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.
She's A Queen
BZN Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(D. Plat/J. Veerman/J. Keizer/J. Tuijp)
The darkness was creeping away
It fled from the sun, as it rose upon the view
In this morning light, by the riverside
In the ghetto, she was born
'Cause they're in dire need
From the cradle to the grave
So the road was long, but her spirit strong
And she fought her way to fame
She would never give in, and never lay down
She became the talk of every town
She's a queen, a revelation
(She's a queen, a revelation)
Winner in a tug o'war
(She's a winner in a tug o'war)
She got fortune, she got fame
Neon lights calling her name
She isn't hard up anymore
She's a queen in magic glory
(She's a queen in magic glory)
There's no legend to compare
(And there is no legend to compare)
She got fortune, she got fame
Neon lights calling her name
For many years to come
She got up and rose to the crisis
No, she didn't care, and she never looked behind
So the road was long, and her spirit strong
And she fought her way to fame
She would never give in, and never lay down
She became the talk of every town
She's a queen, a revelation
(She's a queen, a revelation)
Winner in a tug o'war
(She's a winner in a tug o'war)
She got fortune, she got fame
Neon lights calling her name
She isn't hard up anymore
She's a queen in magic glory
(She's a queen in magic glory)
There's no legend to compare
(And there is no legend to compare)
She got fortune, she got fame
Neon lights calling her name
For many years to come
She got fortune, she got fame
Neon lights calling her name
For many years to come
The song "She's a Queen" by BZN is a tribute to a woman who rises from humble beginnings and fights her way to the top to become a successful and celebrated figure. The opening lines describe the morning light by the riverside where the woman was born, but also mention that she was born in the ghetto. The song details her struggles and determination to make it in the world, emphasizing her strength of spirit. Despite facing difficult circumstances, she never gave up and, eventually, achieved fame, fortune, and a place in the public consciousness.
The repeated refrain, "She's a queen, a revelation," emphasizes the majesty of this woman and her accomplishments. The song also mentions her success in a "tug o'war," indicating that she had to contend with others who were trying to pull her down. However, she emerged victorious because of her perseverance and hard work. This success brought her not only fortune and fame, but also a sense of freedom, as the lyrics state that she "isn't hard up anymore." The final lines of the song suggest that her legacy will endure for many years to come, as neon lights continue to call her name.
Overall, "She's a Queen" is a moving tribute to a woman who overcame adversity and achieved great success in her life. As the song shows, her story is an inspiration to others to keep fighting and never give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
She's a queen
The woman being described is of remarkable character and exceptional leadership skills.
The darkness was creeping away
The unpleasant and unfavorable circumstances that surrounded her were dissipating and not having an effect on her anymore.
It fled from the sun, as it rose upon the view
As the day became brighter, her life started to get better and the negativity around her dissipated.
In this morning light, by the riverside
She was born into unfortunate conditions and background, but gradually made her way out of there.
In the ghetto, she was born
Her start in life was from a disadvantaged background and a difficult environment.
It's labour lost on the wildside
The environment and surroundings were not favorable for growth and progress, which made efforts seem wasted.
'Cause they're in dire need
Her circumstances and those around her needed justification and immediate care.
From the cradle to the grave
From birth to death, she has had to grow and survive in a difficult environment and circumstances.
So the road was long, but her spirit strong
Although her circumstances were challenging, her inner strength kept her going despite the obstacles she faced.
And she fought her way to fame
She had to work hard to achieve her goals and fight through difficult times to get to the top.
She would never give in, and never lay down
She refused to be defeated and gave everything she had to achieve her goals.
She became the talk of every town
Her success and achievements were widely recognized and admired, and she became well-known everywhere.
She's a queen, a revelation
Her presence is remarkable, and people are inspired by her character and achievements.
Winner in a tug o'war
She has come out on top despite facing challenging situations and environments.
She got fortune, she got fame
She has achieved success and recognition for her hard work and accomplishments.
Neon lights calling her name
Her success has made her a public figure, and her name and efforts are widely recognized and praised.
She isn't hard up anymore
She is no longer living in difficult circumstances and can enjoy her well-deserved success.
She's a queen in magic glory
Her success is extraordinary and supernatural, and she is revered for her achievements.
There's no legend to compare
Her accomplishments and success are unmatched, and she is the greatest of all time in the eyes of those around her.
For many years to come
Her legacy and success will continue to be celebrated and remembered for a long time.
Contributed by Audrey A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.