Formed in 1961, the band was active for 60 years, almost non-stop. They had 56 years of studio output, starting in 1965, which made them the world's longest surviving rock band, formed a year before The Rolling Stones, until their tragic end on 5 February 2021, when guitarist founding member George Kooymans revealed that he had been diagnosed with the neuro-muscular disease, ALS.
The band's core line-up of four was unchanged from 1970 to 2021, although extra musicians had short stints in the band in the 1970s. Golden Earring was always touring, except in 2000 (their only sabbatical year) and the final year of their existence, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 1961 George Kooymans (age 13) and his neighbour Rinus Gerritsen (age 15) formed The Tornado's in the Zuiderpark district of their home town of The Hague, The Netherlands. The band's first line-up mainly played The Shadows and The Ventures covers, as well as other instrumental tunes, and played its first gigs at school parties.
In 1963, as the band found out that there already was a British band called The Tornados, they decided to change their name into The Golden Ear-rings (after a Peggy Lee song). The band now performed around The Hague, soon had a devoted local following and landed a record deal with Polydor. Their début single, 1965's Please Go, immediately landed in the Dutch Top 10.
Under the Golden Earrings moniker the band eventually recorded four albums and had twelve hit singles in the Netherlands between 1965 and 1969, ten of which reached the Dutch Top 10. Several of their records were released internationally in Europe and even North America, although they failed to make an impact there.
One of the band's sixties singles became their first Dutch #1 hit: 1968's somewhat carnavalesque Dong-Dong-Diki-Digi-Dong, although that tune is now frowned upon by the band and generally regarded as inferior to other sixties Earrings gems, such as That Day (1966, the first Dutch pop single to have been recorded in the U.K., at London's Pye Studios), Sound Of The Screaming Day (1966) and the epic Just A Little Bit Of Peace In My Heart (1969).
The band's lead singer during the early Golden Earrings years was Frans Krassenburg. He was replaced by Barry Hay (ex-The Haigs) in 1967. The band's drummer for much of the 1960s was Jaap Eggermont. His successors were Sieb Warner (1969) and, in 1970, Cesar Zuiderwijk (ex-Livin' Blues), Golden Earring's definitive drummer.
The band's international career modestly started to take off in 1969, the year of their psychedelic Eight Miles High album, their first haphazard tour of the United States and also the year in which the band name was slightly changed into The Golden Earring and finally (dropping the article within a year), Golden Earring. On their early U.S. tours, their long, wild cover version of The Byrds' classic Eight Miles High impressed audiences and press alike. Golden Earring's 19-minute album version, as well as the stand-alone 1969 single, Another 45 Miles, were the first Golden Earring recordings to get some North American airplay.
The arrival of drummer, Cesar Zuiderwijk, in 1970, completed what would turn out to be the group's definitive line-up: Barry Hay (lead vocals/guitar/flute), George Kooymans (guitar/vocals), Cesar Zuiderwijk (drums) and Rinus Gerritsen (bass/harmonica/keyboards).
1970 saw a dramatic shift in Golden Earring's musical style. After the melodic, often Beatle-esque sixties beat of The Golden Earrings and a brief phase of psychedelia and hippie rock in 1968 and 1969, the single Back Home marked the birth of Golden Earring's trademark heavy, riff-based brand of hard rock with catchy hooks. Back Home hit #1 in the Dutch charts and 'broke' Golden Earring in most of Europe, notably countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.
This marked the start of a decade of domestic and international glory. Between 1966 and 1976 seventeen consecutive Earring singles rocketed into the Dutch Top 10, while their international popularity increased, especially after their lengthy 1972 tour of Europe, supporting The Who. Buddy Joe (1972) achieved considerable chart success in the German-speaking countries of Europe, but 1973's Radar Love was their breakthrough smash hit worldwide: #13 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 in the U.S. Cashbox chart, #5 in Britain, #8 in Australia, #10 in Canada, #5 in Germany, #6 in Belgium, #1 in Spain and also #1 in (last but not least) Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), to name but a few.
