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.
To Who Do You Belong
Herman Brood & His Wild Romance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always telling the truth, a lot stronger than you
She's your own creation, y'r crippled dream
The only one, to make your body steam
The head is a toilet, if you don't flush
The shit piles up, and get lost in the buzz
There's a heart that beats, the hall of fame
Zing on a string babe
Yes I can zing on a string
I got a string so strong
A string so strong
I'll be the one, to keep you on track
Deliver the poison, beast on your back
I'll be y'r pusher man, y'r pusher brother
Y'r pusher dog, I'll be y'r pusher mother
Zing on a string babe – singing on a string
I got a string so strong – singing on a string
Yes I can zing on a string – singing on a string
I got a string so strong – singing on a string
To who do you belong
To who do you belong
To who do you belong
To who, to who, to who
Zing on a string babe – singing on a string
I got a string so strong – singing on a string
Yes I can zing on a string – singing on a string
String so strong – singing on a string
To who do you belong
To who do you belong
To who do you belong
To who, to who, to who, to who, to who
To who do you belong, to who
To who do you belong
To who do you belong, to who
To who, to who, to who, to who, to who
The lyrics of "To Who Do You Belong" by Herman Brood & His Wild Romance seem to be about a person who is struggling with their inner demons and is in need of someone to keep them on track. The "beast on your back" may represent addiction or some other kind of personal demon that this person is struggling with. The lyrics suggest that this person's addiction or personal struggle is stronger than they are, but there is someone (the singer) who will help deliver the "poison" and be their "pusher" to help them cope. The line "to who do you belong" is repeated throughout the song, perhaps as a way of asking the person who they are and what they stand for.
The song also contains a lot of wordplay and metaphors, such as "the head is a toilet, if you don't flush, the shit piles up, and gets lost in the buzz." This seems to suggest that if you don't deal with the things that are bothering you, they will accumulate and cause more problems.
Overall, the song appears to be an anthem for those who struggle with addiction, inner demons, or personal struggles. The message seems to be that there is always someone who will be there to help, but it is up to the individual to decide who they want to belong to.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll think the beast on your back, deserves more respect
I believe that the burdens you carry should be given more value and importance
Always telling the truth, a lot stronger than you
Being honest is a powerful quality that you lack
She's your own creation, y'r crippled dream
Your problems and struggles are results of your own making and shattered aspirations
The only one, to make your body steam
The only person who can excite and motivate you to action
The head is a toilet, if you don't flush
If you don't let go of negative thoughts, your mind will become clogged and dirty
The shit piles up, and get lost in the buzz
Overwhelming emotions can cause confusion and make it difficult to think clearly
There's a heart that beats, the hall of fame
With every heartbeat, it's a reminder of the highs and lows life has to offer
Ready and able, to keep me out of the rain
I feel prepared to face and overcome any emotional struggle, adversity, or hardships I may encounter
I'll be the one, to keep you on track
I'll be your guide and support system to keep you focused and on the right path
Deliver the poison, beast on your back
I'll be the one to deliver tough love and hard truth that will benefit you in the long run
I'll be y'r pusher man, y'r pusher brother
I'll be the one to push you towards your goals and motivate you when you're feeling down
Y'r pusher dog, I'll be y'r pusher mother
I'll be your loyal support system and caregiver, providing love and nurturing when you need it most
To who do you belong
Who do you owe your loyalty and allegiance to?
Zing on a string babe – singing on a string
My soul and spirit are alive and well, expressed through music and creativity
I got a string so strong – singing on a string
My passion and love for music is a vital part of who I am and what I stand for
To who, to who, to who
I am curious and questioning about who you identify with and devote your time to
Contributed by Carter K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.