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.
The Game Called Rock And Roll
BZN Lyrics
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I recall every day of being a star
I remember all the clubs and bars, all the songs we used to play
And my dream of being number one someday.
They say you're a loser, but you won't give it up,
'cause you believe you'll make it to the top.
Oh no you can't win it all.
A long and winding road, you'll stumble and you'll fall.
We spent a lifetime rock and roll,
Oh, what a gambling game,
From honky tonks and bars, we stumbled into fame.
You've been a part of me, each night and day,
Twenty five years hand in hand, I still love you rock and roll, until the end.
They say you're a loser, but you won't give it up,
'cause you believe you'll make it to the top.
That is the game called rock and roll,
Oh no you can't win it all.
A long and winding road, you'll stumble and you'll fall.
We spent a lifetime rock and roll,
Oh, what a gambling game,
From honky tonks and bars, we stumbled into fame.
That is the game called rock and roll,
Oh no you can't win it all.
A long and winding road, you'll stumble and you'll fall.
We spent a lifetime rock and roll,
Oh, what a gambling game,
From honky tonks and bars, we stumbled into fame.
In the song "The Game Called Rock and Roll" by BZN, the lyrics reflect the story of a musician who has spent his life pursuing the dream of becoming famous, but understands that it is a difficult and unpredictable journey filled with struggles and setbacks. The lyrics describe the singer's first guitar, which is now hanging on the wall, as a silent witness to the years of playing in clubs and bars, attempting to make it as a star. The song captures the pain and passion of the rock and roll industry, where success is not guaranteed, but the pursuit is rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing you gave it your all.
The lyrics also focus on the idea that the game of rock and roll is a gamble that requires perseverance, patience, and determination to succeed. Despite being told they are losers, the musicians will not give up their dreams, believing that they will make it to the top one day. The song's chorus conveys the message that the game of rock and roll is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. The journey is long and winding, and success cannot be guaranteed. However, the gamble is worth it because it can lead to fame and fortune.
Overall, "The Game Called Rock and Roll" encapsulates the essence of the music industry and serves as a tribute to the struggles, passion, and perseverance of those who pursue the dream of becoming rock stars.
Line by Line Meaning
As a silent witness on the wall, there she hangs, my first guitar
My first guitar is a constant reminder of my journey in rock and roll. It decorates the wall in silence, but its presence is felt every day.
I recall every day of being a star
I remember every moment when I felt like a rockstar and all the attention was on me.
I remember all the clubs and bars, all the songs we used to play
I remember every gig at every small club and bar, playing my heart out and singing every song.
And my dream of being number one someday.
I always dreamed of reaching the top and becoming the most successful artist in the industry.
They say you're a loser, but you won't give it up, 'cause you believe you'll make it to the top.
People may doubt your chances of success, but it won't stop you from pursuing your dream and believing that you'll make it big.
That is the game called rock and roll, Oh no you can't win it all.
Rock and roll is a game full of unpredictable twists and turns, and it's impossible to come out as a winner every single time.
A long and winding road, you'll stumble and you'll fall.
The path to success in rock and roll is full of obstacles and challenges, and failure is inevitable along the way.
We spent a lifetime rock and roll, Oh, what a gambling game, From honky tonks and bars, we stumbled into fame.
Our lives have been dedicated entirely to rock and roll, which can be a risky and unpredictable career. But even starting in small honky tonks and bars, we managed to make our way into the limelight of fame.
You've been a part of me, each night and day, Twenty five years hand in hand, I still love you rock and roll, until the end.
Rock and roll has been an inseparable part of my life for 25 years, accompanying me every single day and night. And even till the end, I still have a deep love and passion for it that will never fade away.
Contributed by Abigail F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.