer because he didn't have enough money to fulfill her desires.
Big diamonds, blue diamonds
Now she'll trade them in
For love behind little band of gold
(Little diamonds)
The woman has realized that her love for the singer is worth more than the diamonds and is willing to trade them for a traditional gold wedding band and smaller diamonds.
Big diamonds (big diamonds)
Big blue diamonds (big blue diamonds)
How they sparkle
But what can they do to warm your soul?
(Warm her soul)
The diamonds may be beautiful, but they cannot provide the warmth and affection that love brings to the soul.
When you're lonesome in the moonlight
Want the lovin', yes
Big as diamonds (diamonds)
They're blue diamonds (diamonds)
They're so wreckless and cold
(Big blue diamonds)
When someone is lonely, the desire for love and affection is far greater than the value of diamonds.
I'd gladly do my part to mend her broken heart
But the last one over grows cold
Big diamonds (diamonds)
Big blue diamonds (blue diamonds)
The singer is willing to help mend the woman's broken heart, but the diamonds have grown cold, symbolizing the loss of the love shared between them.
I don't want them, no-no
I just want a love behind a band of gold.
(A band of gold)
The singer doesn't care about the valuable blue diamonds, he just wants the love represented by a golden wedding band.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: EARL JENNINGS CARLSON, EARL JENNINGS CARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind