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.
Under the Surface
Bettie Serveert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And still stay where you are
You could wait until the right time
Resolve to make or mar
People tell you what they know
They're mostly wrong from the word go
It's under the surface and it's up in the sky
The lines are old yet still not weakened
You don't know what to do
'Cause everyone else around is sleeping
The choice is up to you
Now you better watch out what you're saying
These words could cut like swords
You better watch out while you're praying
Find out what you're praying for
People tell you what they know
They're mostly wrong from the word go
'Cause it's under the surface and it's up in the sky
That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try
It's so unexpected, now how could it be true
I never would detect it if it hadn't been for you
Now I got this notion and it's bottled up inside
A swamp of emotions there's no need to hide
It's under the surface and it's up in the sky
That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try
Bettie Serveert's song "Under the Surface" is an introspective take on the complex nature of truth and self-discovery. The song starts with the assertion that even if one were to travel for a lifetime, they may still not truly move forward in their journey. The lyrics suggest that the search for truth and purpose is not something that can be attained through a simple physical journey or by waiting for the "right time." The singer implies that people may give advice and share their knowledge, but their understanding is often flawed.
The chorus of the song drives home the idea that what we search for is not necessarily something that can be attained through external means. The truth is "under the surface and it's up in the sky," meaning that what we are looking for may be hidden, intangible, or simply beyond our grasp. The song encourages us not to waste our time attempting to reach for something that is ultimately unattainable.
The second half of the song changes direction and focuses on the emotions and choices that can complicate our search for truth. The singer warns us to be careful with our words and to pay attention to our prayers, because they may reveal more about ourselves than we would like. The final verse suggests that the discovery of a deeper truth can be surprising and unexpected, but it is ultimately something that we should embrace and not hide away.
Overall, "Under the Surface" is a poignant reminder that truth and purpose are not always easy to find and that our search for these things requires introspection and awareness of the limitations of our external circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
You could travel for a lifetime
You could spend your whole life searching
And still stay where you are
And still not find what you're looking for
You could wait until the right time
You might think the answer will come at the perfect moment
Resolve to make or mar
Believing your choice can either make or break your situation
People tell you what they know
Others share what they think, but that doesn't mean it's true
They're mostly wrong from the word go
Their opinions are usually incorrect from the start
It's under the surface and it's up in the sky
The answer is hidden and complex
That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try
It can't be obtained, so stop trying
The lines are old yet still not weakened
The problem persists despite being long-standing
You don't know what to do
You're unsure of how to proceed
'Cause everyone else around is sleeping
Everyone else is unaware or uninvolved
The choice is up to you
You are responsible for making the decision
Now you better watch out what you're saying
Be careful of the words you speak
These words could cut like swords
Your words can hurt others deeply
You better watch out while you're praying
Be mindful of what you're asking for
Find out what you're praying for
Make sure you truly know what you want
It's so unexpected, now how could it be true
The answer may seem unlikely at first
I never would detect it if it hadn't been for you
You wouldn't have found the answer without help
Now I got this notion and it's bottled up inside
Now you have an idea that you're holding onto
A swamp of emotions there's no need to hide
You have a vast array of emotions that don't need to be hidden
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LARS OLOF NOREN, PETER ALF SVEDIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miguel Castro
One lost friend of mine, Inga from Arnhem, showed me this band in1997. I love it since then. Thank you Inga, wherever you are :)
RICHARD JOHN Moyse
The UK is still twenty years behind but give them a chance to catch up
SempieNL
The origins of Bettie Serveert are in Arnhem. They started out under another name, De Artsen. When one of the band members was exchanged, they changed the name to Bettie Serveert. Carol joined the band as a singer at that time, before she was the sound mixer. At that period of time, the band was Amsterdam based.