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.
Fire And Rain
Herman Brood Lyrics
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Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I won't make it any other way
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
Well there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
Na na na. Na na na na na na na na na na. Na na na na na na na na
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
The lyrics to Herman Brood’s “Fire and Rain” are powerful and evoke a lot of emotions. The song is a tribute to a friend, Suzanne, who has passed away. Brood received the news of her death just yesterday morning, and he is processing his grief by writing a song in her honor. The lyrics discuss the plans that Suzanne had, which have now been ended by her passing. Brood’s feelings of sadness and despair are palpable in the lines, “My body’s aching and my time is at hand. I won’t make it any other way.”
As the song progresses, Brood calls upon Jesus to help him make a stand and see him through another day. He reminisces about his past and how he has seen both the good and the bad times, but he always thought he would see Suzanne again. Brood thinks about the hours he spent talking to her on the phone and how they used to dream about their future plans. But now, all those plans are shattered, and Brood is left heartbroken.
In conclusion, “Fire and Rain” is a poignant tribute to a friend who has passed away. Brood’s lyrics are raw and honest, and they perfectly capture the emotions that come with such a profound loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Just yesterday mornin', they let me know you were gone
I recently found out that you had passed away
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
Your death was caused by certain plans or circumstances involving someone named Suzanne
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I wrote this song after waking up this morning
I just can't remember who to send it to
I don't know who should receive this song
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've witnessed both extreme highs and lows in life
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've experienced times of overwhelming happiness
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
I've gone through periods of intense loneliness where I didn't have anyone to turn to
But I always thought that I'd see you again
I always believed that I would see you once more
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
I am asking for divine intervention
You've got to help me make a stand
I need support to stand up for myself
You've just got to see me through another day
I need help to make it through the day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I am experiencing physical pain and feel like time is running out
I won't make it any other way
I won't be able to handle this situation on my own
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun
I've been trying to escape into happy memories
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
When times get tough, everything can change in an instant
Well there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
There's a lot of time to discuss future plans over the phone
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
My dreams and aspirations have been shattered
Thought I'd see you one more time again
I had hoped to see you again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
I have a few challenges that I am about to face
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
I had hoped to see you again despite everything I've experienced
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind