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.
Hee Amsterdam
Drukwerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
waar je in je nest kon horen, als buurman heilie maakte snachs.
De straten waren om te spelen, we zwierven door de hele stad.
We geloofden nog in eerlijk delen, jatten appels op de markt.
Hee Amsterdam, ze zeggen dat je bent veranderd,
Hee Amsterdam, je kan geen goed meer doen,
maar wie dat zegt die is geen Amsterdammer, want Amsterdam
En kom je terug na heel wat jaren, zeggen ze "Mokum, dat is dood."
Maar ik geloof niks van die verhalen, als ik zo door de stad heen loop.
De kooplui staan nog steeds te katten, De Nieuwe Dijk drukker dan ooit.
Ik zie een jochie appels jatten, nee Amsterdam verandert nooit.
Op zondagmiddag naar de Wallen, en als je langzaam liep dan zag je meer,
Onopvallend met z'n allen, de ... .... tien keer op en neer.
En zondagavond was het knokken, het hinderde niet tegen wie, tot de
politie dan kwam fokken, dan vochten we wel tegen die
Hee Amsterdam, ze zeggen dat je bent veranderd,
Hee Amsterdam, je kan geen goed meer doen,
maar wie dat zegt die is geen Amsterdammer, want Amsterdam
je bent nog net als toen.
Die dronken vent die in 't portiek lag en m'n ma die dorst niet
naar 'm toe. Toen Pa vroeg of tie soms ziek was zei die:"Nee,
alleen maar moe." Dus zoveel is er niet veranderd, junkie ligt in 't portiek
En naast me vraagt een Amsterdammer:"Hee Har, is ie
nou moe, of is tie ziek?"
Hee Amsterdam, ze zeggen dat je bent veranderd,
Hee Amsterdam, je kan geen goed meer doen,
maar wie dat zegt die is geen Amsterdammer, want Amsterdam
je bent nog net als toen.
Want vreemdelingen-junkies-rellen, ons maken ze ermee niet bang,
Ze kunnen ons nog meer vertellen, 't hoort allemaal bij Amsterdam
Hee Amsterdam, ze zeggen dat je bent veranderd,
Hee Amsterdam, je kan geen goed meer doen,
maar wie dat zegt die is geen Amsterdammer, want Amsterdam
je bent nog net als toen.
Hee Amsterdam je bent nog net als toen.
The lyrics of Drukwerk's song Hee Amsterdam are a nostalgic ode to the city in which the singer was born and grew up. He recalls his childhood memories of playing in the streets and believing in the idea of honest sharing, even if that meant stealing apples from the market. The singer also remembers the infamous Wallen district and the fights that ensued on Sunday evenings, even with the police. However, the singer believes that despite the changes Amsterdam has undergone, it is still the same vibrant, diverse, and unique city it was in the past, and that those who claim otherwise are not true Amsterdammers.
The first stanza sets the scene for the song, describing the singer's birthplace on the third floor of an apartment building on Bloemgracht. The second stanza reflects the common perception that Amsterdam has changed drastically over the years, yet the singer's personal experience and observations refute this claim. The third and fourth stanzas reminisce about Amsterdam's notorious red-light district, the Wallen; and the final stanza repeats the refrain, emphasizing that despite its changes, Amsterdam's spirit remains intact.
Overall, the song is an affirmation of Amsterdam's past, present, and future. It acknowledges the difficulties the city has faced, yet it praises the city's resilience and character. The song is a reminder that what makes Amsterdam great is not just its history, but also its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Ik ben in Amsterdam geboren, drie hoog op de Bloemgracht, waar je in je nest kon horen, als buurman heilie maakte snachs.
I was born in Amsterdam, on the third floor of the Bloemgracht, where you could hear your neighbor smoking hash through the walls at night.
De straten waren om te spelen, we zwierven door de hele stad. We geloofden nog in eerlijk delen, jatten appels op de markt.
The streets were our playground, we roamed through the whole city. We still believed in sharing fairly, and would steal apples at the market.
En kom je terug na heel wat jaren, zeggen ze 'Mokum, dat is dood.' Maar ik geloof niks van die verhalen, als ik zo door de stad heen loop. De kooplui staan nog steeds te katten, De Nieuwe Dijk drukker dan ooit. Ik zie een jochie appels jatten, nee Amsterdam verandert nooit.
And if you come back after many years, they say 'Mokum, it's dead.' But I don't believe those stories when I walk through the city. The vendors are still haggling, De Nieuwe Dijk is busier than ever. I see a kid stealing apples, no, Amsterdam never changes.
Op zondagmiddag naar de Wallen, en als je langzaam liep dan zag je meer, Onopvallend met z'n allen, de ... .... tien keer op en neer. En zondagavond was het knokken, het hinderde niet tegen wie, tot de politie dan kwam fokken, dan vochten we wel tegen die
On Sunday afternoons, we went to the Red Light District, and if you walked slowly you could see more. Inconspicuously together, walking up and down the same street ten times. And on Sunday nights, there would be fighting, it didn't matter with whom, until the police interfered, then we fought against them.
Die dronken vent die in 't portiek lag en m'n ma die dorst niet naar 'm toe. Toen Pa vroeg of tie soms ziek was zei die:"Nee, alleen maar moe." Dus zoveel is er niet veranderd, junkie ligt in 't portiek En naast me vraagt een Amsterdammer: "Hee Har, is ie nou moe, of is tie ziek?"
That drunk guy lying in the doorway and my mom who didn't dare approach him. When Dad asked if he was sick, he said: 'No, just tired.' So not much has changed, a junkie is still lying in the doorway. And next to me, an Amsterdammer asks: 'Hey Har, is he tired or is he sick now?'
Want vreemdelingen-junkies-rellen, ons maken ze ermee niet bang, Ze kunnen ons nog meer vertellen, 't hoort allemaal bij Amsterdam
Foreigner-junkie-riots don't scare us, they can't tell us anything more, it's all part of Amsterdam.
Hee Amsterdam, ze zeggen dat je bent veranderd, Hee Amsterdam, je kan geen goed meer doen, maar wie dat zegt die is geen Amsterdammer, want Amsterdam je bent nog net als toen.
Hey Amsterdam, they say you've changed, Hey Amsterdam, you can't do anything right anymore, but whoever says that isn't an Amsterdammer, because Amsterdam, you're still just like before.
Hee Amsterdam je bent nog net als toen.
Hey Amsterdam, you're still just like before.
Contributed by Zachary B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AppieF1 Racepuch
Een Amsterdammer blijft een Amsterdammer en is er trots op!!!
2FAST4U 2WIN
Zelfs als geboren weespermop, slaat dit nummer op mij!! Mooi toch!!
Lindomar Carvalho
Beautiful song!!!
Jason Freek
Ik als nieuwe Marokkaan vind dit ook geweldig! Ken uit achterstevoren zingen
..
Syskey
jason freek niet echt n mocro naam
dj Danny Villagrasaツ
Tof om ze gisteren live te hebben gezien in Lelystad op Jolpop, Alle oud Amsterdammers zongen met volle borst mee
erik bakker
Ik hou van Amsterdam 😍
Lindomar Carvalho
I don't understand the lyrics, but I loved the song even so.
Cees Timmerman
The singer recalls growing up in Amsterdam, and notices the same things as an adult.
"Hey Amsterdam," they say, "you've changed."
"Hey Amsterdam, you can't do good anymore."
But who says that is no Amsterdammer,
because Amsterdam, you are still just like then.
Lindomar Carvalho
@Cees Timmerman thank you so much for the translation.👍🏻👍🏻