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.
Carmelita
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the tubes they glow in the dark
And I'm there with her in Ensenada
And I'm here in Echo Park
Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
With my pearl-handled deck
The county won't give me no more methadone
They cut off your welfare check
Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town
Well, I pawned my Smith-Corona
And I went to meet my man
He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
By the Pioneer chicken stand
Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town
Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town
The lyrics to Willy DeVille's song "Carmelita" are a reflection of the troubled life of a drug addict who finds solace in his memories of a woman named Carmelita. The song is a tale of addiction and desperation where the singer is struggling to survive in a world where he has lost everything he once held dear. The opening lyrics set the stage for the song, with the singer listening to the static of a Mariachi radio station. He is transported to Ensenada, where he is with Carmelita, but he is also aware that he is back in Echo Park, the reality of his situation.
As the song progresses, we learn that the singer is addicted to heroin and that he is struggling to get back on his feet. He has pawned his typewriter and is playing solitaire with his pearl-handled deck. He can no longer rely on the county for his methadone, and his welfare check has been cut off. In a desperate attempt to get his fix, he heads to Alvarado Street to meet his dealer near the Pioneer chicken stand. The only solace he finds is when he is with Carmelita, and he pleads with her to "hold me tighter" as he feels like he is "sinking down" due to his addiction.
Overall, the song's lyrics effectively capture the struggles and desperation of a drug addict, highlighting the singer's need for comfort and love in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear Mariachi static on my radio
I hear the sound of Mexican folk music mixed with static on my radio, which reminds me of a particular person and a particular place.
And the tubes they glow in the dark
The tubes in the radio emit a soft light that fills the room, creating a calming ambiance.
And I'm there with her in Ensenada
I am transported to the coastal town of Ensenada where I am with someone I care about deeply.
And I'm here in Echo Park
Despite my physical location, my mind is still focused on the memories of Ensenada and the person I was with there.
Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
I am alone, passing the time playing a game of solitaire.
With my pearl-handled deck
The cards I am playing with have a fancy pearl handle, adding a small touch of luxury to my otherwise mundane surroundings.
The county won't give me no more methadone
I am struggling with addiction and have been cut off from my medication to help me cope.
They cut off your welfare check
My financial support has been taken away, leaving me in a difficult and precarious position.
Well, I pawned my Smith-Corona
I had to sell my typewriter to get some quick cash to fuel my addiction.
And I went to meet my man
I am going to see my drug dealer, who supplies me with the drugs that I am addicted to.
He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
My dealer can often be found on Alvarado Street, a rough part of town.
By the Pioneer chicken stand
He hangs out near a fast food restaurant called Pioneer Chicken, which serves as a landmark for me to find him.
Carmelita hold me tighter
I am calling out to Carmelita, the person I care about, to hold me close as I feel like I am starting to lose myself.
I think I'm sinking down
I feel like I am losing my grip on reality and my addiction is taking me down with it.
And I'm all strung out on heroin
My addiction to heroin has taken over my life and I feel like I can't escape it.
On the outskirts of town
I am at the edge of society, living a life that is distant and disconnected from the rest of the world.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Passion
Best cover of Carmelita ever! He is a great talent never getting the recognition he deserves. They loved him in Germany and most of Europe. U.S. can be so ignorant sometimes. He is greatly missed.
Martina Mairitsch
@darlingUSA2 Pettee No, "Carmelita" was written by Warren Zevon - and first recorded by Murray McLaughlin (not sure of the spelling)
darlingUSA2 Pettee
@Martina Mairitsch Yes, you're absolutely correct. I was thinking of another song Willy wrote when I typed that. Thank you for the correction.
William Van Hooff
Wow!! I'm 58 now. Was a young, ignorant punk rocker back in the day and could never allow myself to listen to anything other than 'Punk'. In the last few days, I have just been so amazed by this Artist. Better late than never I guess!! Lol... Part of the sound track for the remainder of my life now for sure. Lucky!!
DirkjeA
Great comment and you are never too old to discover something good. As you say, better late than never. :)
Adam Rubin
If you enjoyed this, you should check out the original artist of this song Warren Zevon.
William Van Hooff
@Adam Rubin Have already done so. Warren Zevon another great singer/songwriter for sure!! Really into the whole Americana music genre at the moment. Thanks for the referral though🤘🤙😎
Badbad Manly
He was
Raymond Marks
GG Allin did a great job on this as well.
Joop Rahajaan
Wat een lied.ik luister hem wel een paar keer per dag. Maar hij heeft zoveel schitterende songs.Wat een charismatische man.Hij is veeeel te vroeg heen gegaan.