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.
PROUD
Herman Brood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a strong feelin'
My habits ain't good
Guess I'm losin'
Some good ol' respect
In this neighbourhood
Give me a break
As long as you don't know
What why'are talkin' about
Won't be long
Before why'are gonna find out
Why'are local misfit's gonna be
A national breakout
Gonna prove why'are smalltown
Judgement wrong
Gonna do a lil' thing
To make you feel
PROUD
PROUD
Take life by the neck
& I won't let go
Entertain this mob
Like fightin' a bull in a rodeo
I don't wanna be poor
I gotta have a job
But not like everybody else
On the block
Take you by surprise
Stop complaining so loud
Gonna do a lil' thing
To make you feel
PROUD
PROUD
Just in time rock turns out to be a way to prove why'are not just a too far gone disconnected dopey nitwit makin' nowhere plans in the basement instead of ..... uh..
The song "Proud" by Herman Brood & His Wild Romance is a declaration of determination and refusal to conform to society's expectations. Brood reflects on how his habits are perceived by people around him, admitting that he may be losing respect in the neighborhood. However, he resents the complaints and negativity, challenging the people to give him a break and stop judging him for who he is. He believes that he is on the verge of a national breakout and wants to prove his small town's judgment of him wrong.
Brood is adamant about taking life by the neck and not letting go. He sees himself as a performer who must entertain the audience like fighting a bull in rodeo. He does not want to live in poverty and wants to find a job that is different from everyone else's on the block, suggesting that he is not afraid to take risks to achieve his goals. Brood asserts that he will do something that will make people feel proud of him, perhaps suggesting that he has not always made the best decisions but is now determined to make a positive impact.
"Proud" is an anthem of resilience and perseverance against societal constraints. Brood urges his listeners not to judge a book by its cover and to look beyond their preconceived notions of him. The song is a reminder that everyone has their unique path, and we should embrace our individuality and not be afraid to follow our dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
People round me
There are people around Herman Brood who have strong opinions about him.
Got a strong feelin'
These people have a negative impression of Herman and his behavior.
My habits ain't good
Herman recognizes that his behavior is causing him to lose respect in his community.
Guess I'm losin'
Herman admits that he is no longer viewed in a positive light.
Some good ol' respect
Herman misses the respect he used to receive from his neighbors.
In this neighbourhood
His neighborhood is where Herman has lost the respect of others.
Give me a break
Herman is asking for some understanding from others.
Stop complaining so loud
He is asking others not to criticize him so harshly.
As long as you don't know
Herman believes that others are criticizing him without fully understanding his situation.
What why'are talkin' about
He feels others are not qualified to make judgments about his life.
Won't be long
Herman is confident that he will soon prove his critics wrong.
Before why'are gonna find out
Others will soon see that Herman is a talented musician and not just a troublemaker.
Why'are local misfit's gonna be
Herman's nonconformist ways will soon propel him to fame outside his hometown.
A national breakout
Herman believes that he will become famous throughout the country.
Gonna prove why'are smalltown
Herman will prove his hometown's judgment of him to be incorrect.
Judgement wrong
He believes his neighbors' negative opinion of him is mistaken.
Gonna do a lil' thing
Herman promises to do something to make others proud of him.
To make you feel
The thing Herman does will be something that others can look up to.
PROUD
Herman wants others to feel proud of him and his accomplishments.
Take life by the neck
Herman intends to seize control of his life and not let it slip away.
& I won't let go
Once he has a grip on his life, he won't let anything take it away from him.
Entertain this mob
Herman views his audience as a crowd that he must entertain.
Like fightin' a bull in a rodeo
Herman likens performing to a rodeo, where he must put on a show and take risks.
I don't wanna be poor
Herman doesn't want to be struggling financially.
I gotta have a job
Herman needs to make money to stay afloat.
But not like everybody else
Herman doesn't want to work a typical job like everyone else.
On the block
He wants to break free from the routine of a normal life.
Take you by surprise
Herman intends to surprise people with his talent and success.
Gonna do a lil' thing
He promises to take action to prove his worth to others.
To make you feel
Herman's action will make others feel proud of him.
PROUD
Herman wants others to view him in a positive light.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID HOLLESTELLE, HERMANUS BROOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TVCollege Hilversum
Pracht nummer!
peith kichards
koppig spul! mooi man, het zijn de bekende kwartjes die pas jaren later vallen....
rooie rita
Geweldig! Thanx.
Peter Tschirky
I LOVE BROOD'S MUSIC AND HIS MUSICANS...... GREAT .... I MISS HIM!!! PETER TSCHIRKY SWITZERLAND
thebrood40
Klasse dat je toch iedere keer weer wat nieuws weet te plaatsen.
Iapetus Ιαπετός
Με φτιάχνεις από τα 17 μου
thebrood40
Jong koppie had ie hier nog..!!