Before he started his solo career, he was in indie rock band The Junes, and he was in the band of the popular Dutch singer Ilse deLange.
Signed to the 8Ball record label, Bertolf released his first album For Life in early 2009, followed the next year by Snakes And Ladders. 2012 saw the release of the epnymous Bertolf album. 2015's First & Then was his final album for 8Ball.
Between 2014 and 2018 a large chunk of Bertolf's time was devoted to touring as a member of the tribute band, Her Majesty. Named after the closing track of The Beatles' Abbey Road album, they especially gained prominence when they started performing the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (and other artists from their scene), to rave reviews in the Dutch press.
In the mean time, Bertolf signed with Excelsior Recordings, where his fifth and sixth solo albums were issued: the somewhat gloomy Big Shadows of Small Things (2019) and the very sunny, colorful, upbeat and particularly well-received Happy in Hindsight (2021).
patty lane
Bertolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know what's gotten into me
Lightening struck but there's no thunder
I wonder when it's going to be
Well I know I shouldn't do this
But I don't feel I have a choice
I don't seem to listen to me
Even if I raise my voice
I tried to tell myself: Please do be careful
Try to stop before your heart breaks
Cause it makes no sense at all
Will only cause me pain
No, I really shouldn't fall in love with Patty Lane
Oooh, oooh, oooh
I tried to tell myself: Please do be careful,
Try to stop before your heart breaks.
Cause it makes no sense at all,
Will only cause me pain
No, I really shouldn't fall in love with Patty Lane
The lyrics to Bertolf's song "Patty Lane" describe the feeling of being under a spell of infatuation with a woman named Patty Lane. The singer expresses confusion over what has gotten into him and wonders when he will snap out of it. Despite knowing that he shouldn't fall in love with Patty Lane, he feels like he doesn't have a choice in the matter and can't seem to listen to his own warning.
The chorus of the song reveals that the singer has tried to caution himself to be careful and to avoid falling in love with Patty Lane, acknowledging that it will only cause him pain. He repeats this message, emphasizing that it makes no sense and that he really shouldn't be in love with her.
The lyrics evoke a sense of helplessness and surrender to the power of love, even when it seems like a bad idea. Overall, "Patty Lane" is a catchy and relatable song about the feeling of being swept away by a strong attraction, despite rational thoughts telling us otherwise.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what spell I'm under
I am unable to understand the magic that has taken over me.
Don't know what's gotten into me
I am unaware of what has entered inside of me.
Lightening struck but there's no thunder
Something significant took place, but nothing seems to echo the impact or consequences.
I wonder when it's going to be
I question when this event, feeling, or realization will occur or come to an end.
Well I know I shouldn't do this
I am aware that what I am about to do is unwise or wrong.
But I don't feel I have a choice
Despite that, I feel like I have no other option but to do it.
I don't seem to listen to me
I am not able to heed my own advice or follow my own will.
Even if I raise my voice
Even if I try to be assertive, I cannot compel myself to comply.
I tried to tell myself: Please do be careful
I made an effort to warn myself and caution me.
Try to stop before your heart breaks
I advised myself to pause before my emotions get hurt and before I become vulnerable.
Cause it makes no sense at all
As it seems irrational, there's no reasonable explanation or justification for this feeling.
Will only cause me pain
It will result in me being hurt or suffering.
No, I really shouldn't fall in love with Patty Lane
I conclude that it's unwise to develop romantic feelings towards Patty Lane and decide to refrain from doing so.
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
HorizonScanner
I never expected that there would ever come along anybody quite like Bertolf - a genius songwriter, adept at many styles, a brilliant multi-instrumentalist and singer - all with a musical palette that touches upon so many of my musical preferences from Beatles to Bluegrass to Brady & Irvine, but also U2 and Coldplay. He has an EXCELLENT band, but he really shines when it's just himself and his guitar. The Dutch have good reason to be proud of their musicians.
koentje3006
Hoe dit prachtige nummer zo onbekend blijft, is echt een raadsel
Len Luzano
still listening to it today July 4, 2020
Bertolt music never gets old.
Tim Meyer Music
My goodness this is a beautiful song and sentiment and singing
emilio jansen
Ik verbaas me iedere keer weer over onze Bertolf....wat een talent...En wat fijn dat de Beatles als een rode draad door zijn leven lopen...ik bedoel Patty Lane( Penny lane), Mr.Light (Mr. moonlight) Martha my dear...etc. Vooral dat laatste is zo goed gedaan...Geweldige muzikant en een toffe gast volgens mij....groet.
Frank Mark
in 1 woord : fantastisch onvoorstelbaar goed nummer en geweldige uitvoering
Rico Belled
Just beautiful!
SlowStriderCover
Awesome song. Pretty hard to play (for me) but I am slowly getting there after practising it a few hours for a few weeks...
MyMarijke
Hij is super.. :D Ik ben echt helemaal gek van hem sinds hij bij Ilse de Lange in het Gelredome kwam zingen. Super!!!
StEvelien
Prachtig!