Radar Love remains an enduring 'car classic' and radio anthem of global fame to this day. Between 1969 and 1985 Golden Earring completed ten major tours of North America, building a considerable North American fanbase, as well as five headlining tours of Great Britain in 1973 and 1974 alone. Golden Earring toured as 'special guests' of The Who, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, .38 Special, Rush and many more, whereas bands like Aerosmith, KISS, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd opened for Golden Earring. The album that spawned Radar Love, 1973's Moontan, was certified 'Gold' by North America's RIAA in 1974 and sold millions of copies worldwide.
The band failed to achieve similar chart success in the years after Radar Love: the progressive Switch (1975) and To The Hilt (1976) charted in Billboard's album charts, but yielded no major U.S. hits. The singles were clearly not what North American audiences wanted from the 'Radar Love guys'.
Golden Earring was forgotten by many outside of The Netherland and by 1980 even Dutch audiences started to lose interest: albums such as No Promises, No Debts (1979) and Prisoner Of The Night (1980) were commercial flops, leading to the band's decision (in 1981) to record a 'final LP and then call it quits.
The lead single from 1982's 'farewell album', Cut, a Kooymans-penned tune called Twilight Zone, surprisingly became an even bigger hit in the U.S. than Radar Love: #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks, thanks to heavy MTV rotation of the Dick Maas-directed video. The song (#1 in The Netherlands) revived Golden Earring's stateside career overnight. The Cut LP was certified 'gold' in Canada, with Twilight Zone hitting #3 in the Canadian charts.
In their native Netherlands the band did manage to extend their creative and commercial peak this time: the single When The Lady Smiles and the album N.E.W.S. ('NorthEastWestSouth'), both released in 1984, repeated the success of Twilight Zone and Cut. 'Lady' peaked at #3 in Canada, but fared disappointingly in the U.S. as MTV and even radio stations banned the track because of its controversial video, once again directed by Dick Maas, in which the rape of a nun was suggested.
After 1985 things rapidly went downhill for Golden Earring internationally (they would not tour the U.S. again), but - after a creative and financial crisis that lasted throughout the second half of the 1980s - the band wrote one of their most enduring Dutch hits in 1991 (the power-ballad, Going To The Run, which fared partially well in Russia) and discovered a new gold mine in their home country a year later: acoustic concerts in theatres, the concept of MTV Unplugged.
To everybody's surprise, the band's acoustic live album, The Naked Truth, slowly became their all-time biggest selling album in The Netherlands. Its sequels, Naked II (1997) and Naked III (2005) also went platinum at least once in The Netherlands.
Golden Earring's by far most succesful album internationally remains 1973's Moontan, which sold well over 3.5 million copies outside of The Netherlands and was certified 'gold' in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom (and platinum in the U.S. in later years).
Golden Earring released 25 studio albums, 9 live albums and countless succesful compilations. Almost all of these records were certified gold, often platinum, in The Netherlands. More than anything else, though, the band remained a live force of legendary status in their home country and beyond. They toured throughout each year until the very end, almost exclusively in the Netherlands, although there are still occasional live appearances in Belgium and Germany. 2009 saw Golden Earring's long overdue return to the United Kingdom: their sold out shows in Ipswich and London's Shepherd's Bush Empire were their first live appearances in England since 1978.
In 2011 the band recorded their first album of new material since 2003's Millbrook U.S.A.: Tits 'n Ass - studio album #25 for the Dutch legends - was released on 11 May 2012 on Universal Music and hit #1 in the Dutch album charts one week after its release to become Golden Earring's 8th #1 album in their home country. Certified 'gold' in The Netherlands, the album was generally believed to be Golden Earring's final studio outing, but December 2015 saw the release of a five-track mini album entitled The Hague, released more than fifty years after their début single and just before the band's sold out 'Five Zero' anniversary concert at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome in front of a 17,000-strong crowd. 2019 saw the release of a stand-alone single, Say When: Golden Earring's final studio recording.
