The group's frontman (and only original member today), Harry Slinger (1949), with his trademark red wool hat, is known for singing his lyrics in a sharp Amsterdam accent. The group's music was typical eighties pop, sometimes reggae-tinged, sometimes remarkably paying hommage to the smartlappen of Amsterdam's famous pub singers.
The group was active from 1978 to 1990 and, after 1990, on and off in various line-ups with Harry Slinger as the only permanent feature.
Established in 1978, the earliest Drukwerk incarnation was politically outspoken. Some of their early recordings were essentially leftist protest songs, for example against the closing of a youth centre in Amsterdam North, against nuclear energy or the policies of the Amsterdam city council. The band's later work was less politically charged, but in many cases still socially committed.
The band suddenly found themselves at the top of the Dutch charts over Christmas 1981: 'Je Loog Tegen Mij' ('You Lied To Me') marked the start of their glory days. The first half of the 1980s yielded seven Top 20 hits in total, including 'Wat Dom' (#5 in 1982), 'Schijn 'n Lichtje op Mij' (#10 in 1982), 'Hee Amsterdam' (#15 in 1983) and 'Carolien' (#18 in 1984). Almost all of the studio LPs from this era reached the top half of the Dutch album charts, including Drukwerk (1981), Tweede Druk (1982) and the very succesful live album Hee Amsterdam - Drukwerk Live in het Concertgebouw (1984).
Line-up in this era: Harry Slinger (vocals), Ton Coster (gitaar), Joop May (keyboards) and Hans Witteveen (drums).
As the success of Dutch-language 'Nederpop' waned, Drukwerk decided to tour theatres instead of pop venues. However, their days of chart success were over and in 1990 the original line-up decided to call it a day. Harry Slinger embarked on a solo carreer, but soon started singing Drukwerk's hit tunes again.
The release of the box-set 'Je Loog Tegen Mij' (2002) revived the public's interest in Drukwerk. Slinger re-established the group without any of the original members. The band Next One, from the town of Volendam, served as Slinger's backing band under the Drukwerk moniker. The band toured The Netherlands in 2003 and 2004, the years of Drukwerk's 25th anniversary.
In later years original members Ton Coster and Joop May were sometimes involved in Slinger's Drukwerk projects - and sometimes they weren't. Musicians such as Hans van der Berg, Jan Offenberg, Lucas Huizinga, Frank Schaafsma, Rabo Snellenerg, Edwin Gitsels, Rob Engels, Martin van Helden, Ivor Mitchell and Marcel Lee enjoyed stints in the band.
In 2011 and 2012 another Drukwerk incarnation hit Dutch theatres, this time with Harry Slinger's son, Bram, in his father's backing band. This line-up would, in 2013, record and release the first Drukwerk studio album of original material since 1987, entitled Tegen beter weten in.
The band's lovingly nostalgic ode to their city, 'Hee Amsterdam' (1983), remains a stadium staple of fans of the local Ajax football club.
De Kroegen Van Amsterdam
Drukwerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
De warmte en de blijdschap zeiden mij vanaf dat moment genoeg
In een Amsterdams cafe telt iedereen even veel mee
Of je arm bent of rijk, iedereen heeft z'n sores, dat blijft gelijk
refr.:
Waar kan 't zo gezellig zijn als 's avonds op het Rembrandtsplein in Mokum
Bij elke kroeg naar binnen gaan, van 't Leidseplein tot de Jordaan in Mokum
Arm en rijk, blank en zwart, heb jij onderdak gegeven
Heel lang, Amsterdam
Ied're Amsterdammer heeft een stamkroeg op 't hoekje van de straat
Daar zit 'ie met z'n vrienden, het hindert niet waarover wordt gepraat
Het weer of de politiek, Oranje of popmuziek
Hij is in z'n element, bestelt dan ook geheid een rondje voor de hele tent
refr.
Daar is Mokum
Ja, als Mokum
The lyrics to the song "De kroegen van Amsterdam" by Drukwerk describe the experience of going to a pub in Amsterdam, particularly for the first time with the singer's father. The warmth and joy of the atmosphere left a lasting impression on the singer, who observes that in these Amsterdam cafes, everyone is equal regardless of social status. The chorus continues this theme, extolling the many different bars and pubs in Amsterdam where everyone can come together for a good time, regardless of their differences.
The song goes on to mention that every Amsterdammer has their own regular haunt, where they can relax and chat with friends about anything from the weather to politics to pop music. These places make them feel at home, and they often buy rounds of drinks for everyone in the bar.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the welcoming and diverse spirit of Amsterdam's pub culture, which brings people of all backgrounds together in a way that is uniquely Amsterdam.
Line by Line Meaning
Vroeger, toen ik klein was, nam me vader me voor 't eerst mee naar de kroeg
When I was young, my father first took me to a bar and the warmth and happiness I felt was enough to keep me coming back
De warmte en de blijdschap zeiden mij vanaf dat moment genoeg
From that moment on, I knew that the warmth and joy of a bar would always make me feel happy
In een Amsterdams cafe telt iedereen even veel mee
At an Amsterdam bar, everyone is equal and important regardless of their social or financial status
Of je arm bent of rijk, iedereen heeft z'n sores, dat blijft gelijk
Whether you are poor or wealthy, everyone has their own troubles and problems that are the same
Waar kan 't zo gezellig zijn als 's avonds op het Rembrandtsplein in Mokum
Where else can you find such a great atmosphere as in the evening on Rembrandt Square in Amsterdam
Bij elke kroeg naar binnen gaan, van 't Leidseplein tot de Jordaan in Mokum
Visiting every bar from Leidse Square to the Jordaan in Amsterdam
Amsterdam, jouw bruisend hart, zo boordevol van leven
Amsterdam, your bustling heart, so full of life
Arm en rijk, blank en zwart, heb jij onderdak gegeven
You have provided shelter for the poor and the wealthy, the white and the black
Heel lang, Amsterdam
For a very long time, Amsterdam
Ied're Amsterdammer heeft een stamkroeg op 't hoekje van de straat
Every Amsterdammer has a favorite bar on the corner of the street
Daar zit 'ie met z'n vrienden, het hindert niet waarover wordt gepraat
They sit there with their friends and it doesn't matter what they talk about
Het weer of de politiek, Oranje of popmuziek
Whether it's the weather or politics, Oranje or pop music
Hij is in z'n element, bestelt dan ook geheid een rondje voor de hele tent
They are in their element and always order a round of drinks for the entire bar
Daar is Mokum
There is Amsterdam
Ja, als Mokum
Yes, as Amsterdam
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.