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.
Never Be Clever
Herman Brood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder why it's so hard to feel fine
Got all I need plastic teeth, a pocket full of speed and I'm cool in the heat
Groovy little lady, seems I'm wasting her time
I've got headhammer bullets, still back in crime
People say that I used to do better
So I guess I'm gonna have to get myself together
But I'll never
I'll never be clever
I'll never ever, I'll never be clever
Some say I'm suicidal with a sense of humour
Some say I'm freakin', and they'll try to start rumours
Some people say that I won't last long
Find myself a home, settle down, write a song
I love to hang around in black people's places
Fascinating, starin' at faces
Holy mama, make me concentrate
I've gotta write a song and I've got to create
But I'll never
I'll never be clever
You know that I'll never ever man, I'll never be clever child
Goin' down the line with my head up high
I wonder why it's so hard to feel fine
I got all I need
Plastic teeth, a pocket full of speed
And I'm cool in the heat
Groovy little lady, seems I'm wasting her time
I don't want to, move back to crime
People say that I used to do better
So I guess I'm gonna have to get myself together
But I'll never
I'll never be clever
I'll never ever, I'll never be clever
You know that I'll never
I'll never be clever
I'll never ever, I'll never be clever
Herman Brood's song "Never Be Clever" is a confessional song about a struggling artist who feels like he is wasting his time and talent. Throughout the song, the singer reflects on his life, his choices, and his reputation. The lyrics are introspective and self-critical, as the singer grapples with his own demons.
The opening lines suggest a feeling of disconnection and numbness. The singer is going through the motions, but he can't seem to feel anything. He is using drugs to escape his problems, but it's not enough to make him feel truly alive. The phrase "plastic teeth" is a metaphor for fake happiness or fake success.
The singer is also struggling with his relationships. He is attracted to a "groovy little lady", but he knows that he is not good for her. He still feels the pull of his old criminal ways, and he worries that he will never be able to break free from that part of his past. He also feels like he is not living up to his potential as an artist - "people say I used to do better" - but he doesn't know how to turn things around.
The chorus, "I'll never be clever", is a statement of resignation. The singer has accepted that he will never be able to get himself out of this rut. He feels like he doesn't have the talent or the resources to make it as an artist, and he sees no way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Goin' down the line, head up high
Walking confidently, with my head held high and a positive attitude.
I wonder why it's so hard to feel fine
Despite my confident demeanor, I struggle to feel content or happy.
Got all I need plastic teeth, a pocket full of speed and I'm cool in the heat
I have material possessions and drugs to keep me comfortable in hot or stressful situations.
Groovy little lady, seems I'm wasting her time
I am attracted to a woman, but I feel that I am not good enough for her and am wasting her time.
I've got headhammer bullets, still back in crime
I have violent or criminal tendencies, despite efforts to escape that lifestyle.
People say that I used to do better
Others have seen me do well or be more successful in the past.
So I guess I'm gonna have to get myself together
I know I need to straighten out my life and get back on track.
But I'll never
However, I also recognize that I am unlikely to change certain aspects of myself.
I'll never be clever
I will never be able to fully overcome my flaws and weaknesses.
Some say I'm suicidal with a sense of humor
Some people believe that I have a dark or morbid sense of humor that masks my inner turmoil and pain.
Some say I'm freakin', and they'll try to start rumors
Others may see me as strange, and will try to spread untruths or gossip about me.
Some people say that I won't last long
There are those who doubt that I will survive or thrive for much longer.
Find myself a home, settle down, write a song
Despite my chaotic lifestyle, my ultimate goal is to find stability and express myself artistically.
I love to hang around in black people's places
I enjoy spending time in areas where African Americans congregate.
Fascinating, starin' at faces
I find the people in these environments intriguing and often study their features closely.
Holy mama, make me concentrate
I am calling out to a higher power to help me focus and be creative.
You know that I'll never
Repeating my earlier sentiment that I am unlikely to change.