Nobody was aware of it at the time, but the band's 16 November 2019 performance at the Rotterdam Ahoy would turn out to be their final concert. After a year of Covid-19 lockdowns, guitarist George Kooymans announced his ALS diagnosis on 5 February 2021, the disease rendering him unfit to perform. Within hours, the band admitted that carrying on without Kooymans was unthinkable. In the words of lead singer, Barry Hay: "This is the end of the line for the band. It's a death blow. We always said: we'll keep going until the first one of us goes down. I never expected it to be George."
The band's final performance was released as a live CD and DVD in April 2022, named after Barry Hay's final words at the end of countless Golden Earring shows: You Know We Love You!.
Studio albums (released as Golden Earring, unless noted otherwise)
Just Ear-rings (1965, as The Golden Earrings or The Golden Ear-rings)
Winter-Harvest (1967, as Golden Earrings, sometimes spelled as Winter Harvest)
Miracle Mirror (1968, as Golden Earrings)
On The Double (1969, as Golden Earrings)
Eight Miles High (1969, as The Golden Earring)
Golden Earring (1970, colloquially known as 'Wall Of Dolls')
Seven Tears (1971)
Together (1972)
Moontan (1973)
Switch (1975)
To The Hilt (1976)
Contraband (1976, U.S. title: Mad Love)
Grab It For A Second (1978)
No Promises... No Debts (1979, spelled as No Promises, No Debts on most online platforms)
Prisoner Of The Night (1980)
Cut (1982)
N.E.W.S. (1984)
The Hole (1986)
Keeper Of The Flame (1989)
Bloody Buccaneers (1991)
Face It (1994)
Love Sweat (1995, covers album)
Paradise In Distress (1999)
Millbrook U.S.A. (2003)
Tits 'n Ass (2012)
The Hague (EP, 2015)
Live albums
Live (1977)
2nd Live (1981)
Something Heavy Going Down (1984, includes one new studio track)
The Naked Truth (1992, acoustic)
Naked II (1997, acoustic)
Last Blast Of The Century (2000)
Naked III (2005, acoustic, incorrectly listed as Naked Truth III on some streaming platforms)
Live In Ahoy 2006 (2006, live DVD + CD set)
You Know We Love You! (2022, live DVD + CD set)
Additional information:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Earring
Official website: https://www.golden-earring.nl
Sellin' Out
Golden Earring Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She don't wanna be another face in the crowd
Gets on her feet
Starts walkin' out
Looks like she's got herself some sense of direction now
All the birds in the sky sing in harmony
Sound-track to the title-roll of a success movie
Featuring little miss make believe
It's part of the scheme
There's a shade of doubt she's sellin' out
I'm glad that she proved the fact
There's still some a that balls around
I'm on the couch
She's on TV
Can't help thinkin' that she's laughin' right back at me
Listen all listen here comes my favorite line
I'll do anything just to save that career of mine
All right I don't know what she's doin'
Her feet are gettin' too big for her shoes
But it sure beats the eight o'clock news
Gotta admit it yeah yeah
You just found out what it's all about
You don't wanna be another face in the crowd
Get on your feet
Start walkin' out
Looks like you got yourself some sense of direction now
Beyond a shade of doubt
You're sellin' out
I'm glad that you prove the fact
There's still some a that balls around
Listen all listen there's a favorite lie
I'll do anything just to boost that career of mine
The lyrics of "Sellin' Out" by Golden Earring discuss a woman who has finally discovered her own aspirations and direction in life. She no longer wants to blend in with the crowd but instead aims to stand out and achieve greatness. The song stresses that this woman's success will not be easily obtained, as everyone wants her for themselves, and she could potentially be selling out in the process. The bird's singing in harmony in the sky can represent the woman's newfound sense of direction as she embarks on her journey.
