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.
Needles and Pins
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
Hey I thought I was smart, I'd won her heart
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see
She's worse to him than me, let her go ahead
Just how to say please, and get down on her knees
Hey that's how it begins (uh), she'll feel those needles and pins
A-hurtin' her, a-hurtin' her
Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong
Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong
Because I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
Oh needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh)
The lyrics to Willy DeVille's song Needles and Pins describe a painful emotional struggle. The singer sees a woman he once loved and realizes that he must run away from her to avoid feeling the needles and pins of heartache that come along with being near her. He professes pride in his decision but also laments the tears he must hide. He recognizes that the woman is toxic, causing him and others great pain, and he hopes that she will one day see her errors and feel the hurt she has caused others.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on his own mistakes, wondering why he can't stop himself from feeling the way he does, and why he can't stand up and be strong. He acknowledges that he thought he was smart and had won the woman's heart, but now he sees that she is worse to the man she left him for. The song's repetition of the phrase "needles and pins" reinforces the visceral nature of the pain the singer feels, and reflects the cycle of hurt that he is caught in.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw her today, I saw her face, it was a face I loved, and I knew
I saw her today, the girl I am hopelessly in love with, and I recognized her beautiful face and knew instantly that I was in trouble.
I had to run away, and get down on my knees and pray that they'd go away
I was so overwhelmed by her presence that I had to quickly retreat and pray that my feelings for her would subside.
But still they'd begin (uh), needles and pins (uh)
Despite my best efforts, my feelings for her still surfaced and I felt a sharp pain in my heart.
Because of all my pride, the tears I gotta hide
I cannot express my true feelings to her because of my own pride, and as a result, I have to keep my tears hidden.
Hey I thought I was smart, I'd won her heart
I initially believed that I had won her heart and that we would be together, but now I am not so sure.
Didn't think I'd do, but now I see
I did not think that I would fall for her, but now I can see that I was wrong.
She's worse to him than me, let her go ahead
She treats the man she is currently with worse than she ever treated me, so I should let her go and move on.
Take his love instead, and one day she will see
She should take the love of the man she is currently with instead, and eventually she will realize how much he loves her.
Just how to say please, and get down on her knees
She will learn how to beg for his affection and become subservient to him.
Hey that's how it begins (uh), she'll feel those needles and pins
This is how their relationship will start, with him holding power over her and her feeling the sting of intense emotions.
A-hurtin' her, a-hurtin' her
Their relationship will be a painful one for her as she experiences both love and heartbreak.
Why can't I stop and tell myself I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so wrong
I cannot seem to get over my feelings for her and I know that I am in the wrong for continuing to hold onto this hopeless love.
Why can't I stand up and tell myself I'm strong
I wish I could find the strength to move on and let go of this unrequited love.
Oh needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh), needles and pins (uh)
The pain of loving her and not being able to be with her is like a thousand needles and pins piercing my heart over and over again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Nitzsche, Sonny Bono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DjangoThunders
My favorite version of this song.
Co-written by his friend and producer Jack Nitzsche.
When the dust has settled maybe the world will realize the genius and beauty of Willy DeVille.
Rest in Peace and thanks for changing my life with your music!
@BigBruceFan
Love this cover, best I've heard.....RIP Willy
@utakramer139
Die pure Leidenschaft zur Musik.
R I P Willy
@cinemabookstudio1263
Comments to recognize the genius and wonder who is Will DeVille in English, German, Spanish, Italian... but not many, just a few as his music wasn’t commercial, but deep and marvelous to people around the world as special as he was.
@lottepeng9691
Still love Willy DeVille 🎼🎵🎤🎶😍❤
September 2020
@assumptadanes4906
una fantástica versión! R.I.P
@b4ned
I really , really miss this guy
@lottepeng3365
He got that Gypsy Soul ❤
We never forget Willy .. 💘
@gypsysallylamarthy372
Just Amazing !!!A Miracle !!!!!Gypsy Sally Lamarthy.
@HERVEG1600
RIP Mister deville :'(