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 Remember The First Time
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the look in her eyes
I promised to love her
Something she never realized
And I believed everything that she said
Every time that she lied
Well she's still there in my dreams
Every time that she lied
Even though it's been a long, long time
When I finally released her
From my grip much too tight
This was not love bought and sold
Yes I know this was no answer
But she's still there in my dreams
And she roams through my nights
Can't get her out of my heart
Can't get her out of my dreams
Can't get her out of my heart
Even though it's been a long long time
Too hot in here
Too hot in here
I gotta stay only for you
Let me stay, let me go, let me stay
I don't know
I don't know
But I can't get her out of my dreams
And she still roams through my night
Can't get her out of my heart
Even though it's been a long long time
I remember the first time
First time
I remember the first time
I remember the first time
I remember the first time
The lyrics of Willy DeVille's song "I Remember The First Time" depict a nostalgic and haunting reminiscence of a past relationship. The lyrics of the song narrate a story of a man who recalls the first time he fell in love with a woman who appeared to be skeptical of his love. Despite his efforts, the woman never realized that he truly loved her, and every time she lied, he believed everything she said. The singer of the song admits that he held onto the woman too tightly but finally released her because he knew that she was not someone he could buy or sell love with.
The chorus in the song emphasizes the enduring nature of the memory of this woman. The singer cannot get her out of his dreams, or his mind, or his heart, even though it has been a long time since the relationship ended. The song's lyrics suggest that the man is still stuck in the past and unable to move on, despite the woman not being in his life anymore. The bridge of the song ("Too hot in here...") adds to the mystery and confusion of the singer's feelings, with him not being able to decide whether he wants the woman back or not.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the first time
The singer recalls a significant moment in the past.
And the look in her eyes
The singer remembers the expression on the woman's face during that moment.
I promised to love her
The singer made a vow to cherish the woman romantically.
Something she never realized
The woman did not understand or appreciate the artist's pledge of love.
And I believed everything that she said
The artist had faith in everything the woman told him, even if it was false or dishonest.
Every time that she lied
The woman repeatedly deceived the singer, yet he remained loyal to her.
Well she's still there in my dreams
The woman continues to appear in the singer's dreams, suggesting he has not overcome his feelings for her.
Even though it's been a long, long time
Despite the passage of time, the artist's fond memories of the woman have not faded.
When I finally released her
The artist eventually let go of the woman, possibly ending their relationship.
From my grip much too tight
The artist held onto the woman for too long, despite the fact that she may not have reciprocated his feelings.
This was not love bought and sold
The singer acknowledges that his relationship with the woman was not based on a transaction or exchange of goods, but rather on his genuine emotions.
Yes I know this was no answer
The artist realizes that his actions or decisions did not necessarily solve any problems, nor did they necessarily lead to a contented conclusion.
But she's still there in my dreams
The woman remains a significant figure in the singer's subconscious thoughts or fantasies.
And she roams through my nights
The woman appears in the singer's dreams and occupies his nocturnal thoughts and experiences.
Can't get her out of my heart
The singer is unable to forget the woman or stop caring about her.
Can't get her out of my dreams
The woman continues to appear in the artist's dreams, no matter how much time has passed since their split.
Too hot in here
The artist feels uncomfortable or suffocated in his current environment.
Let me stay, let me go, let me stay
The singer is indecisive about his situation and longs for clarity.
I don't know
The singer is unsure about what he wants or how to proceed.
First time
The artist emphasizes the significance of the initial moment he recalls.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jutta Winkler
+sally vandenhende Dear, dear Sally,
as long as you have not heard of me - I had to fix something with my family ...... Now it's time that I write to you.
Maybe you're already in NY back, have a very experienced and a lot of it
enjoyed being with Willy's guys have accumulated some of the memories of Willy. You had so much to me sent, thank you sincerely for that!
I had to study in the last week not had time everything exactly, because it must be done with much pleasure, you understand.
Your dear sister had written soooo nice, I was surprised, amazed and delighted!
Christmas is coming and I want to be let in, and there, pretty much like to meet every year to prepare. Today I had picked up my brother, our goose that we are already eating at the request of my son on Christmas Eve.
Wherever you are both, I wish you a beautiful, contemplative and relaxing Christmas - without stress, with good friends and with a lot of love !!!
And 2016 should be a top priority one year for all of us, where we stay healthy or be where, we can live in peace, where we are experiencing a lot of love around us and where we successfully achieve the goals that we want so much.
So I say goodbye with the hope to read from you again and greetings
and embrace you and your sister
cordially
Jutta
Gabriele Stockhausen
Ich kenne kaum ein Lied von ihm, das mir nicht gefällt. Er vereint die Musikrichtungen,die ich mag.Ganz egal ob mit Band oder als Trio,einfach nur Klasse.
Bob
The production and arrangement is unbelievable on this tune.
jumagu1
I never heard this song before. Thanks so much. He and his Musical will be always in my mind - heart and soul.
Karin Beutel
Man findet seinen eigenen Schmerz in seiner Stimme♥️
Kathy Lieberom
Thanks Willy for your beautiful music and voice.,You're a diamond in the sky <3 Always in our hearts.
Javier Cerro
Cuando me llegue el momento, espero conocerte en alma
Uta Kramer
His voice always goes straight to my Heart.
lamb47
He will always be exactly as he is to us today. Beautiful. Thank you Ingrid. Thank you Willy. RIP
keatsgipsy
Lovely video, great photos, beautiful song goes straight to the HEART...
Birgit Petersen
<3 So beatyful, magical and touching! Big love to you Willy! R.I.P <3