I'll never be clever
My flaws and imperfections are too deeply ingrained and will never be fully overcome.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DANIEL GERMAIN LADEMACHER, HERMANUS BROOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dutchdykefinger
@@christiaanjellesma1851 ja, z'n lichaam was behoorlijk op, hij was gestopt met de speed na wat, 25 jaar? en zag het allemaal niet meer zitten, pijn en last, maar zo geconditioneerd om die dopamine kick te krijgen, dus alles was "niet zo kicken meer" in zijn eigen woorden
jules deelder is nooit gestopt, en zei ooit "als ik nu stop, dan kunnen ze me overmorgen wegdragen",
met een referentie naar herman brood erbij en hoe hij aan z'n einde kwam.
het is een godswonder dat jules nog leeft, soort van de nederlandse versie van keith richards of iggy pop, die maar niet kapot te krijgen zijn ondanks wat ze er in pleuren (of dankzij?!) :')
---
ff back on topic:
ik heb veel van herman z''n tv dingen gezien in de 90's en ik vond het een sympathieke vent, zijn nette, meestal zelfs zachte omgang met mensen en behoorlijk analytische gedachtegang deed je ook niet exact gelijk aan rauwdauw rock & roll denken.
hij was wel echt een mens, met talent en gevoel voor stijl, maar ook met menselijke problemen die hij in gesprekken ook niet uit de weg ging, hij was een open boek over zijn donkere kanten, over de inbraken en drugs en dergelijke,
al leek ie de laatste paar maanden wel een klein beetje een show ervan te maken (who could blame the guy though?)
@onegerard1
@@christiaanjellesma1851 ho!
alsjeblieft. denk even mee.
ik hoop dat je dit omarmt:
herman the wild romance freddy ...gewoon het gevoel bij brood
ik durf het niet
....
overal klaar mee zijn...
lijkt me het juiste moment om ...
:)
@slint69
Goin' down the line, head up high
I wonder why it's so hard to feel fine
Got all I need plastic teeth, a pocket full of speed and I'm cool in the heat
Groovy little lady, seems I'm wasting her time
I've got headhammer bullets, still back in crime
People say that I used to do better
So I guess I'm gonna have to get myself together
But I'll never
I'll never be clever
I'll never ever, I'll never be clever
Some say I'm suicidal with a sense of humour
Some say I'm freakin', and they'll try to start rumours
Some people say that I won't last long
Find myself a home, settle down, write a song
I love to hang around in black people's places
Fascinating, starin' at faces
Holy mama, make me concentrate
I've gotta write a song and I've got to create
But I'll never
I'll never be clever
You know that I'll never ever man, I'll never be clever child
Goin' down the line with my head up high
I wonder why it's so hard to feel fine
I got all I need
Plastic teeth, a pocket full of speed
And I'm cool in the heat
Groovy little lady, seems I'm wasting her time
I don't want to, move back to crime
People say that I used to do better
So I guess I'm gonna have to get myself together
But I'll never
I'll never be clever
I'll never ever, I'll never be clever
You know that I'll never
I'll never be clever
I'll never ever, I'll never be clever
@ronaldmulukom7477
Nog steeds geweldig ❤
@steefkuus5037
herman was the greatest we have in holland!!beside him is bobby farrel,hazes, and many others who i forgot but are also hollands proud!!we will love you and remind for ever😍
@evertbaauw7391
Rust zacht Herman
@RPNization
20 years today since he passed away. R.I.P. Herman.
@ddoeser5830
Lieve man ! Kapot gegaan aan de drugs ..zeg het maar even ..grootste moordenaar in de wereld waarin we leven ! Haat dat spul ! Groetjes aan iederéén van de muziek ❤🇳🇱🙏🌹
@tacofortgens3471
@@ddoeser5830 Keith Richards leeft nog
@dntstpmving
Still alive cant believe😅
@LylaDjCbgbDjsLovePeace
Always With Us
🔊🎵🔊🎵🎶🔊💃🕺🏼🕴️🐾🐾🍾
Always
Greatings From Barcelona Spain, North California and Caracas
And ThAnks ❤
@clevelandsmith981
Another great piece from a very true talented and much overlooked musical genius; rock on!!! R.I.P.
@funkfanzzify
RIP Herman <3