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

Varken Met Succes
The Scene Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

excuseer me vrienden
gun me even tijd
ik had iemand willen slaan
niet gedaan en ik heb spijt

het is een vage man
die een slijmspoor achterlaat
een vage man

van het soort dat ik haat

en hij noemt zich presentator
is geslaagd voor een soort test
maar hij is geen inspirator
maar een varken met succes

excuseer me vrienden
gun me één moment
ik stond oog in oog met iemand
en ik heb hem herkend

het is een man die
krokodilletranen achterlaat
die zijn moeder zou verkopen
als het daarom gaat

en hij noemt zich presentator
is geslaagd voor een soort test
maar hij is geen inspirator
maar een varken met succes

hagoe manga succes

Overall Meaning

The Scene's song "Varken Met Succes" is a powerful commentary on the nature of success and how it can often be misleading. The lyrics start with an apology to friends for needing a moment to deal with strong emotions. The singer explains that they had wanted to physically harm someone but ultimately decided against it and regrets having had such violent thoughts.

The lyrics then pivot to describe the object of the singer's anger: a "vague man" who leaves a slimy trail behind him, the type of person the singer hates. This man calls himself a presenter and has passed some sort of test, but rather than being inspiring, he is instead a "pig with success." The chorus repeats this label and further emphasizes the point that success does not necessarily equate with worth or goodness.

In the second verse, the lyrics shift to a different person the singer recognizes. This man leaves behind crocodile tears and would supposedly sell his own mother if it meant getting ahead. Like the first man, he calls himself a presenter and has passed a test, but again, he is labeled a "pig with success."

Overall, the song seems to criticize those who value success above all else, even if it means leaving behind a trail of slime or being willing to do anything to get ahead. The labels "vague man" and "pig with success" create a powerful image and critique of these types of people.

Line by Line Meaning

excuseer me vrienden
Sorry friends, please give me a moment.

gun me even tijd
Allow me some time.

ik had iemand willen slaan
I had wanted to hit someone.

niet gedaan en ik heb spijt
I didn't do it and I regret it.

het is een vage man
He is a shady man.

die een slijmspoor achterlaat
He leaves a trail of slime.

een vage man
A dodgy man.

van het soort dat ik haat
The kind of person I despise.

en hij noemt zich presentator
And he calls himself a presenter.

is geslaagd voor een soort test
He passed some sort of test.

maar hij is geen inspirator
But he is not an inspiration.