The Scene is the name of at least five bands; one Dutch, one Canadian, one … Read Full Bio ↴The Scene is the name of at least five bands; one Dutch, one Canadian, one British, one German, and one English.

1) A Dutch rock band from Amsterdam called The Scene, formed around singer Thé Lau.

The band was formed in 1979 and had its glory days in the Nineties. The band had a great variety of members throughout the years, but the sound remained basically the same. Thé Lau's characteristic raw and hoarse voice and his hypnotising compositions are the focal point of the band.

At the beginning of 1980, the band is called 'best Dutch band without an album' by magazine OOR.

In May of the same year, the first album is released. All the songs are sung in English save for two tracks with lyrics in Dutch. The album is received well by the magazines, yet was commercially less successful.

It took seven years to make a follow-up (Rij Rij Rij), due to various occasions. The members in 1987 are, next to Thé Lau, Emilie Blom van Assendelft (bass) and Wim Zeeman (drums).

In 1989, the band welcomes two new members: Otto Cooymans (piano) and Eus van Someren (guitar). The single Rauw, Hees, Teder is released. Wim Zeeman is replaced by Jeroen Booy in January of 1990. The band also signs a record deal with Phonogram.

The results are the singles Rigoreus and Iedereen is van de Wereld and the album Blauw with all-Dutch lyrics. Everybody is very enthusiastic about this album, especially the people in Belgium.

One year later, the band is invited for the international Torhout/Werchter-festival. 'Rij Rij Rij' is released again.

The 1992 album Open receives an Edison, a Dutch music award, followed by the 'Popprijs' in 1993.

In October 1993 the next album is released: Avenue de la Scene. This album is a bit darker than the previous ones, and is a bit of a setback. The three singles get some airplay, but aren't big hits.

In April 1996, the album Arena is released on the Island label. This album is produced by Emile den Tex and tells the story about the battle against the nonchalance of existence. It's one of the best albums recorded bij The Scene.

Otto Cooymans leaves the band in 1997, due to 'artistic disagreements' as he calls it. He is replaced by Dante Oei, only 20 years old at that time.

Marlene is the first album with Dante Oei and is produced bij Thé Lau himself and is released in 1998.

It takes until 2000 before The Scene releases another album. The compilation album Rauw, Hees, Teder: Het Beste Van contains the hit single Helden, part of a Dutch commercial. That year, the band also receives a platinum record (100.000 albums sold) for 'Blauw'.

In 2002, the band can't get to an agreement for a new album, so Thé decides to make a second solo album. This appears to be the end of this band and in November, Thé tells the press that The Scene has disbanded.

In 2007 the band get together again for a series of concerts (mainly festivals). They release another album, simply called 2007, which contains new versions of old songs and two brand new songs.

The reunion becomes more solid when the album Liefde Op Doorreis gets released at the end of 2009.

Official website: www.thescene.nu

2) There was a UK band by the same name, a mod revival band from Bradford, Yorkshire, England.

The band formed in 1978 with Ian Harding (guitar & vocals), Phill Harding (guitar & keyboards), Dave Green (guitar), Ian James (bass) and George Mazur (drums). They performed all over northern England until they disbanded in 1981. They played a mixture of soul, R&B, 1960s rock & roll and punk rock. They started out performing cover songs, but soon began mainly playing original material. The band released one record — a vinyl 7-inch single with "Hey Girl" on one side and "Reach The Top" on the other — on their own 'Hole in the Wall' record label. Both tracks are now available for free download from the band's website. George Mazur went on to play with The Godfathers. Phill Harding became a composer and sonic artist. Ian Harding went on to play in various bands including Buddy Valentine and the Lonely Hearts, The Muskrats, The Gathering, The Men From The Mountains, TNT, The Doctors of Love, and Johnny 7.

3) The Scene are also a Canadian rock band formed in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada in 2004, by Matthew Crowley (vocals, guitar), Mark Chamberlain (bass guitar), and Jeff Gutteridge (drums). All members share a common interest and inspiration from Britpop bands from the early 90's, and as such, their sound is a combination of powerful guitar rock and beautiful melodies. The Scene have played many festivals in the United States and Canada, including 2 appearances at the North by Northeast festival in Toronto, Ontario, and at the historic CBGB's in September of 2004 with New York based group Hanslick Rebellion. They have released one EP - "The Orange EP" in December of 2005. In 2007 The Scene is one of 10 bands in UBL.com's final of the Ultimate Band of Bands competition.

4) There is also a fourth band from Germany using this name.

5) Selena Gomez's band name is The Scene. If you're listening to them, please scrobble under Selena Gomez & The Scene

Arena
The Scene Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

er werd hevig gestreden
en de arena was vol
er werd gevloekt en geleden
we waren allemaal dol

ik zag een grote victorie
ik zag een schitterend licht
ik zag drama en glorie

met een verbeten gezicht

en als je vraagt heeft het zin
als je vraagt heeft het zin
is het antwoord ja, het heeft zin

nadat ik hem had geheven
heb ik de beker gekust
ik zag de zin van het leven
de brand die nooit wordt geblust

en het geschreeuw van de mensen
het klonk beangstigend groot
ja het geschreeuw van de mensen
het echoot na tot je dood

en als je vraagt heeft het zin
als je vraagt heeft het zin
is het antwoord ja, het heeft zin

ik luister nu naar de regen
en naar de gierende wind
en ja ik kom mezelf tegen
maar kom de avond begint

en als je vraagt heeft het zin

als je vraagt heeft het zin
is het antwoord ja, het heeft zin

Overall Meaning

The Scene's "Arena," is a song about the intensity and meaning found in life. The arena described in the lyrics is a metaphor for life itself, with the chaotic and passionate events happening within its walls compared to the individual experiences of each person. The lyrics describe a sense of excitement, struggle, and triumph that comes with this life "battle." It is through this strife that we can find joy and purpose in existence.

The singer describes seeing both victory and defeat within the arena, with the drama and glory of each moment etched on the faces of those caught in the middle of it. The intensity of the experience is reflected in the sawing-violin music, with the lyrics expressing a sense of clarity that comes from going through something challenging. The song ends with an acceptance of the inevitable struggle and the rain and wind as a reminder of the forces of the world that cannot be controlled. The message is that despite the difficulties, life has value and meaning, even if it is a struggle.

Line by Line Meaning

er werd hevig gestreden
There was intense fighting and competition happening in the arena.

en de arena was vol
The arena was packed with people witnessing the competition.

er werd gevloekt en geleden
There was cursing and suffering among all of the competitors.

we waren allemaal dol
All of us were crazy and passionate about the competition.

ik zag een grote victorie
I witnessed a huge victory.

ik zag een schitterend licht
I saw a bright light shining.

ik zag drama en glorie
I saw both drama and glory in the intense competition.

met een verbeten gezicht
With a determined and focused expression.

en als je vraagt heeft het zin
And if you ask if it's worth it.

is het antwoord ja, het heeft zin
The answer is yes, it's worth it.

nadat ik hem had geheven
After I lifted the trophy.