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.
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Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is what I'm now paying for
The things I did and saw
Would make the earth stand still
Don't call my name
It makes me feel so ashamed
I've lost my sweet helping hand
I've got myself to blame
I've always lived
A very quiet life
I ain't never did no wrong
Now I know That sinful wild life
Would cause me nothing but harm
One night of sin
Is what I'm now paying for
The things I did and saw
Would make the earth stand still
Tell me 'bout it feel
Don't call my name
It makes me feel so ashamed
I lost my sweet helping hand
I've got myself to blame
I've always lived
A very quiet life
I ain't never did no wrong
Now I know that bad and wild life
Would cause me nothing but harm
One night of sin
Is what I'm now paying for
The things I did and saw
Would make the earth stand still
Oh yeah
The song "One Night Of Sin" by Willy DeVille is a song about remorse and regret. The singer is expressing his shame and guilt as he pays the price for the mistakes he made during one wild and sinful night. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who lived a quiet and virtuous life, but made one mistake that destroyed all he had built for himself. He lost the support of the people he loved and is now suffering the consequences of his actions.
The phrase "one night of sin" is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the singer's realization that one mistake can have serious consequences. The use of the phrase "the things I did and saw would make the earth stand still" creates a sense of dread and horror, adding weight to the regret being expressed. The singer finds it difficult to even utter their own name due to the shame they feel.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to one's impulses and making choices that can have life-altering consequences. It is a poignant reminder that actions have consequences and that one bad decision can undo a lifetime of good choices.
Line by Line Meaning
One night of sin
The consequence of my one act of wrongdoing
Is what I'm now paying for
I am now facing the repercussions of my decision
The things I did and saw
The actions I took and witnessed
Would make the earth stand still
Were so momentous that they would cause a great disturbance
Don't call my name
I am too ashamed to be identified
It makes me feel so ashamed
The thought of being recognized fills me with guilt
I've lost my sweet helping hand
I have lost the person who used to support and assist me
I've got myself to blame
I am responsible for my own downfall
I've always lived
My life has been characterized by
A very quiet life
Peaceful and uneventful existence
I ain't never did no wrong
I have never intentionally acted out of line
Now I know That sinful wild life
I have since realized that living a life of sin and excess
Would cause me nothing but harm
Has had a detrimental impact on me
Tell me 'bout it feel
Please describe to me how that sort of lifestyle feels
Oh yeah
Expression of agreement
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANITA STEIMAN, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, PEARL KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ton Bruins
Thank god I saw him live many, many times. Very underrated.
Ida Williams
Thanks for your document of Wille Looking so forward for the big show of his life on Silver screen He truly is Allegiant Legend to be written He had hopes and dreams but himself he couldn't hold control or content Beautiful song writer Beautiful voice life just took you on another course (Willie) Knowing you loved your art of music so so true the world trun you into Mr. Blue Now the Angels are singing with you How Heaven Stood Still.. And capture you at godswill .... Now your audiences is large and bright they sing with you morning noon and night angel Mr. Blue💙🕊💙
Dorien Jansen
such a beautiful man, maybe he was just to nice to be true !!!
Marcel van den Bos
incredible underated he was
smkxodnwbwkdns
He was highly rated by critics and fans alike. Atlanta records signed him a big record deal. He had a couple hits including a billboard 100. Stop using that word!
GG van Tussenbroek
Hij was een geweldige aardige en ondergewaardeerde man een legende en blij hem meerdere keren live kunnen zien hij wordt gemist
margriet Nouwen
Wat een geweldige zanger kippenvel elke keer weer deze man was zo onder erkend zo jammer
chris rombouts
willy respect
eiwind iversen
I miss, Willy!
GORDON BENNETT
Well it was never going to be a happy ending was it.....