Drukwerk is a Dutch pop group from Amsterdam. Formed in 1978 they enjoyed g… Read Full Bio ↴Drukwerk is a Dutch pop group from Amsterdam. Formed in 1978 they enjoyed great chart success in The Netherlands during the first boom of Dutch-language 'Nederpop' in the first half of the 1980s.

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.

Kapsones
Drukwerk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh pas op ik krijg kapsones
Kapsones want jij bent enthousiast
Maar ik sta hier zoals ik ben
De schooier zoals je me kent
Oh pas op ik krijg kapsones
Jouw blik verraad al een hoop
Jij staart naar mij wat ik verricht
Jij wilt graag dat ik voor je zwicht

Voor jou hier in dit felle licht

Dat angstig gevoel bekruipt me steeds
Het is raar dat gevoel maar je hebt me in jouw greep
Ohohoh pas op ik krijg kapsones
Verlangen naar jou is zo groot
Ik ben niet hard en niet van steen
Ik wil er nog velen omheen
Ik wil wel maar niet met jou alleen

Dat angstig gevoel bekruipt me steeds
Het is raar dat gevoel maar je hebt me in jouw greep
Ohohoh pas op ik krijg kapsones
Kapsones alleen maar door jou
Want wat ik ook doe
Kapsones genoeg
Alleen maar omdat ik van je hou

Alleen maar omdat ik van je hou
Alleen maar omdat ik van je hou

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Drukwerk's song Kapsones tell the story of a man who is experiencing a surge of self-importance and narcissism ("kapsones"). He states that he is becoming arrogant because of someone's admiration for him ("jouw blik verraad al een hoop, jij staart naar mij wat ik verricht, jij wilt graag dat ik voor je zwicht"). This person is portrayed as having a hold on him ("het is raar dat gevoel maar je hebt me in jouw greep") and he struggles with his desire for them ("verlangen naar jou is zo groot"). The man also makes it clear that he wants to be surrounded by many people, but not just this person alone ("ik wil er nog velen omheen, ik wil wel maar niet met jou alleen").

The song explores a common theme in human relationships where we can become overwhelmed by the attention or admiration of someone else, which in turn can lead to inflated ego and attitude. The use of the Dutch word "kapsones" adds a playful and lighthearted tone, highlighting the absurdity of the man's behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh pas op ik krijg kapsones
I am becoming arrogant, watch out

Kapsones want jij bent enthousiast
Your enthusiasm is making me feel arrogant

Maar ik sta hier zoals ik ben
But I am being myself

De schooier zoals je me kent
The scruffy person you know me as

Jouw blik verraad al een hoop
Your look implies a lot

Jij staart naar mij wat ik verricht
You are staring at what I am doing

Jij wilt graag dat ik voor je zwicht
You want me to give in to you

Voor jou hier in dit felle licht
In front of you, in this bright light

Dat angstig gevoel bekruipt me steeds
I keep feeling anxious

Het is raar dat gevoel maar je hebt me in jouw greep
It's strange, but you have a hold on me

Verlangen naar jou is zo groot
My desire for you is immense