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.
Young
Herman Brood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shoot up speed
I'm on top
around the clock
I shoot up speed
a life of bliss
a new day comin'
It never ends
I don't have friends
I've got my shot
I talk a lot
A one man show
I'm talkin' mono
yakkety yak
don't talk back
so
I never sleep
and break it up
I shoot up speed
I'm blessed in weed
I'm wide open
around the clock
See me runnin' honey 'round the block
I stand up dreamin' I don't waste time
Feedback don't reach me
but I feel fine
yakkety yak
don't talk back
Cause you're young
Cause you're young
When you're young
When you're young
I've got my choice
so I can win
I'm still narcotic
under my skin
I'm a wreck
hear me moan
I'm suicidal
she ain't home
See the crowd
go to the office
I can smile
cause I'm the toughest
Fixin' speed
fixin' the backseat
I'm hangin' out
I never sleep
Cause you're young
Cause you're young
When you're young
When you're young
I never sleep
I shoot up speed
I'm on top
around the clock
I shoot up speed
a life of bliss
a new day comin'
I won't miss
It never ends
I don't have friends
I've got my shot
I talk a lot
A one man show
I'm talkin' mono
yakkety yak
honey - don't talk back
Cause you're young - yakkety yak - honey - don't talk back
Cause you're young - yakkety yak - don't talk back
When you're young - keeps me young
When you're young - keeps me young
Cause you're young
The song "Young" by Herman Brood is a reflection on the reckless, fast-paced lifestyle of a youth that is fueled by drugs, particularly speed and weed. The opening lines of the song strongly suggest that the singer is either not sleeping or is unable to sleep at all due to his drug intake. The lyrics indicate that he derives pleasure and satisfaction from their use, and that he does not want this lifestyle to stop. He is a one-man-show, talking excessively, and narcissistic. This is shown through the lines "A one-man show, I'm talkin' mono, yakkety yak, don't talk back."
The verses in the song "Young" are simple and repetitive but effective in conveying the message that the singer is addicted to drugs, detached from society, and obsessed with his youthful energy. Here, the refrain "Cause you're young, When you're young" furthers this message by emphasizing the idea that the singer's drug use allows him to cling to his youth and avoid the consequences of adult life.
In all, "Young" is a reflection of the lost and decadent lives of youth in the 80s. Brood's raw and authentic perspective on the drug and sex culture of the time compliments the punk rock genre that he was known for. The song represents the rebellious nature of the generation that came of age in the era of punk rock.
Line by Line Meaning
I never sleep
I don't rest, I stay up all the time
I shoot up speed
I take drugs to boost my energy levels
I'm on top
I am successful and dominant in my life
around the clock
24 hours a day, every day
a life of bliss
I am living a joyful existence
a new day comin'
I have a positive outlook on my future
I never miss
I don't fail, I always succeed
It never ends
My lifestyle is endless, it doesn't stop
I don't have friends
I don't have close relationships with others
I've got my shot
I have my drugs to rely on
I talk a lot
I am a chatterbox
A one man show
I am a solo act, I don't need others to perform
I'm talkin' mono
I am speaking alone
yakkety yak
I am chattering aimlessly
don't talk back
I don't want to hear any responses or opinions
I'm blessed in weed
I am fortunate to have access to marijuana
I'm wide open
I am exposed and vulnerable
See me runnin' honey 'round the block
I am constantly moving, never stopping
I stand up dreamin' I don't waste time
I spend my time on my aspirations
Feedback don't reach me
I don't care about criticism or feedback
but I feel fine
I am content
Cause you're young
Being young is the reason why I can live like this
I've got my choice
I have the freedom to choose what I want to do
so I can win
I have the ability to succeed because of my choices
I'm still narcotic
I am still addicted to drugs
under my skin
It is something that is part of me and difficult to shake
I'm a wreck
I am not in good condition
hear me moan
I complain frequently
I'm suicidal
I think about taking my own life
she ain't home
The person I want to be with is not there
See the crowd
I am aware of the people around me
go to the office
Others are going to work while I am not
I can smile
I am happy despite my rough lifestyle
cause I'm the toughest
I can handle anything thrown my way
Fixin' speed
I am preparing my drugs to take
fixin' the backseat
I am getting my drugs ready in a discreet manner
I'm hangin' out
I am spending time with others
Cause you're young - yakkety yak - honey - don't talk back
Being young is why I can talk aimlessly and not want to hear any responses
When you're young - keeps me young
Being young and living carelessly helps me feel young
Contributed by Colin S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.