Herman Brood (Zwolle, November 5, 1946 – Amsterdam, July 11, 2001) was a Du… Read Full Bio ↴Herman Brood (Zwolle, November 5, 1946 – Amsterdam, July 11, 2001) was a Dutch musician, painter and media personality. Brood was the Dutch personification of sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.

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.

My Funny Valentine
Herman Brood Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My funny valentine
Sweet little valentine
You make me smile with the heart
Your lips are laughable
Unphotographable
Still you're my favourite piece of art

Is your figure is less than greek

Is your mouth is a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But don't change your hair for me
Not if you'd care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

Is your figure is not that greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

So don't you change your hair for me
Not if you care for me

Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

Overall Meaning

In Herman Brood's song "My Funny Valentine", he sings about the beauty he finds in someone who may not fit the traditional standards of beauty. He addresses the person as his "funny valentine" and acknowledges that they make him smile with their heart, which is more important to him than a traditional idea of beauty. He highlights their imperfect lips and the fact that they are unphotographable, yet still considers them to be a favorite piece of art. Brood then questions if their figure is less than Greek, if their mouth is weak, and if they are smart. Despite any imperfections, he doesn't want them to change for him. He wants them to stay as they are and everyday to be like Valentine's Day.

Line by Line Meaning

My funny valentine
My charming and unique Valentine

Sweet little valentine
My dear and endearing Valentine

You make me smile with the heart
You fill my heart with joy and happiness

Your lips are laughable
Your smile is contagious and brings me joy

Unphotographable
Your true beauty is indescribable and cannot be captured in a photo

Still you're my favourite piece of art
You are my most cherished and beloved masterpiece

Is your figure is less than greek
Do you not fit the traditional definition of beauty?

Is your mouth is a little weak
Do you struggle with expressing yourself?

When you open it to speak
When you try to communicate

Are you smart?
Are you intelligent and insightful?

But don't change your hair for me
You do not need to alter yourself to please me