Normaal plays blues rock, sometimes interrupted by cheesy ballads based on folk music (like "Ik mos pissen" and "Deurdonderen"). Their trademark however is their lyrics, in the dialect of the Achterhoek, about rural life and dislike of any music but true rock 'n' roll. When Normaal first performed, singing in Dutch was highly unusual for a rock band, and singing in dialect just flabbergasted the crowds. Many rural youths were struck by the attitude the band propagated: work like a man during the day, drink like a man at night, and do this all on the countryside.
Their music became known as 'boerenrock' ("farmers' rock"). Their concerts are famous for their wild 'traditions'. Traditions like throwing beer and wild mosh-pits at the front. This wild behavior has been referred to as 'brekken', 'høken', 'angaon' and 'daldeejen' by the band, words of the Achterhoek dialect used with a new meaning. Fans of Normaal are called 'høkers' or 'anhangers' - the latter just being Achterhoek dialect for 'fan'.
The song "Oerend hard" (1977) is considered a nederpop classic/anthem.
Over the last years, Bennie Jolink has been plagued by asthma, forcing the band to take on a more quiet way of touring. They frequently play in theatres now.
Oerend hard
Normaal Lyrics
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Ik zegge aah (aah)
Ik zegge oeh (oeh)
Oeh (oeh)
Oehoe oehoerend hard
Kwamen zie doar aangescheurd
Oehoe oehoerend hard
Want zie hadden van de motorcross geheurd
Langzaam rijen dat deeen zie nooit
Dat vonden zie toch maar tied verknooid
Bertus op zien Norton
En Tinus op de BSA
Noar de motorcross op het Hengelse Zand
De hoender en de vrouwe
Die stoven aan de kant
Bertus op zien Norton
En Tinus op de BSA
Zie gingen oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
Zie gingen oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
Oehoe oehoerend hard
Scheurden zie noa de cross naar hun huus
Oehoe oehoerend hard
Want dan waren zie eerder thuus
Zie hadden alderbastend gein gehad
Zie waren allebei een heel klein beetjen zat
Bertus op zien Norton en Tinus op de BSA
An 't gevoar hadden zie nog nooit gedacht
Zie waren koning op de weg en dachten, alles mag
Bertus op zien Norton en Tinus op de BSA
Zie gingen oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
Zie gingen oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
Maar zoals altied kwam an dat gejakker een end
Deur 'n zatte kearl die de snelheid van een motor niet kent
Bertus rij d'r op en Tinus kwam d'r vlak achteran
En iedereen die zei, van die leu heur i-j nooit meer wat van
Zie gingen nooit, nee nee nooit
Nooit meer oerend hard
Zie gingen nooit, nee nee nooit
Nooit meer oerend hard
Maar wie goat oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
Maar wie goat oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
En wie goat oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
En wie goat oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
En wie goat oeh, oehoe oehoe
Oehoe oehoe oehoerend hard
The song "Oerend Hard" by Normaal is about two friends, Bertus and Tinus, who are racing on their motorcycles to the motorcross on Hengelse Zand. They are driving at breakneck speeds, having a great time, and not paying attention to the danger they are putting themselves and others in. They encounter many obstacles on the way, such as chickens and women, but they get through them. After the motorcross, they try to drive home while still intoxicated, but unfortunately, their reckless driving leads to a terrible accident. The song ends with the message that they will never drive recklessly again.
The lyrics of "Oerend Hard" are a fun celebration of reckless driving and the thrills that come with it. However, it also serves as a warning of the dangers of such behavior. The song gives insight into the mindset of those who engage in this kind of activity and the consequences that can arise from it. The repetition of "oeh" and "aah" adds to the excitement and energy of the song, making it a popular and beloved Dutch classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Ik zegge oeh (oeh)
Expression of excitement and anticipation
Ik zegge aah (aah)
Expression of amazement and wonder
Oehoe oehoerend hard
Refers to the sound of the motorcycle engine speeding up
Kwamen zie doar aangescheurd
They came speeding down the road
Want zie hadden van de motorcross geheurd
They had heard about the motorcross race and wanted to attend
Dat vonden zie toch maar tied verknooid
They felt like driving slowly was a waste of time
Naar de motorcross op het Hengelse Zand
They were heading to a motorcross race taking place on the Hengelse Zand
De hoender en de vrouwe die stoven aan de kant
The chickens and the women fled to the side of the road as they approached
Zie gingen oeh, oehoe oehoe
They were making the sound of the motorcycle engine as they sped down the road
Scheurden zie noa de cross naar hun huus
They raced back home after the cross had ended
Zie hadden alderbastend gein gehad
They had a lot of fun
Zie waren allebei een heel klein beetjen zat
They were both a little drunk
An 't gevoar hadden zie nog nooit gedacht
They had never considered the danger of their actions
Zie gingen nooit, nee nee nooit
They never went as fast again after their accident
Maar wie goat oeh, oehoe oehoe
Despite their accident, they still enjoy motorcycling
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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