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.
Who Shot the La-La
Willy DeVille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44.
Who ever shot him run out that door ?
Everybody turned and looked at me
Lord, I shook my head, I said : 'No, sorry, (no, sorry)'.
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44.
The only kind of fellow that pulled me down
Threw away the keys to his standing ground
If you would lift it to me, I say what I'd do
I'd throw away the keys to the sea so blue, and the sea's so blue.
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44.
Theres only three fellas who'd do a thing like that
High Head, Jo Round and Abazone John
If I hear anything, I'm gonna let you know
I don't believe in shooting no 44, tell me.
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44.
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44, yeah.
(Who shot the la-la, I don't know) yeah
(Who shot the la-la, I don't know) I don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44.
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
But I know it was a 44, yeah.
In Willy DeVille's song "Who Shot the La-La," the singer is asking for information about a crime. He asks, "Who shot the la-la?" which is likely a euphemism for someone who has been killed or injured. The singer then goes on to suggest that it was done with a .44 caliber weapon. He denies any involvement and mentions three other people who could have been responsible: High Head, Jo Round, and Abazone John.
The lyrics convey a sense of mystery and intrigue as the listeners are left wondering who actually committed the crime. It also has a slightly ominous tone with the mention of a .44 caliber weapon, which are known for their power and ability to cause significant damage.
Overall, "Who Shot the La-La" is a classic example of a murder ballad, a type of song that depicts a fictional or real-life murder in a narrative style. Such songs have been a part of various musical genres, from folk to rock and roll, and often serve as a commentary on society or morality.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey fellas
Addressing a group of individuals
I wanna know
Expressing the desire to obtain information
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Uninformed about the identity of the person who shot the la-la
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Reiterating one's lack of knowledge about the shooter of the la-la
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Continuing to express one's ignorance about the identity of the la-la shooter
But I know it was a 44.
Certain that the weapon used to shoot the la-la was a 44 caliber firearm
Who ever shot him run out that door?
Asking if the person who shot the la-la fled the scene of the crime
All I know that it was a 44
Reiterating one's knowledge about the weapon used in the shooting
Everybody turned and looked at me
Drawing attention to how others reacted to the question
Lord, I shook my head, I said : 'No, sorry, (no, sorry).'
Denying any involvement in the incident
The only kind of fellow that pulled me down
Referring to an individual who negatively affected oneself
Threw away the keys to his standing ground
Gave up control over something that was previously under their power
If you would lift it to me, I say what I'd do
Stating what one would do if given the power to change the situation
I'd throw away the keys to the sea so blue, and the sea's so blue.
Metaphorically expressing the desire to rid oneself of negative feelings or experiences
Theres only three fellas who'd do a thing like that
Speculating that only three individuals would be capable of committing the shooting
High Head, Jo Round and Abazone John
Naming the three individuals who are suspected of having committed the shooting
If I hear anything, I'm gonna let you know
Offering to share information if any becomes available
I don't believe in shooting no 44, tell me.
Expressing disbelief in using a 44 caliber firearm to shoot someone
(Who shot the la-la, I don't know) yeah
Repeating uncertainty about the identity of the shooter
(Who shot the la-la, I don't know) I don't know
Reiterating uncertainty about the shooter's identity
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Remaining uninformed about the identity of the shooter
But I know it was a 44.
Maintaining certainty about the type of firearm used in the shooting
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Reiterating prior statements about one's lack of knowledge about the shooter
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Continuing to express uncertainty about the identity of the shooter
But I know it was a 44, yeah.
Maintaining certainty about the type of firearm used in the shooting
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Reiterating uncertainty about the shooter's identity
Who shot the la-la, I just don't know
Stating repeated uncertainty about the shooter's identity
Who shot the la-la, I don't know
Repeating one's lack of knowledge about the identity of the shooter
But I know it was a 44, yeah.
Standing firm in one's belief that the weapon used was a 44 caliber firearm
Contributed by Jonathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.