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.

I'm Gonna Do Something The Devil Never Did
Willy DeVille Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Out in the street
Out in the street
The trucks will leave
The trucks will leave
So will I
I'm leaving her alone

Excuse me for falling apart, falling apart, it's just

My heart
Its' just my heart
Looks like I'm ready to go

Looks like I'm ready to go
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna leave you alone

I look back down
And I look back down
Those busy streets
Those busy streets that you go
And you'll go it alone
I'm gonna do something the devil never did, babe
I'm gonna leave you alone
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna leave you alone

I meant never to run
I meant never to run, babe
I'm gonna go now before my eyes cry
In the comfort of the cold
In the comfort of the cold
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I'm gonna leave you alone

I'm gonna leave you alone
I gotta go

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Gonna Do Something The Devil Never Did" by Willy DeVille is a powerful and emotionally charged ballad about a man's decision to leave a relationship that has become too painful to bear. The song opens with the singer in the street, watching as the trucks leave, and ultimately deciding to leave his lover as well. The lyrics convey a sense of heartbreak and desperation, as the singer struggles to find the strength to let go of a relationship that has left him feeling broken.

The repetitive nature of the verses conveys a sense of urgency and determination in the singer's decision to leave. The chorus, "I'm gonna do something the devil never did, I'm gonna leave you alone," serves as an anthem for anyone who has ever struggled to find the courage to walk away from a toxic relationship.

The final verse of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer admits that he never intended to run away, but has finally realized that he can't continue to stay. The line "In the comfort of the cold" suggests that while the singer may be leaving behind someone he once loved, he is finding comfort in his newfound independence and the freedom that comes with making a difficult decision.

Overall, "I'm Gonna Do Something The Devil Never Did" is a powerful and emotionally resonant song that speaks to the pain and difficulty of leaving a relationship, but also to the sense of liberation that comes with finally letting go.

Line by Line Meaning

Out in the street
I am leaving you and going out into the street.

The trucks will leave
The trucks will leave and so will I.

So will I
I am leaving you as well.

Excuse me for falling apart, falling apart, it's just
I am sorry for breaking down, it’s just that...

My heart
My heart is broken and hurting.

Looks like I'm ready to go
It seems that I am ready to leave.

I'm gonna do something the devil never did
I am going to do something that even the devil has never done.

I'm gonna leave you alone
I am going to leave you and be by myself.

I look back down
I am looking back down at the ground.

Those busy streets
Those busy streets that you will be on alone.

And you'll go it alone
You will walk down those busy streets alone.