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.
Let It Be Me
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to stay around you
And so I beg you
Let it be me
Don't take this heaven from one
If you must cling to someone
Now and forever
Each time we meet love
I find complete love
Without your sweet sweet love
What would life be
So never leave me lonely
Tell me you love me only
And that you'll always
Let it be me
Now and forever
Let it be me
In the song "Let It Be Me," Willy DeVille sings about his deep love for another person. He is so grateful to have found this person and wishes to stay close to them. He pleads with them to let him be the one to share the rest of their life with. He asks them to not push him away and to instead let him be the constant presence in their life. When they are together, he experiences an overwhelming sense of love and completeness. He knows that without this person, his life will not be the same. He urges them to never leave him alone and to always choose him as their partner.
This song is a classic love ballad that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of listeners. It speaks to the deep desire to find someone who will be there for you no matter what. Willy DeVille's voice is full of longing and hope as he sings about his love. The simple lyrics convey a powerful message about the importance of companionship and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I bless the day I found you
I am grateful for the day when I met you
I want to stay around you
I want to be close to you and in your company
And so I beg you
I plead and implore you
Let it be me
Choose me and let me be the one
Don't take this heaven from one
Do not take away this paradise from someone
If you must cling to someone
If you have to hold on to someone
Now and forever
For all time and eternity
Let it be me
Choose me and let me be the one
Each time we meet love
Every time we are together and in love
I find complete love
I experience love in its fullness and entirety
Without your sweet sweet love
I cannot imagine living without your loving affection
What would life be
Life would be meaningless and empty
So never leave me lonely
Do not abandon me to solitude and emptiness
Tell me you love me only
Promise me that you love me exclusively
And that you'll always
And pledge to me that you will always
Let it be me
Choose me and let me be the one
Now and forever
For all time and eternity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gilbert Becaud, Manny Kurtz, Pierre Delanoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny P
Draws the emotion out of ya...!
Hurts and I feel it, like taking a week old bandage off the forearm, slowly. 😢.
So many times I've asked same question but decided to finally give up. Stop wanting partnership, maybe it's me but maybe not...
No matter what; always, ALWAYS... LET IT BE ME !
BLAZE FOLEY, also a great song writer and emotional interpreter...
CLAY PIGEONS, IF I COULD FLY songs... !
Rita DaSilva
Never , have i heard a more beautiful , passionate , vocally outstanding performance . What an amazing talent ! Thank you , Mr Deville ❤R.I.P.
Antony Paterson
You know it’s really sad but I wonder how many people know about this guy. Surely one of the most underrated musicians of his generation with a voice that once you have heard it you can never forget. Just amazing !
Poppy Tw
Just discover Willy and am so mesmerised! Completely blown away!
MCEC Nohayluna
HERMOSA VERSIÓN EN ESA VOZ RONCA ROMÁNTICA Y LLENA DE SENSUALIDAD Y PASIÓN.
Pam Couttspinkerton
I have to believe he knows how much his music still means and how much he is loved. His voice is so incredible
Robert Winkelbauer
Soo viele gänsehautsongs hat er hinterlassen es ist unglaublich, maybe 100? Eine der besten sänger ever!
ing ley
Bin voll ihrer Meinung Robert, für mich gibt es keinen besseren.
Er berüht Herz und Seele.
Barbara Rausch
Willy, deine Stimme berührt immer wieder meine Seele Ruhe in Frieden ❤️🐶🦮❤️🙏❤️❤️❤️💫⭐️🌟
Juan Pedro Fuentes Perez
I wish someone would make a film about his life. What an amazing talent
MCEC Nohayluna
ME ENCANTA ESTA CANCIÓN Y LA INTERPRETACIÓN DE WILLY DEVILLE ES FANTÁSTICA.