BZN started out as a pop-rock band in their native Volendam in 1966, playin… Read Full Bio ↴BZN started out as a pop-rock band in their native Volendam in 1966, playing early-Bee Gees-like harmony pop. The initial line-up consisted of Jan Veerman (vocals), Cees Tol (guitar), Evert Woestenburg (guitar) Jan Tuyp (bass guitar) and Gerrit Woestenburg (drums).

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.

Yellow Rose
BZN Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Th. Tol/J. Tuijp/C. Tol)

So bad to see
That some people like me
Sometimes have nothing
But the aid that they need

Chained for a word

That was not to be heard
Race or religion or their willing to be
People got to be free

Everyone needs some love and emotion
Freedom for all in so many ways
So hope and say
Someday we all
Will live in a world of peace everyday

Like every yellow rose in spring
And all the songs that we may sing
Like a chanson d'amour
Il faut la liberté

Like every yellow rose in spring
And all the songs that we may sing
Like a chanson d'amour
Il faut la liberté

Still everyday
Some are loosing their names
Changed for a number
For their willing to be
Free like you and like me

Everyone needs some love and emotion
Freedom for all in so many ways
So hope and say
Someday we all
Will live in a world of peace everyday

Like every yellow rose in spring
And all the songs that we may sing
Like a chanson d'amour
Il faut la liberté

Like every yellow rose in spring
And all the songs that we may sing

Like a chanson d'amour
Il faut la liberté

Overall Meaning

The song, "Yellow Rose," by Dutch band BZN, is a moving commentary on the importance of freedom, love, and peace for everyone. The opening lines speak to the unfortunate reality that some people, like the singer, sometimes have nothing but the aid they need. The next lines refer to people being chained for speaking their minds or for their race, religion, or willingness to be themselves. The song's main message is that people should be free to be themselves and that everyone needs love and freedom.

The song has a beautiful melody that is complemented by the lyrics. The chorus speaks to the beautiful things in life: "Like every yellow rose in spring, and all the songs that we may sing, like a chanson d'amour, il faut la liberté" ("we need freedom"). The yellow rose symbolizes hope and new beginnings, while the chanson d'amour is a symbol of unity and love.

The lyrics of "Yellow Rose" resonate with listeners because they touch on fundamental human needs, including freedom and love. It is a song that speaks not only to the present day but also to the future. The song's message is clear: In an ideal world, everyone should be free to be who they are, and there should be peace and love for all.

Line by Line Meaning

So bad to see
It's unfortunate to witness

That some people like me
Individuals similar to myself

Sometimes have nothing
Occasionally lack necessities

But the aid that they need
Require assistance

Chained for a word
Restricted due to expression

That was not to be heard
Unacceptable for others to listen to

Race or religion or their willing to be
Their ethnic background or spiritual beliefs or choice

People got to be free
Individuals deserve to be liberated

Everyone needs some love and emotion
All people require affection and feeling

Freedom for all in so many ways
Liberty should be granted in numerous forms

So hope and say
Believe and express