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
Mannenlied
The Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
wij kunnen ware woorden spreken
wij kunnen uit onszelf breken
samen zijn we iedereen
sluimerend in 't duister onbegrepen
vertwijfeld en verketterd en verwenst
in dit licht de ogen dichtgeknepen
mannen zullen mannen zijn
onder vuur en in het duister
waar het woord van liefde wordt gefluisterd
want samen zijn we niet alleen
sluimerend in 't duister onbegrepen
vertwijfeld en verketterd en verwenst
in dit licht de ogen dichtgeknepen
schuilt niet in elk van ons een mens
The Scene's song Mannenlied is a powerful reflection on the need for human connection and the vulnerability and complexity of masculinity. The opening line, "kom vriend laat mij hier niet alleen" (come friend don't leave me alone here), sets the tone for the song's urgent plea for male companionship and emotional support. The lyrics speak to the isolation and confusion that many men feel, particularly in times of crisis or emotional turmoil. The line "wij kunnen uit onszelf breken" (we can break out of ourselves) suggests the potential for growth and transformation that can come from honest and vulnerable communication with other men.
The chorus, "mannen zullen mannen zijn" (men will be men), is both an acknowledgement of the flaws and limitations of masculinity, as well as a call to resist toxic masculinity and embrace the power of love and connection. The line "waar het woord van liefde wordt gefluisterd" (where the word of love is whispered) suggests that true strength and resilience come from expressing vulnerability and emotions in a supportive community.
The song's repetition of the line "schuilt niet in elk van ons een mens" (doesn't a man exist in each of us) underscores the universality of the human experience and the need for empathy and understanding. The Scene's Mannenlied is a powerful reminder that men can and should rely on each other for support, and that vulnerability and emotional expression are not signs of weakness, but rather of strength and authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
kom vriend laat mij hier niet alleen
Do not leave me here all by myself, my friend, stay with me while we share honest words and break free from our limitations, for together we are everyone.
wij kunnen ware woorden spreken
We have the ability to speak the truth without fear or hesitation because we have each other's support.
wij kunnen uit onszelf breken
We can break out of our own limitations and reach for our full potential by coming together and supporting one another.
samen zijn we iedereen
We are everyone when we come together and create a community that supports and understands one another.
sluimerend in 't duister onbegrepen
Often misunderstood and ignored as we quietly exist in the darkness of our own thoughts and emotions.
vertwijfeld en verketterd en verwenst
Feeling doubtful, condemned, and bitterly cursed by the world around us for expressing who we truly are.
in dit licht de ogen dichtgeknepen
Despite being in the light, we shut our eyes to the world around us because of the fear of judgment and rejection.
schuilt niet in elk van ons een mens
But deep down, every individual, regardless of their outer appearance, is a human being with desires, emotions, and experiences that shape their existence.
mannen zullen mannen zijn
No matter the circumstance or situation, men will always act like men and maintain their identity and demeanor.
onder vuur en in het duister
Facing adversity and challenges, both physically and mentally, while attempting to navigate through the darkness of uncertainty and insecurity.
waar het woord van liefde wordt gefluisterd
Finding comfort in expressing love, care, and affection towards one another, even in a world full of hatred and animosity.
want samen zijn we niet alleen
Because when we join together, we are reminded that we are not alone in the struggle and that we can rely on each other for support and understanding.
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.