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.
The Band Played On
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I say take another piece of my heart
Feeling drunk like a sailor blistered on
Mardi gras day
Feeling drunk on mardi gras day
Where is that scarecrow who used to walk on
Your arm
When we used to stroll down decatur street
Does he whisper how much he loves you when
The trumpets start to play
And the band played on
The band played on
Yeah, the band played on
And the band played on
Sad as it may be, new orleans will be on its knees
While the band, while the band played on
Baby, don't mean maybe
Someday i'll come back again
When I get home to new orleans
Every day gonna be peaches and cream and
Pecan pie
Oh so sweet coming down the street
And the band played on
The band played on
The band played on
Lord have mercy on me
The band played on
So sad and sweet
Sad and sweet
That's what it be
I lost my new orleans
That's alright she'll be back again someday
I know it
She'll be back again someday
The Willy DeVille's song, The Band Played On, is a nostalgic and melancholic masterpiece that transports the listener to the bustling streets of New Orleans. The song starts with the line "Do I make you feel pretty when I say take another piece of my heart," which is a subtle declaration of the love the singer has for the person they are singing to. The feeling of being drunk is also mentioned, as if the singer is trying to capture the feeling of being inebriated in the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras. The mention of a former companion adds to the wistfulness of the song, while the reference to trumpets and the band playing on are a reminder that life goes on even when things change. The final verse portrays the city of New Orleans as a lost love that will someday return, adding an extra layer of yearning to the already poignant lyrics.
The song was included in Willy DeVille’s album Victory Mixture, which was released in 1990 with mostly covers of classic songs. However, this particular song had been previously included in his live double album Live at Montreux 1994. "The Band Played On" was never released as a single, however, it remains one of DeVille's most popular songs due to its emotive delivery and sublime arrangement. Here are ten more interesting facts about “The Band Played On”:
Line by Line Meaning
Do I make you feel pretty
Asking if the person is happy and satisfied with the relationship
When I say take another piece of my heart
Asking the person to take more of their love and affection
Feeling drunk like a sailor blistered on Mardi gras day
Feeling carefree and happy, as if intoxicated during a festival
Feeling drunk on Mardi gras day
Reiterating the feeling of being intoxicated and happy
Where is that scarecrow who used to walk on your arm
Asking about a past lover who used to accompany them in public
When we used to stroll down decatur street
Recalling a specific memory with the past lover
Tell me do he say how much he loves you
Asking if the past lover expresses love to the person now with them
Does he whisper how much he loves you when the trumpets start to play
Asking if the past lover expresses love during romantic moments
And the band played on
Repeating the phrase to emphasize the connection to music and New Orleans culture
The band played on
Repeating the phrase as a chorus
Yeah, the band played on
Affirming that the music of New Orleans continues despite difficult times
Sad as it may be, new orleans will be on its knees
Acknowledging the struggles of New Orleans and its people
While the band, while the band played on
Emphasizing that even during hard times, music continues to be a way of life
Baby, don't mean maybe
Assuring the person that they will return to New Orleans someday
Someday i'll come back again
Declaring the intention to return to New Orleans
When I get home to new orleans
Affirming the connection and love for the city of New Orleans
Every day gonna be peaches and cream and pecan pie
Expressing the hope for a happy and delicious life in New Orleans
Oh so sweet coming down the street
Describing the anticipation and excitement of returning to New Orleans
Lord have mercy on me
Asking for help and guidance from a higher power
So sad and sweet
Describing the bittersweet feeling of leaving and returning to New Orleans
That's what it be
Simply affirming the bittersweet feeling
I lost my new orleans
Expressing the sadness of being away from New Orleans
That's alright she'll be back again someday
Maintaining hope for the return to New Orleans
Contributed by Thomas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TheMundusvultdecipi
Man his Pistola album grew so much on me over the years. Didn't like it much at first but later on really got into it. This is such a great song, also love Stars that speak! Such a shame that the record sold so poorly.
Bonnie ́s Clyde
Powerful song. Move on, Willy!
Celeste Quezada
Love his voice. And the band played on...yeah.
MCEC Nohayluna
QUE MANERA MÁS PROPIA Y CON UNA VOZ Y FORMA DE INTERPRETAR CON TANTA PERSONALIDAD Y ES POR ESO QUE ESTE CANTANTE SE DESTACA Y ATRAPA .
conchi dominguez
Pistola... Su última bala... amazin Willy 💖
Haleakala1000
oooh I love this Loisianna-style...love the Pistola... for me one of the best from Willy DeVille..... thanks for sharing Ingrid
James Morran
at his best!