After playing piano in Cuby + 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. It was taken from their best known and most succesful studio album, 1978's Shpritsz. A a live band, the leather-clad Wild Romance took The Netherlands (and Germany) by storm.
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. In the 1990s he took up painting and soon became more successful as a painter athan he was as a musician (for a rock musician as legendary as Herman Brood, his studio LPs after 1980 sold remarkably poorly).
Brood swore off most drugs, reducing his drug use to alcohol and a daily shot of speed. Sadly (and ironically), this healthier lifestyle turned him into a vulnerable man almost overnight. He decided to take matters into his own hands and committed suicide: on 11 July 2001 he jumped off the roof of the Amsterdam Hilton hotel, at aged of 54.
Close friend, Bart Chabot, wrote about Brood's life in a string of biographies: "Broodje gezond", "Broodje halfom", "Brood en spelen" and "Broodje springlevend". Admirer, Black Francis, recorded a studio album (Bluefinger) as a tribute to Herman Brood.
Lady Killer
Herman Brood & His Wild Romance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A swimming pool
A big round bed & a bath for two
To keep him cool
A hot rod on the table
A suitcase full of cash
A big fat smile in the sun
The boy got glass
He's the law
Gets a draw
Broke a jaw
Went to war
He knows the score
Ladykiller
Watch it
Ladykiller
There's a maddog from bersheba
A cow from Northern Spain
There's a plan to take him out
He knows the game
A knight in p.r. armor
He gets the girls
A smile in the sun &
He saves the world
He's the law
Gets a draw
Broke a jaw
Went to war
Ladykiller
Watch it
Ladykiller
Awake
A dream
A room
A scream
This is the real thing
Wonderlady come home
Ladykiller
Watch it
Ladykiller
Come on all you jesters
All you socalled vips
Come to the conclusion
Button up y'r lips
Feelin' like a nono
Actin' like a man
Feelin' out of place
Flashin' from the pan
Ofcourse he knew the answer
He couldn't play the game
Walkin' in the rain
Walkin' in the rain
The lyrics to Herman Brood & His Wild Romance's song Lady Killer paints a picture of a glamorous and dangerous man who attracts women easily but also knows how to handle himself in tough situations. The first verse describes the kind of life he lives, with a luxurious home featuring a swimming pool, big round bed and bath for two. There's also a hot rod on the table and a suitcase full of cash. The man always looks cool and happy in the sun, but he is tough as glass and has a dangerous past, having been to war and having broken someone's jaw.
The chorus of the song warns the ladies to watch out for this man, calling him a ladykiller. Interestingly, the second verse talks about someone wanting to take this man out and describing him as a knight in p.r. armor who gets the girls and saves the world. It seems that he is both loved and hated, with some people seeing him as a hero and others wanting to bring him down. The bridge of the song brings in a dream-like quality and speaks of a woman calling out for Wonderlady to come home.
Overall, the song appears to be a cautionary tale about a charismatic man who is not to be trusted, but is also somewhat of a hero to some. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a dangerous lifestyle, but with a hint of glamour and romance.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a jackpot down the drive way
There is a luxurious house with all the amenities around it.
A swimming pool
A pool to swim in, providing relaxation and refreshment.
A big round bed & a bath for two
A comfortable bed and bathtub for two people to enjoy each other's company.
To keep him cool
To maintain a refreshing, calm demeanor despite the luxuries around him.
A hot rod on the table
A classic car, symbolizing wealth and status, displayed for admiration.
A suitcase full of cash
Having a lot of money and being able to afford all the luxuries in life.
A big fat smile in the sun
Being happy and content with one's life, enjoying the sun and all the luxuries it provides.
The boy got glass
The boy is high on drugs or alcohol, which may be one of the reasons for his happiness and carefree attitude.
He's the law
He's a tough guy who plays by his own rules, and nobody can mess with him.
Gets a draw
He's quick to draw his weapon and defend himself if necessary.
Broke a jaw
He's violent and doesn't hesitate to physically attack someone who crosses him or disrespects him.
Went to war
He has been to war, maybe as a soldier or in some other capacity, but it has toughened him up and made him fearless.
He knows the score
He knows how to navigate through life and come out on top, no matter what obstacles he faces.
Ladykiller
He's a man who charms and seduces women, and he knows it.
Watch it
A warning to other men or women to be careful around him, as he has the potential to cause heartbreak or even harm.
There's a maddog from bersheba
There is an aggressive or unpredictable person somewhere, maybe someone he has to deal with or handle in some way.
A cow from Northern Spain
An obscure reference, possibly representing something valuable or strange that he has acquired or needs to protect.
There's a plan to take him out
There are people who want to harm or hurt him, and he's aware of their plan and taking precautions.
He knows the game
He's street-smart and knows how to handle dangerous or tricky situations and people.
A knight in p.r. armor
He's good at public relations and putting on a friendly, charming facade that makes him well-liked and respected.
He gets the girls
He's a charismatic and attractive man who can easily win over women and get them to fall for him.
A smile in the sun &
He continues to be happy and carefree, enjoying all the attention and admiration he's getting.
He saves the world
He sees himself as a hero, someone who can make a difference in the world and help others.
Awake
Being awakened to the harsh realities of life, including danger and consequences.
A dream
An idealized version of life that may not be attainable or realistic.
A room
A confined space, symbolizing a lack of freedom and the feeling of being trapped or stuck.
A scream
A release of emotion or frustration, possibly indicating that things aren't going well for him despite his outward success.
This is the real thing
Coming to the realization that life is not all happiness and luxury, and that there are challenges and difficulties that cannot be avoided.
Wonderlady come home
A plea to a woman who he sees as an ideal partner or savior, someone who can help him through his difficulties and bring him back to a state of happiness and contentment.
Come on all you jesters
Addressing all the people who mock or underestimate him, or those who try to bring him down.
All you socalled vips
Referring to all the people who consider themselves to be important or influential, but who he sees as fake or pretentious.
Come to the conclusion
Realizing that he can't rely on anyone else to help him, and that he must take charge of his own life and struggles.
Button up y'r lips
A command to everyone else to keep their criticisms and negativity to themselves.
Feelin' like a nono
Feeling like an outsider, or someone who doesn't fit in with the rest of society.
Actin' like a man
Taking charge of his own life and struggles, and not letting anyone else dictate his actions or emotions.
Feelin' out of place
Not feeling comfortable or accepted in his current situation, and wanting to make a change.
Flashin' from the pan
Seemingly successful or colorful, but ultimately shallow and not worth paying attention to.
Ofcourse he knew the answer
He's confident in his own abilities and knowledge, and doesn't doubt himself or his decisions.
He couldn't play the game
He's not interested in playing by other people's rules or expectations, and wants to forge his own path in life.
Walkin' in the rain
A metaphor for walking alone, feeling sad or lost, but also having a sense of adventure and unpredictability in life.
Contributed by Ella H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Neil Ouellette
He couldn't escape drug use or his demons. He jumped off the roof of the Amsterdam Hilton back in July of 2001. His suicide note only said "Party on. I'll be seeing you". Real sad.
Robert Schol
Original song written and performed by Flash and The Pan.
First Case
Je hoort de lp versie maar de orginele opname is de single versie
danoh's toolbox
this dose no justice to the original from flash in the pan