In the early Seventies, the band switched to hard rock and had its first successes, including a brace of Top 40 hits. After original singer Veerman left and drummer Keizer took his place behind the microphone, the band made a musical U-turn and opted for commercial radio pop, adding female co-vocalist Annie Schilder and laying the foundation for their status as the most popular Dutch band ever (in terms of hit singles and albums). BZN has had over 50 hits in the Dutch hit parade to date.
BZN's claim to fame started with the song "Mon Amour" (1976), which held the #1 hit parade ranking for over 5 weeks. Outside of the Netherlands the band has had some success as well, amongst which several hits in South Africa (such as "Yeppa" in 1990) and minor successes with their French-language songs in Canada.
Through the years there have been many lineup changes, the most important of which have been the departure of Schilder in 1984 (replaced by Carola Smit) and in 1988 of the brothers Cees and Thomas Tol (keyboards), who until then had been responsible for most of the music and lyrics. The band remained nevertheless successful, making their last major change in strategy when they decided to write in Dutch instead of English as of 2003.
BZN are also responsible for the initial success of singer Jan Smit (singer), who was discovered by BZN at the age of 10 and went on to have pop and schlager successes in The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
On February 15 2006, BZN announced they would do one final tour and then call it quits. This goodbye tour is scheduled to last until June 2007.
I Won't Change My Life
BZN Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Th. Tol/J. Tuijp/C. Tol)
(ha-a-ha, ha-a-ha, ha-a-ha, ha)
Well I was just a poor boy
And you were just a queen
But I had lost my senses
You took me to the races
You gambled with a smile
Around were humble faces
And I was just a lonely guy
But I won't change my life
If that is what you're waiting for
I would never compromise
For a penny and a dime
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na
(ha-a-ha, ha-a-ha, ha-a-ha, ha)
And now I see you wonder
About the things you've done
That I don't wanna stumble
I guess that's what you want me too
I need no admiration
I need no fancy smile
I once gave you two inches
But then you took another mile
So I won't change my life
If that is what you're waiting for
I would never compromise
For a penny and a dime
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na-na-na
The lyrics of "I Won't Change My Life" by BZN describe a relationship between a poor boy and a queen. The boy had lost his senses when the queen was teasing him, and she took him to the races where she gambled with a smile. The boy was just a lonely guy in the middle of humble faces. The song suggests that the queen's actions have made the boy question her intentions, and he doesn't want to stumble. The boy indicates that he won't change his life even if it's what the queen is waiting for. He would never compromise for a penny and a dime. The lyrics show the boy's determination and assertiveness, stating that he doesn't need any admiration or fancy smile.
The song showcases the idea that people shouldn't change themselves for others' sake. It seems like the queen in the song is trying to make the boy change something about himself. However, the boy has realized that he won't compromise his identity for anyone. Instead, he stands up for himself and his values.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't change my life
I am determined not to alter or modify my way of living
(ha-a-ha, ha-a-ha, ha-a-ha, ha)
Instrumental
Well I was just a poor boy
In the past, I was living in poverty
And you were just a queen
At that time, you were in a position of authority or power
But I had lost my senses
I was emotionally confused or disoriented
When you were only teasin' me
You were playing with my feelings or emotions and not being serious
You took me to the races
You went with me to the horse races
You gambled with a smile
You took a risk cheerfully or confidently
Around were humble faces
People there seemed modest and unassuming
And I was just a lonely guy
I was feeling isolated and alone
But I won't change my life
Regardless of any events that have transpired, I am still going to be who I am
If that is what you're waiting for
You may be expecting me to make changes, but I have no intention of doing so
I would never compromise
I would never settle for something of lesser value
For a penny and a dime
I won't compromise my life for a small amount of money
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Instrumental
And now I see you wonder
I can see that you are uncertain or worried about something
About the things you've done
You are concerned about your actions or behaviors
That I don't wanna stumble
I do not want to make mistakes or falter because of your actions
I guess that's what you want me too
Perhaps that is what you desire me to do
I need no admiration
I do not require praise, approval, or admiration from others
I need no fancy smile
I am not concerned with superficial or insincere expressions of happiness
I once gave you two inches
I extended myself or went out of my way for you at one point
But then you took another mile
However, you took advantage of my kindness and took much more than I was willing to give
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Instrumental
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Instrumental
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Instrumental
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.