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.
Just an Illusion
BZN Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hotel Rich, champagne and caviar
but no one ever showed me the reverse
and that really hurts, Lord, it really hurts
I want you
I need you
it's the price you pay for rock'n roll
and no one understands it, how you feel
for it's so unreal, Lord, it's so unreal
refrain:
Baby, don't you cry for me
it's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what like should be
it's an illusion, just an illusion
When critics crucify your latest show
another drink and then you lose control
but then on stage I feel a fire burn
there is no return; I'm always on the run
I give it to you, babe, with all my heart
for it's not too late, Lord, it's not too late
refrain
The lyrics to BZN's song Just An Illusion depict the reality of living like a rockstar. The first verse talks about how people always speak about the luxurious lifestyle that comes with fame, but nobody ever prepares them for the downside of it all. This leaves the singer feeling hurt and disappointed. The second verse explains how the entertainment industry tries to take advantage of artists by selling their bodies and souls for fame. The singer feels misunderstood by others around him as it's a lifestyle that's so unrealistic that only those living it can truly understand what it feels like.
The chorus assures the listeners that despite everything, the rockstar lifestyle is nothing but an illusion. The singer admits to being caught up in the same illusion before coming to the realization that it was not the life he thought it would be. The bridge of the song sees the singer reflect on the duality of emotions he feels with fame. He recognizes the scrutiny that comes with the industry, but still feels the fire of excitement and passion every time he performs. Despite all the challenges, the singer sings about giving his all to his fans, hoping it's not too late to change everything.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been told 'bout living like a star
People have advised me on how to live like a famous person
Hotel Rich, champagne and caviar
The luxurious lifestyle of a successful artist
but no one ever showed me the reverse
No one ever explained the downside of fame
and that really hurts, Lord, it really hurts
The lack of guidance has caused emotional pain
I want you
I desire your companionship
I need you
I require your emotional support
They try to sell your body and you soul
People in the industry exploit artists for profit
it's the price you pay for rock'n roll
Such exploitation is seen as an expected trade-off for success in music
and no one understands it, how you feel
Others cannot comprehend the emotional toll of being an artist
for it's so unreal, Lord, it's so unreal
The experience of fame can feel surreal
Baby, don't you cry for me
Please do not pity me
it's an illusion, just an illusion
The perceived glamour of fame is misleading
I thought I knew what like should be
I believed that fame would bring happiness
When critics crucify your latest show
Negative reviews can be emotionally taxing
another drink and then you lose control
Some artists turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism
but then on stage I feel a fire burn
Performing remains a passion despite its challenges
there is no return; I'm always on the run
The pressure of maintaining success is unrelenting
I give it to you, babe, with all my heart
I perform with dedication and passion
for it's not too late, Lord, it's not too late
It's never too late to adjust an artist's lifestyle for the better
Contributed by Katherine H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@samuelkelly2197
I've been told 'bout living like a star
Hotel Ritz, champaign and caviar
But no one ever showed me the reverse
And that really hurts
Babe, it really hurts
They try to sell your body and your soul
(Babe, want you, my love, babe, want you)
It's the price you pay for rock 'n' roll
(Babe, want you, my love, babe, want you)
And no one understands it how you feel
For it's so unreal
Oh, it's so unreal
Baby, don't you cry for me
It's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what life should be
It's an illusion
Just an illusion
When critics crucify your latest show
(Babe, want you, my love, babe, want you)
Another drink and then you lose control
(Babe, want you, my love, babe, want you)
But then on stage, I feel a fire burn
There is no return
I'm always on the run
I give it to you, babe, with all my heart
(Babe, want you, my love, babe, want you)
For it's not too late
Baby, it's not too late
Baby, don't you cry for me
It's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what life should be
It's an illusion
Just an illusion
Baby, don't you cry for me
It's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what life should be
It's an illusion
Just an illusion
@LuikangLamak
[Verse 1]
I've been told 'bout living like a star
Hotel Rich, champagne and caviar
But no one ever showed me the reverse
And that really hurts, babe, it really hurts
They try to sell your body and your soul
It's the price you pay for rock'n roll
And no one understands it, how you feel
For it's so unreal, oh, it's so unreal
[Chorus]
Baby, don't you cry for me
It's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what like should be
It's an illusion, just an illusion
[Verse 2]
When critics crucify your latest show
Another drink and then you lose control
But then on stage, I feel a fire burn
There is no return; I'm always on the run
I give it to you, babe, with all my heart
For it's not too late, baby, it's not too late
[Chorus]
Baby don't you cry for me
It's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what life should be
It's an illusion, just an illusion
Baby don't you cry for me
It's an illusion, just an illusion
I thought I knew what life should be
It's an illusion, just an illusion
@peetgreyling5686
This song will never grow old. Sang so well and with passion!
@samru45
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW2ytIo90G4
@raltefamily1301
She sings with all her heart, mind and soul and the result : AMAZING !!
@ddoeser5830
Fijne Zondag geniet ervan ! 👋❤
@loukieprinsloo3530
I absolutely LOVE this version! 💝
@barnabasministry5339
A thiam thlawt...
@annamagriethaversterhouse2282
Love her voice very special will live for ever
@annamagriethaversterhouse2282
Love her voice very special will live for ever
@ObelixBarbatus
Pure, natural voice, sung with such enthusiasm, sweeping us along! Pure bliss...
@hermaharms
Wat een prachtige stem heeft Annie toch! Geweldig.