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.
Chieva
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel your spirit everywhere, when will you let me be ?
All the things I did for you they only gave me pain
Just a needle and a spoon only brought me shame.
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva.
How long has it been now since I let you go ?
Sweet as the very first kiss you took my passion and my soul
I should have known you were deadly, that was my first mistake
The first time I felt you seems like I've lost count of days.
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, what you do
You took me down, you took me down from my very first taste
All that was mine all through this time, your memory I can't erase.
I know you can still be found in a lowdown east side place
Some dark night, when you walk in, I'll get up and I'll move away
The money burns a hole in my pocket while you burn a hole in me
I get down as if to pray, I fall down to my knees crying ..
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva, what you do
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, what you do
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva, what you do
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
Chieva, Chieva, what you do
The song "Chieva" by Willy DeVille is a haunting ballad about addiction and the pain it causes. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone who is struggling with a drug addiction and is haunted by the memory of a past love. The singer dreams of their former lover at night, and can feel their presence everywhere, but is unable to escape the grip of their addiction.
The lyrics describe the pain and shame that the singer feels, as they recall all of the terrible things that they have done to sustain their addiction. They blame their addiction on this former lover, whom they describe as "deadly". Despite the pain that they feel, the singer is unable to resist the lure of the drugs, even though they know it will only lead to more pain and suffering.
Overall, "Chieva" is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the struggles of addiction and the damage it can cause. It is a reminder of the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of seeking help before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Late at night I dream of you all through my sleep
I can't stop thinking about you even in my dreams.
I feel your spirit everywhere, when will you let me be ?
Your memory is haunting me, when will I be free of it?
All the things I did for you they only gave me pain
All the sacrifices I made for you only brought me suffering.
Just a needle and a spoon only brought me shame.
My addiction to drugs has brought me nothing but disgrace.
Chieva, Chieva, Chieva
The repeated chant of the drug's name symbolizes its hold over the singer.
How long has it been now since I let you go ?
It's been a while since I stopped using you, but your memory still lingers.
Sweet as the very first kiss you took my passion and my soul
You were all-consuming, from the very start, taking over everything that mattered to me.
I should have known you were deadly, that was my first mistake
I should have known better than to get involved with you and your destructive nature.
The first time I felt you seems like I've lost count of days.
The allure of the drug has made it feel like I've been using it forever.
You took me down, you took me down from my very first taste
The drug had a grip on me from the very first time I used it.
All that was mine all through this time, your memory I can't erase.
Even though I've lost so much to you, I can't seem to forget you.
I know you can still be found in a lowdown east side place
I know exactly where to get you, even if it means going to dangerous areas.
Some dark night, when you walk in, I'll get up and I'll move away
I hope to one day have the strength to resist you and walk away.
The money burns a hole in my pocket while you burn a hole in me
The cost of the drug is not just financial - it has a deeper, more damaging impact on my life.
I get down as if to pray, I fall down to my knees crying ..
The desperation for relief from the addiction is likened to a prayer, but there seems to be no answer.
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Irene Neurauter
willy is the best singer, songwriter, musician and performer ever with a great band ❣ willy forever 💔
conchi dominguez
DHE BEST 💖🤗
Lualeg Gerdin
Fabulous, magic and the best and most underrated true artist ever!
Päivi Mansikkaviita
He made great music out of life experience, both good and bad. Both pleasure and pain from heart to heart. What an amazing guy!
john clarke
Damn. You can really hear the years he spent in New Orleans come out with this great song. Once again as always Willy. Pure Magic
conchi dominguez
Siempre original y apasionado... Lovely 💖 Willy
Jutta Winkler
"My" Shaman Willy: respect, fascination, admiration accompany him. No musican has everbeen so impressed me as William Borsey and that will never cease!
darlingUSA2 Pettee
All these years have passed and it is still as true as it ever was. Just the one Voice.
JPFULLHD
Less than 10,000 views. How can this be? I can't seem to get enough of his music.
Jutta Winkler
He had so much music and passion in his blood...
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