Willy DeVille (born William Paul Borsey Jr. in Stamford, Connecticut, on Au… Read Full Bio ↴Willy DeVille (born William Paul Borsey Jr. in Stamford, Connecticut, on August 25, 1950; died in New York City on August 6, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter of Basque, Pequot, and Irish descent. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille (1974–1986) and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in various American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary music, including Jack Nitzsche, Doc Pomus, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler, Allen Toussaint, and Eddie Bo. A wide range of styles, including latin rhythms, blues riffs, doo-wop, Cajun music, strains of French cabaret, and echoes of early-1960s uptown soul, can be heard in DeVille's work.

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.

Even While I Sleep
Willy DeVille Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You may be far away or just may be down the street
I hear every sound that you make and every time that your heart beats.

You're there in every dream I dream
You're there in every breath I breathe
You're there even while I sleep.

You got some kind of magic charm, you got some unearthly ways

I try to hold on so tight to my heart but at night I still see your face.

You're there in every dream I dream
You're there in every breath I breathe
You're there even while I sleep
Even while I sleep
Even while I sleep
Even while I sleep.

You're there in every dream I dream
You're there in every breath I breathe
You're there even while I sleep.

You may be far away or just may be down the street
I hear every sound that you make every time that your heart beats.

You're there in every dream I dream
You're there in every breath I breathe
You're there even while I sleep
Even while I sleep
Even while I sleep
Even while I sleep.

Even while I sleep
Even while I sleep

Even while I sleep
Even while I sleep.

Overall Meaning

In Willy DeVille's song "Even While I Sleep," the singer is expressing their constant awareness and connection to their significant other, even when physically apart. The lyrics suggest a deep emotional connection where the singer is not only aware of their partner's physical presence, but also attuned to their inner world - hearing every sound they make and every beat of their heart. The repeated phrase "you're there" emphasizes this sense of constant presence, whether it's in the singer's conscious thoughts or subconscious dreams.

The second half of the song delves into the emotional impact this connection has on the singer. They describe their partner as having a "magic charm" and "unearthly ways," which suggests that they hold an almost mystical power over the singer's heart. The singer tries to resist this power, but ultimately admits that their partner's image still appears in their mind at night. The repetition of "even while I sleep" reinforces the idea that this connection is ever-present and all-encompassing.

Overall, the song portrays a deep and intense romantic connection, in which the singer feels constantly connected to their partner, even during times of physical separation. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and vulnerability, as the singer is unable to resist the powerful hold their partner has over them.

Line by Line Meaning

You may be far away or just may be down the street
No matter where you are, your presence is still felt by me.

I hear every sound that you make and every time that your heart beats.
I am so attuned to you that I'm able to pick up on the smallest things, like the sound of your heartbeat.

You're there in every dream I dream
You are a constant presence in my subconscious mind.

You're there in every breath I breathe
Every moment of my life is intertwined with thoughts of you.

You're there even while I sleep.
Not even my dreams can provide me with a break from thinking of you.

You got some kind of magic charm, you got some unearthly ways
Your allure is beyond what I can logically comprehend.

I try to hold on so tight to my heart but at night I still see your face.
Even though I may try to resist loving you, my feelings for you still appear in my dreams.

Contributed by Nolan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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