Neerlands Hoop In Bange Dagen (often referred to simply as 'Neerlands Hoop'… Read Full Bio ↴Neerlands Hoop In Bange Dagen (often referred to simply as 'Neerlands Hoop') was a Dutch comedy/cabaret duo, legendary for the music in their shows and their rock & roll intensity. They were successful in The Netherlands and the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium throughout the 1970s.

Founded in 1967 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Neerlands Hoop consisted of Freek de Jonge (sketches) and Bram Vermeulen (music). Active from 1967 to 1979, they are widely regarded as the most innovative and influential Dutch cabaret act of all time, a duo that changed Dutch theatre and comedy forever.

De Jonge, Vermeulen and Johan Gertenbach, all of them students at Amsterdam University, met in 1967 and formed the cabaret trio, Cabariolet. Music was a key ingredient of their performances from the outset. Fiercely left wing and anti-establishment, Neerlands Hoop continued as a duo after the departure of Gertenbach, early 1968, and became the voice of a Dutch generation, a cabaret/comedy duo in many ways connected to rock culture.

The group wrote five major theatre shows and several shorter shows for special occasions (including the legendary, loud-rocking 'Bloed Aan De Paal': an attempt to get the Dutch national football team to boycott the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, a military dictatorship at the time). They also released five 'music only' albums of Dutch-language pop songs.

Neerlands Hoop incorporated pop and rock music in their high-speed theatre shows. 'Neerlands Hoop Express' (on tour from 1973 to 1975) featured a live (and loud) rock band. Rock guitarist, Jan de Hont (of ZZ & De Maskers and De Maskers), who was in the 'Express' band, became a permanent member of Neerlands Hoop from 1977 onwards. Also part of the 'Express' band was Thé Lau, future frontman of Dutch rockband, The Scene.

In 1979 Freek de Jonge decided to carry on as a solo comedian and performer, leaving Vermeulen devastated. Bram Vermeulen had a respectable solo career as a composer/singer-songwriter. He died unexpectedly in Italy, in 2004, whereas De Jonge is still notoriously prolific and energetic today.

Albums

Neerlands Hoop in Bange Dagen (1970) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
'Live' in Wadway (N.H.) (1971) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
Neerlands Hoop in Panama (1971) (studio album; songs)
Plankenkoorts (1972) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
Weerzien in Panama (1973 (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
Neerlands Hoop Express (1974) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
In genaaid of gebonden (1975) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
28 Liedjes van Bram en Freek (1975) (compilation; songs)
Hoezo jeugdsentiment? (1976) (studio album; songs)
Een kannibaal als jij en ik (1976) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
Interieur (1977) (live theatre show; songs and sketches)
Heimwee naar Holland (1977) (studio album; songs)
Bloed aan de paal (1978) (live theatre show; sketches and music)
Ik ben volmaakt gelukkig (1978) (studio album; songs)
Offsmboet Ippq Dpef (1979) (live theatre show; sketches and music)
De Toetjes (1981) (compilation, unreleased recordings)

Peter
Neerlands Hoop in Bange Dagen Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wie maakt dat ik niets meer lust
Wie verstoort m'n rust?
Ja, dat is Peter
Ja, dat is Peter
Waarom doe ik alles fout
Ben ik warm of koud?
Dat komt door Peter
Dat komt door Peter

Peter is m'n ideaal
Grijze trui en rode sjaal
Blauwe ogen, donker haar
Groot en knap en achttien jaar
Peter vindt de meisjes dom
Kijkt niet naar ze om
Want zo is Peter
Ja, zo is Peter
Peter, Peter, zie je niet
Dat ik ziek ben van verdriet
Peter, ik ben verliefd

Peter zit in de hoogste klas
Ik wou dat ik zo ver al was
Maar als hij dan eens naar mij keek
Was ik totaal van streek

Wie maakt dat ik niets meer lust
Wie verstoort m'n rust?
Ja, dat is Peter
Ja, dat is Peter
Waarom doe ik alles fout
Ben ik warm of koud?
Dat komt door Peter
Dat komt door Peter
Peter is m'n ideaal
Grijze trui en rode sjaal
Blauwe ogen, donker haar
Groot en knap en achttien jaar
Peter vindt de meisjes dom
Hij kijkt niet naar ze om
Ja, zo is Peter
Ja, Peter
Peter, Peter, zie je niet
Dat ik ziek ben van verdriet
Peter, ik ben verliefd

Wie maakt dat ik niets meer lust
Wie verstoort m'n rust?
Ja, dat is Peter
Ja, dat is Peter
Waarom doe ik alles fout
Ben ik warm of koud?
Dat komt door Peter
Peter
Peter is m'n ideaal
Grijze trui en rode sjaal
Blauwe ogen, donker haar
Groot en knap en achttien jaar
Peter vindt de meisjes dom
Kijkt niet naar ze om
Ja, zo is Peter
Lieve Peter
Peter, Peter, zie je niet
Dat ik ziek ben van verdriet
Peter, ik ben verliefd

Peter

Wie maakt dat ik niets meer lust
Wie verstoort m'n rust?
Ja, dat is Peter
Peter
Waarom doe ik alles fout
Ben ik warm of koud?
Dat komt door Peter
Komt door Peter
Peter is m'n ideaal
Grijze trui en rode sjaal
Blauwe ogen, donker haar
Groot en knap en achttien jaar
Peter vindt de meisjes dom
Hij kijkt niet naar ze om
Want zo is Peter
Ja, zo is Peter
Peter, Peter, zie je niet
Dat ik ziek ben van verdriet
Peter, ik ben verliefd

Petertje
Ah, Peter

Overall Meaning

The song "Peter" by Neerlands Hoop in Bange Dagen is a nostalgic and bittersweet reflection on unrequited love. The lyrics follow a young girl who is hopelessly in love with a boy named Peter, who is her ideal and the cause of all her confusion and unhappiness. She describes Peter's physical appearance, his disdain for other girls, and the effect he has on her emotions. She longs for him to notice her but also acknowledges that he is unattainable, as he is older and more mature.

The girl's obsession with Peter is representative of an innocent and naive first love, where everything is heightened and exaggerated. The song captures the confusion and frustration that comes with loving someone who does not reciprocate those feelings, and the way it can consume one's thoughts and emotions. The repetition of Peter's name throughout the song emphasizes the overwhelming presence he has in the girl's life, and the way he dominates her thoughts.

The song also touches on themes of insecurity and self-doubt, as the girl questions whether her mistakes and shortcomings are caused by her love for Peter. This adds a layer of complexity to the song, as it suggests that unhealthy or unrequited love can have negative consequences on one's mental state.

Overall, "Peter" is a poignant and relatable song about the pain of unrequited love and the complexities of first love.

Line by Line Meaning

Wie maakt dat ik niets meer lust
Who is responsible for my loss of appetite?

Wie verstoort m'n rust?
Who disturbs my peace?

Ja, dat is Peter
Yes, it's Peter

Waarom doe ik alles fout
Why do I always mess up?

Ben ik warm of koud?
Am I hot or cold?

Dat komt door Peter
It's because of Peter

Peter is m'n ideaal
Peter is my ideal

Grijze trui en rode sjaal
Grey sweater and red scarf

Blauwe ogen, donker haar
Blue eyes, dark hair

Groot en knap en achttien jaar
Tall, handsome, and eighteen years old