After playing piano in Cuby and the Blizzards and several other bands since 1964, Brood started his own group, Herman Brood & His Wild Romance, in 1977. The band had their first hit single, Saturday Night, in 1978. But even more than his music, it was his outspoken statements in the press about sex and drug use that brought Herman Brood into the public arena in the Netherlands. In the early 1980s he was romantically involved with the German artist Nina Hagen, with whom he appeared in the film Cha Cha. Brood relished the media attention and became the most famous hard drug user in the Netherlands. "It is usual that an artist uses drugs, but tells everybody he doesn't", he once said in an interview. "I admit that it scared me that my popularity could make people start using drugs." In the 1990s he took up painting and became as successful as a painter as he was as a musician.
With the band 'Herman Brood & his Wild Romance' he made his best known album 'Shpritsz' (a play on the German word for injection needle), containing anti-drug use songs like 'Dope Sucks', but also 'Saturday Night'. Brood swore off most drugs, reducing his drug use to alcohol and a daily shot of speed.
As a result of an impressive TV-show together with the 'modern saint' Salvation Army's major Alida Bosshardt makes Herman Brood also beloved to people who never appreciated or even heard his music.
When in 2001, he found out that he had only a few months left to live, Herman took matters into his own hands and, depressed by the failure of his drug rehabilitation program, committed suicide on July 11 by jumping from the roof of the Hilton Hotel at the age of 54.
Champagne
Herman Brood Lyrics
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all these girls that I've known
of all those chicks I met
you're the one I can't forget
remember times, good & bad times
don't regret'em, sure ain't let'em
remember sidestreets - where we used to meet
champagne & wine
that's what you're gonna get child
champagne & wine
that's what you're gonna see
been too long now, come see bout me
I'm gonna be, honey, knockin' on your door
I'm not the same I was before
I'm a man know, full grown man
you got me eatin' from the tip of your hand
I don't mind even - as long as you feed me
good old lovin', good old sympathy
champagne & wine
that's what you're gonna get now
ev'ry day's gonna be like sunday
ev'ry night's gonna show me the stars in the sky
champagne & wine
cocaine champagne runnin' round
the poor boy's brain
too much of the good
too much of the bright
too much protection
never had to fight
some had a tip
some take a doubleshot
some get overloaded
some have not
some need comfort
some try to catch a breeze
some act like a holy virgin
chinese monk, queen of the street
too much of the good
too much of the bright
all I had to do was stick out my hand
never had to fight
cocaine & champagne
The lyrics of Herman Brood & His Wild Romance's song Champagne & Wine have a clear focus on love, memories, and the overwhelming effects of drugs and alcohol. The song opens up with the singer, who is most likely Brood himself, reminiscing about all the women he's known throughout his life while acknowledging that he still can't forget a particular girl. The chorus of the song, chanting "Champagne & Wine," in a repetitive manner, sets the tone of the song, hinting at the hedonistic themes to come.
Brood then shifts to reflect on the good and bad times that he has shared with the girl, stating that he doesn't regret anything, and reminiscing about the places where they used to meet secretly to make love to each other. As the song proceeds, the substance abuse becomes more pronounced, with the singer speaking openly about the effects of cocaine and champagne on his brain, indicating that he has become addicted to them.
The final bits of the song appear to be Brood pleading to the girl to take him back, with the revelation that he has changed to become a "full-grown man," who can handle the relationship better, and that he doesn't mind being at the receiving end of her love and kindness. "Champagne & Wine" works as both an ode to hedonism and a desperate plea for love, with Brood's inebriation and vulnerability laid bare.
Line by Line Meaning
Been sittin' & thinkin', places I roamed
I've been pondering all the places I've wandered.
all these girls that I've known
I've encountered many women in my life.
of all those chicks I met
Out of all the women I've met,
you're the one I can't forget
you're the one I can never forget.
remember times, good & bad times
I recall both good and bad times.
don't regret'em, sure ain't let'em
I don't regret them, I've surely learned from them.
remember sidestreets - where we used to meet
I remember the backstreets, where we used to meet.
makin' love - nobody but you & me
We were the only ones making love there.
champagne & wine
that's what you're gonna get child
champagne & wine
that's what you're gonna see
You're in for champagne and wine, that's all you'll get and all you'll see.
been too long now, come see bout me
It's been too long, come see me.
I'm gonna be, honey, knockin' on your door
I'll be knocking on your door, darling.
I'm not the same I was before
I'm not the same person I was before.
I'm a man now, full grown man
I'm now a mature man.
you got me eatin' from the tip of your hand
You have me wrapped around your finger.
I don't mind even - as long as you feed me
good old lovin', good old sympathy
I don't mind it at all, as long as you give me affection, love, and care.
champagne & wine
that's what you're gonna get now
ev'ry day's gonna be like sunday
ev'ry night's gonna show me the stars in the sky
You'll continue to get champagne and wine, and every day will feel like Sunday, and every night will display the starry sky.
cocaine champagne runnin' round
the poor boy's brain
too much of the good
too much of the bright
too much protection
never had to fight
The mixture of cocaine and champagne is causing confusion in my mind, I've had too much of the good and the bright things in life, too many protections, and have never been in a real fight.
some had a tip
some take a doubleshot
some get overloaded
some have not
some need comfort
some try to catch a breeze
some act like a holy virgin
chinese monk, queen of the street
Some people have the savvy, others take shortcuts; some have too much and others not enough; some want comfort, some try to be free like the wind, and some act like saints or royalty.
too much of the good
too much of the bright
all I had to do was stick out my hand
never had to fight
cocaine & champagne
I've had more than enough luxuries and didn't need to fight for anything, just had to stretch out my hand - and I'm still awash with coke and champagne.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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