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.
White Trash Girl
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her brother broke my nose
Mama carries a Bowie knife
Little sister don't wear no clothes
My family says she's no good
And why do I go back
To my white trash girl
Uncle Henry was arrested last night
Out on main street on a wig
Her brother Jimmy scratches his arm
And says he needs to get it fixed
My family says she's no good
And why do I go back
To my white trash girl
From the wrong side of the railroad tracks
She's got no table manners
Never been around the world
She's got no education
She's my white trash girl
Grandaddy robbed 15 banks
From Kansas to Missouri
Grandma always locks the door
And says Big Boy what's your hurry
My family says she's no good
And why do I go back
To my white trash girl
From the wrong side of the railroad tracks
She's got no table manners
Never been around the world
She's got no education
She's my white trash girl
She's my white trash girl
From the wrong side of the railroad tracks
She's my white trash girl
From the wrong side of the tracks
She's my white trash girl
From the wrong side of the tracks
My white trash girl
From the wrong side of the tracks
Willy DeVille's White Trash Girl is a song about a man's love for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, despised by his family and society. The girl's family members are depicted as shady individuals involved with criminal activities such as robbery and violence. The lyrics paint a vivid image of the social background of the girl, from her uneducated background to her lack of table manners to her little sister's nudity. Despite all these shortcomings, the singer persists in his love for her, despite repeatedly being warned against her by his family.
At its core, the song is a powerful commentary on social class and the struggles of society's outcasts. The girl's family is described as being part of the Ku Klux Klan, a notorious white supremacist group in America. Her uncle's arrest for an unknown crime and the brother's scratches indicate that they seem to be associated with drugs. Despite her alleged shortcomings, the singer finds himself drawn to her, attracted by her raw and unbridled energy.
Overall, White Trash Girl is a poignant and thought-provoking song about societal prejudices and the futility of trying to resist the pull of the heart. Despite everyone else's objections to the relationship, the singer remains loyal and committed to his white trash girl, from the wrong side of the railroad tracks.
Line by Line Meaning
Her daddy's in the Ku Klux Klan
Her father is a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist hate group.
Her brother broke my nose
Her brother physically assaulted the singer, causing him to sustain a broken nose.
Mama carries a Bowie knife
Her mother carries a Bowie knife, a large, heavy-duty type of knife that is often associated with violence and danger.
Little sister don't wear no clothes
Her younger sister does not wear clothing, suggesting a lack of modesty or adherence to societal norms.
My family says she's no good
The artist's family disapproves of his relationship with the girl and views her negatively.
And why do I go back
The singer is aware that his relationship with the girl is frowned upon but continues to engage with her despite this opposition.
To my white trash girl
The singer is referring to the girl as 'white trash', a derogatory term used to describe individuals from a lower socio-economic class or perceived to have low cultural value.
From the wrong side of the railroad tracks
The girl is from a socially disadvantaged or marginalized community on the opposite side of the tracks, historically associated with segregation and racial division.
Uncle Henry was arrested last night
The girl's uncle was arrested the previous night, suggesting a history of criminal activity or association with individuals who engage in criminal behavior.
Out on main street on a wig
The specifics of the uncle's arrest are not clear, but it occurred on the main street and may involve drug use or trafficking, as the term 'wig' can refer to a drug-induced state.
Her brother Jimmy scratches his arm
The girl's brother engages in self-injury by scratching his arm, possibly indicating a struggle with addiction or mental health issues.
And says he needs to get it fixed
The brother acknowledges the harm he is causing to himself and expresses a desire to seek help or treatment.
She's got no table manners
The girl does not adhere to traditional dining etiquette or societal norms regarding proper behavior at the table.
Never been around the world
The girl lacks exposure to other cultures and experiences outside of her own, likely due to a lack of financial resources or education.
She's got no education
The girl has not received a formal education, possibly due to a lack of resources, family support, or other factors.
She's my white trash girl
The artist takes ownership of his relationship with the girl, referring to her as 'his', despite the negative connotations associated with the term 'white trash'.
From the wrong side of the railroad tracks
Reiterating that the girl is from a marginalized community or lower socio-economic class.
My white trash girl
The singer continues to refer to the girl as 'his', despite the disapproval of his family and societal stigma attached to the term 'white trash'.
From the wrong side of the tracks
Emphasizing the separation between the singer's own privileged background and the girl's disadvantaged upbringing.
She's my white trash girl
The artist affirms his connection to the girl and chooses to define her with a label that is often used to denigrate and marginalize individuals from her background.
Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
janice johnson
OMG!! I LOVE WILLY DeVILLE & WHEN I FIRST HEARD HIM, HE HAD BEEN DEAD FOR 4 YEARS! BUT THAT'S OK NOW HE SINGS TO MY MOM! GOD BLESS YOU WILLY DeVILLE!! JJ
Lynn Webber
I discovered him even more recently, and this 74 year old woman is obsessed!
conchi dominguez
Fantástic Fantástic WILLY 😎🎸🎶
conchi dominguez
Willy forever, forever forever 🎶🎸
T Bruins
Fucking good !!!
DUANE ANDERSON
take you there and back again . thank mr mink
Irene Neurauter
💔 sweet willy ... have your gigs in haven
chaunez kalk
Where was his genre? Pretty much all over. So, very talented. But our heads often get so full of ourselves. Then, your life service, gets twisted. Don't call the kettle black!
Francois Froge
♥♥♥