Comprising vocalist Carol Van Dyk (vocals), Peter Visser (guitar), Herman Bunskoeke (bass) and Berend Dubbe (drums) they originally formed in 1986 as a side-project of De Artsen. After De Artsen split up in 1990, Bettie Serveert became a full-time project. Bettie Serveert released their debut album Palomine in 1992, which, fifteen years after its release, is still a modern indie rock classic, wonderfully blending together influences of Velvet Underground and Neil Young with melancholic lyrics, catchy tunes and a lo-fi-feel.
After releasing the full-length albums Lamprey (1995), Dust Bunnies (1997) and the Velvet Underground cover album Venus In Furs (1998), drummer Berend Dubbe decided to leave because of musical disagreements. He started his own samplepop-project: Bauer, receiving critical acclaim in Holland and Belgium. Various drummers took the place of Dubbe on the albums that followed (Private Suit, Log 22, Attagirl and Bare Stripped Naked). During most gigs, Gino Geudens of Belgian nineties power pop band Metal Molly, plays the drums.
For the 30th anniversary of Palomine, which is generally considered their best album, there was a re-release on Matador and a tour in 2023.
Deny All
Bettie Serveert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What for?
There's a demon lurking at your door
He said beware
I'm gonna get you when I find you there
You've got to make a choice, that's your life
How many times did it pass you by?
Don't say that you don't understand
Deny all (if you cut it like that)
Decide
Tout de suite
There's a dragon lying at your feet
She said beware
I'm gonna get you when I find you there
But you know it's such a lie, so obscene
How many times did you have that dream?
Now grab it by the throat, grab it while you can
Don't say that you don't understand
Deny all (if you cut it like that)
Tell me what you want
Don't be shy now
The lyrics to "Deny All" by Bettie Serveert are about facing one's fears and making a choice about one's life. The opening lines address someone who is scared, asking them why they are afraid. The demon lurking at the person's door serves as a metaphor for their fears, and they are warned to beware of it because it will try to prevent them from living their life to the fullest. However, the person is encouraged to make a choice and not let life pass them by. The imagery of grabbing life by the throat is a powerful metaphor for seizing opportunities and not letting them slip away.
The second verse picks up where the first left off, but with a different metaphor - this time, there is a dragon lying at the person's feet. Once again, the person is told to beware of it, but this time they know it's a lie. Perhaps the person has faced their fears and come out victorious, or perhaps they have realized that fear is not always based on reality. Regardless, the message is the same: grab life by the throat and don't let it slip away.
The chorus repeats the phrase "deny all," suggesting that the person should reject anything that stands in the way of their dreams or aspirations. The song ends with a plea for the person to speak up and tell the world what they want, encouraging them to not be shy about their desires.
Overall, "Deny All" is a powerful anthem about facing one's fears and seizing opportunities. The use of metaphor throughout the song adds depth and richness to the lyrics, and the chorus reinforces the message that the person should not let anything stand in the way of their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
You're scared
You are feeling frightened
What for?
What is causing your fear?
There's a demon lurking at your door
You feel like there is a dangerous presence near you
He said beware
Someone warned you about the danger
I'm gonna get you when I find you there
You feel like the danger is going to harm you when it finds you
You've got to make a choice, that's your life
You have to make important decisions that affect your life
How many times did it pass you by?
How many opportunities did you miss?
Grab it by the throat, grab it while you can
Seize the opportunity with determination
Don't say that you don't understand
Do not claim ignorance or lack of understanding
Deny all (if you cut it like that)
Reject everything that holds you back
Decide
Make a choice
Tout de suite
Immediately
There's a dragon lying at your feet
There is a big obstacle in your way
She said beware
Someone warned you about the danger
I'm gonna get you when I find you there
You feel like the danger is going to harm you when it finds you
But you know it's such a lie, so obscene
You know that the danger is not real, it is a false threat
How many times did you have that dream?
How many times have you imagined this scenario?
Now grab it by the throat, grab it while you can
Seize the opportunity with determination
Don't say that you don't understand
Do not claim ignorance or lack of understanding
Deny all (if you cut it like that)
Reject everything that holds you back
Tell me what you want
Express your desires
Don't be shy now
Do not hesitate to speak up
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Monstruosa van Buren
Bettie strikes back! Great track, fine vid, brilliant band.
Joey Figgiani
Great video. Fun rocking tune. That drummer kills it. Wow.
smithsmozz smiths
Muito bom!!!!
garion333
Wow. Didn't know they were still making music.
OhGoodAFarce
I like the random strawberries! :p BTW "Calling (XL Version)" off the DA EP is amazing. Reminds me of "Sundazed To The Core". Only, possibly better.
kowalsky47
Rock on Herman !!! cool nummer.
Penny
Gister live @ Plato Groningen!
Marijn Kok
wat gaaf!, ik wordt per direct, met terugwerkende kracht fan ;D
Marijn Kok
@princesskellysue no, they aren't Bettie Serveert is a dutch name. And the members of the band come from Holland, Bettie Serveert are a Dutch indie-rock band. Their name translates to "Bettie Serves," and is taken from a Dutch television program, hosted by Dutch tennis player Betty Stöve, who made it to the Wimbledon Ladies singles final in 1977.
Brinta
Marijn Kok
It wasn’t a television programme, but a four-part series of instructional books written by Betty Stöve: Betty Serveert - Basistechnieken. Image google it; there are some pictures of the books on the internet.
And to be precise, the text was written by two other people, but based on her knowledge as a tennis player and instructor.