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.
Laat de rijken de crisis betalen
Drukwerk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
op hen die onze voortgang remmen
en ons bestaan en toekomst
voor een paar duiten verkopen
ze blijven snel hun zakken vullen
en over democratie aan het lullen
ze willen redden hun kapitaal
regeren willen ze allemaal
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
dat is wat wij willen
Een miljonair een bakfonds fonds
een buikring vinden ze goed voor ons
ook al heb je niet al te veel
ze eisen van ons het grootste deel
ze denken ze hebben het voor het zeggen
maar alleen fascisme kan hun nog redden
ze willen ons leven, het liefst ons geld
zijn onze dagen nu echt geteld
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
dat is wat wij willen
voor een nieuwe toekomst moeten we vechten
ook onze kinderen hebben rechten
we laten ons niet meer gebruiken
leve de revolutie!
Dus:
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
dat is wat wij willen
Waarom moet ik de crisis betalen
waarom moet zij de crisis betalen
waarom moet hij de crisis betalen
hebben wij hem soms veroorzaakt?
Nee!
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
dat is wat wij willen!
The lyrics of Drukwerk's "Laat de rijken de crisis betalen" highlight the frustration of the common people towards the government and the wealthy elite during economic crises. The song starts with a criticism about the politicians who claim to value democracy but only care about their financial gains. They take advantage of the people's trust to fill their pockets and prioritize saving their own capital instead of working for the betterment of the country. The repeated line "laat de rijken de crisis betalen" emphasizes the demand for the rich to bear the burden of economic hardships and not shift the responsibility onto the poorer sections of society.
The song also highlights the sense of inequality prevalent during financial crises. It portrays the wealthy elite as selfish and insensitive towards the struggles of the middle and lower classes. The lyrics suggest that the wealthy class has more control over the government's decisions and uses their power to exploit the common man. However, the lyrics also urge people to fight for a better future and not let the wealthy use them as mere pawns. The line, "voor een nieuwe toekomst moeten we vechten, ook onze kinderen hebben rechten" references the importance of standing up against injustice for future generations.
Overall, the song captures the frustration and anger of the common people towards the government and the wealthy during financial crises. It highlights the importance of solidarity and demands that the wealthy bear the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Om de vier jaar mogen we stemmen
Every four years, we have the right to vote.
op hen die onze voortgang remmen
We elect those who hinder our progress.
en ons bestaan en toekomst
They sell out our existence and future.
voor een paar duiten verkopen
They sell us out for just a few coins.
ze blijven snel hun zakken vullen
They keep filling their pockets quickly.
en over democratie aan het lullen
And they keep talking about democracy.
ze willen redden hun kapitaal
They want to save their own wealth.
regeren willen ze allemaal
All of them want to rule.
laat de rijken de crisis betalen
Let the rich pay for the crisis.
dat is wat wij willen
That is what we want.
Een miljonair een bakfonds fonds
They think a millionaire is a good role model for us.
een buikring vinden ze goed voor ons
They think a belly ring is good for us.
ook al heb je niet al te veel
Even if you don't have much.
ze eisen van ons het grootste deel
They demand the largest part from us.
ze denken ze hebben het voor het zeggen
They think they have the power.
maar alleen fascisme kan hun nog redden
But only fascism can save them now.
ze willen ons leven, het liefst ons geld
They want our lives, but most of all our money.
zijn onze dagen nu echt geteld
Are our days really numbered now?
voor een nieuwe toekomst moeten we vechten
We must fight for a new future.
ook onze kinderen hebben rechten
Even our children have rights.
we laten ons niet meer gebruiken
We won't let ourselves be used anymore.
leve de revolutie!
Long live the revolution!
Waarom moet ik de crisis betalen
Why do I have to pay for the crisis?
waarom moet zij de crisis betalen
Why does she have to pay for the crisis?
waarom moet hij de crisis betalen
Why does he have to pay for the crisis?
hebben wij hem soms veroorzaakt?
Did we cause it?
Nee!
No!
Contributed by Owen R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.