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.
Storybook of Love
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a boy and girl and their love story
And how he loved her oh so much
And all the charms she did possess
Now this did happen once upon a time
When things were not so complex
How he worshipped the ground she walked
My love is like a storybook story
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
My love is like a storybook story
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
It's as real as the feelings I feel
This love was stronger than the powers so dark
A prince could have within his keeping
His spells to weave and steal a heart
Within her breast but only sleeping
My love is like a storybook story
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
My love is like a storybook story
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
It's as real as the feelings I feel
Now he said, "Don't you know I love you oh so much
And lay my heart at the foot of your dress?"
She said, "Don't you know that these storybook loves
Always have a happy ending?"
Then he swooped her up just like in the books
And on his stallion they rode away
My love is like a storybook story
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
My love is like a storybook story
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
The lyrics to Willy DeVille's song "Storybook Love" tell the tale of a boy and girl's love story, one that is pure and simple, and one that has stood the test of time. The opening verse sets the scene for the story that is about to unfold, with the singer inviting his love to listen to the tale of their story. The following verses tell of the depth of love between the two protagonists and how the boy loved the girl so much that it almost seemed like an obsession. The lyrics are full of romantic imagery, with references to princes, spells, and stories with happy endings.
The chorus speaks of the power of the love between the two protagonists, comparing it to a storybook love story. Here, the singer acknowledges that, while their love may seem like a fairytale, it is very real and based on genuine feelings. The final verse sees the girl questioning whether their love story will have a happy ending, to which the boy responds by sweeping her up and riding away on his horse; the two are destined to be together forever.
The song is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the enduring nature of a truly meaningful relationship. It speaks to the power of storytelling and reminds us of the universal appeal of a well-told love story. The song was featured in the movie "The Princess Bride" and is considered by many to be one of the most iconic love songs of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Come my love I'll tell you a tale
The singer invites their lover to listen to a story.
Of a boy and girl and their love story
The story is about the romance between a young man and woman.
And how he loved her oh so much
The young man loved her deeply.
And all the charms she did possess
The woman had many attractive qualities that drew the young man to her.
Now this did happen once upon a time
The story takes place in the distant past.
When things were not so complex
Life was simpler in the past.
How he worshipped the ground she walked
The young man adored the woman and would do anything for her.
And when he looked in her eyes he became obsessed
The young man was completely smitten with the woman.
My love is like a storybook story
The artist's own romance feels like a fairy tale.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel
However, the artist's love is genuine and heartfelt.
This love was stronger than the powers so dark
The love between the young man and woman was stronger than any dark force that could try to break them apart.
A prince could have within his keeping
Even a powerful prince could not control or claim the woman's heart.
His spells to weave and steal a heart
The prince might try to use his magic to charm or manipulate the woman, but it would be futile.
Within her breast but only sleeping
The woman had the potential for love, but it had not yet been awakened by the right person.
Now he said, "Don't you know I love you oh so much
The young man expressed his feelings of love to the woman.
And lay my heart at the foot of your dress?"
He metaphorically offers his heart to her, as a sign of commitment.
She said, "Don't you know that these storybook loves
The woman responded by pointing out that fairy tales always have happy endings, implying that their love will work out.
Always have a happy ending?"
She expects their love to be just like a fairy tale, with a happy ending.
Then he swooped her up just like in the books
The young man sweeps the woman off her feet, reminiscent of romantic scenes in storybooks.
And on his stallion they rode away
The couple rides off together, symbolizing their journey into a new life together.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WILLY DE VILLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fumingriley
At the very end of the movie when the grandson says Grandpa maybe you can come back tomorrow and read it again and Grandpa says As you wish! He's really saying I love you ❤
@Pixietoria
One of the most heartfelt vocal deliveries ever. No flourishes, no tricks, just pure emotion. Goosebumps every time. Beautiful. ❤️
@stanibol
Exactly!
@bernhardkoenigs2415
So true
@subforceusa694
Very much so, they don’t make music like this anymore! Listen to Par Avion by Mike and the Mechanics also
@mariainesmuller6538
Mark is a Genius. The best . Am wordless. 💋❤️💓❤️🔥❤️❤️❤️
@KairuHakubi
I think it's pretty much nonstop flourishes, but it is nice.
@josephstanton4872
Hard to believe its 36 yrs since then! Its inconceivable, as you wish, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Andre the Giant! And that song! How could you forget Peter Falk's lovable Granddad!😊
@stephenmccallum1866
I always take great joy introducing people to The Princess Bride.
@tawnie9204
Stephen McCallum One of my former HS teachers told me she walked down the aisle to this song. I was introduced to this gorgeous film by my English LIT teacher in 8th grade. She read the book to the whole class too. I now own the DVD. I’ll get the book one day.....😍