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 blue so blue
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't do right by you
I didn′t know the right things to do
Someday, I'll make it all up to you
Well I'm blue, so blue
And, darling I can′t blame you
I didn′t know the right things to do
When we met, I thought
We′d be so happy
We'd be so gay
When we met, I thought
We′d be so happy
But now, you've gone away
Well I′m blue, so blue
And, darling I can't blame you
I didn't know the right things to do
Someday, I′ll make it all up to you
I′m so blue
Oh, when we met, I thought
We'd be so happy, We′d be so gay
When we met, I thought
We'd be so happy
But now, you′ve gone away
Now I'm blue, so blue
And, darling I can′t blame you
I didn't know the right things to do
Someday, I'll make it all up to you
Yes I′m blue, so blue
Someday, I′ll make it all up to you
The song "I'm Blue So Blue" by Willy DeVille is a lament about a failed relationship. The singer acknowledges that he did not know the right things to do in the relationship and thus did not treat his partner well. He apologizes for not doing right by his partner and expresses his sadness that they have gone their separate ways. The lyrics suggest that the singer is filled with remorse and in a state of deep melancholy, which is reflected in the repeated refrain "I'm blue so blue." However, the song ends on a note of hope, with the singer promising to make it all up to his partner "someday."
The song's title, "I'm Blue So Blue," is a repetition of the word "blue," which can be interpreted as a metaphor for a range of emotions, from sadness to depression to loneliness. The repeated use of the word "blue" throughout the song adds to the overall feeling of melancholy. The singer's voice is soft and somewhat mournful, adding to the emotional content of the lyrics.
Overall, "I'm Blue So Blue" is a deeply introspective song about a failed relationship and its aftermath. The singer acknowledges his mistakes and expresses his feelings of regret and sorrow, while clinging to the hope that he might someday make it all up to his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's true, so true
The singer acknowledges that he did not treat his loved one well.
I didn't do right by you
The singer admits that he made mistakes in his relationship.
I didn't know the right things to do
The singer lacked knowledge on how to properly treat his loved one.
Someday, I'll make it all up to you
The singer promises to make amends for his past mistakes and improve his relationship.
Well I'm blue, so blue
The singer is feeling sad and down about his current relationship situation.
And, darling I can't blame you
The singer takes responsibility for his past actions and does not fault his loved one for leaving him.
When we met, I thought We'd be so happy We'd be so gay
The singer had high hopes for his relationship when it started and envisioned a bright future with his loved one.
But now, you've gone away
The singer's loved one has left him and the relationship has ended.
I'm so blue
The singer's sadness and feelings of regret continue to affect him.
Oh, when we met, I thought We'd be so happy, We'd be so gay
The singer reminisces on his previous optimistic outlook on his relationship.
Now I'm blue, so blue
The singer's sadness persists and he is still struggling with his emotions.
Yes I'm blue, so blue
The singer reiterates his feelings of sadness and regret.
Someday, I'll make it all up to you
The singer repeats his promise to improve his relationship and make amends for his past mistakes.
Writer(s): Jennifer Clark
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.