Throughout the song, the singer's story is juxtaposed with the singer's desire to save his own career. He confesses that he will do anything to succeed, including sacrificing any sense of morality. This may be a commentary on the music industry's ruthlessness and the lengths one must go to maintain success. Despite this, the singer ultimately admires the woman's courage to pursue her dreams, even if it may require selling out.
Overall, "Sellin' Out" presents a complex and nuanced depiction of the pursuit of success in the music industry. It highlights the potential sacrifices and difficult decisions one must make to achieve their goals while also acknowledging the importance of maintaining a sense of direction and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
She just found out what it's all about
She recently discovered the truth about the entertainment industry and the lengths one must go to succeed.
She don't wanna be another face in the crowd
She desires to stand out and be recognized for her unique talent and abilities.
Gets on her feet
She takes action and starts to pursue her dreams.
Starts walkin' out
She leaves behind the old ways of doing things and sets out on a new path.
Looks like she's got herself some sense of direction now
She has a clear understanding of where she wants to go and how to get there.
All the birds in the sky sing in harmony
The world seems to be cheering her on and encouraging her to succeed.
Sound-track to the title-roll of a success movie
Her new life feels like a movie, with a perfect score that accompanies her every move.
Featuring little miss make believe
She presents a false image of herself, playing a character that sells well in the industry.
Everybody wants her nobody gets her
She is in high demand but remains unattainable to most people.
It's part of the scheme
Her image and persona are carefully crafted to appeal to a certain audience and increase profits.
There's a shade of doubt she's sellin' out
There is a possibility that she is compromising her values and artistic integrity in exchange for fame and success.
I'm glad that she proved the fact
I am happy that she has not completely sacrificed her values and has shown some courage and authenticity.
There's still some a that balls around
There are still some people in the industry who remain authentic and true to themselves despite the temptations of success.
I'm on the couch
I am a passive observer, watching her on TV and not actively participating in her journey.
She's on TV
Her image and persona are being broadcasted for mass consumption on television.
Can't help thinkin' that she's laughin' right back at me
I feel like she knows that I am watching her and is amused by my fascination and admiration for her success.
Listen all listen here comes my favorite line
The artist is excited to hear a certain line in a song or script, possibly because it resonates with their own experiences or feelings.
I'll do anything just to save that career of mine
The singer is willing to compromise their values and integrity in order to ensure their own success and survival in the industry.
All right I don't know what she's doin'
The singer does not fully understand or agree with the decisions the young star is making in her career.
Her feet are gettin' too big for her shoes
She is starting to outgrow her previous image and is becoming too big of a star to be contained by her former identity.
But it sure beats the eight o'clock news
Despite the compromises and challenges, her new life is still more exciting and interesting than ordinary everyday news.
Gotta admit it yeah yeah
The artist acknowledges the truth and recognizes the young star's talent and potential.
You just found out what it's all about
The young star has recently discovered the truth about the entertainment industry and what it takes to succeed.
You don't wanna be another face in the crowd
She aspires to stand out and be unique, not just another forgettable and interchangeable performer.
Get on your feet
She is encouraged to take action and pursue her dreams with determination and confidence.
Start walkin' out
She must leave behind the old ways of doing things and set out on a new path, even if it is scary and uncertain.
Looks like you got yourself some sense of direction now
She is becoming more sure of her goals and how to achieve them with each step she takes.
Beyond a shade of doubt
With complete certainty and conviction, there is no doubt that she is selling out and compromising her integrity for success.
You're sellin' out
She is sacrificing her values and authenticity in exchange for popularity and financial gain.
I'm glad that you prove the fact
The singer is relieved and happy to see that the young star has some integrity and has not completely sold out.
Listen all listen there's a favorite lie
The singer is excited to hear a certain line, despite the fact that it might be a lie or falsehood.
I'll do anything just to boost that career of mine
The artist is motivated by their own desire for success and is willing to do whatever it takes to advance their own career, even if it means sacrificing their values and beliefs.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY HAY, CESAR ZUIDERWIJK, GEORGE KOOYMANS, RINUS GERRITSEN, Barry A Hay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind