In 1981 Ad van den Berg worked with vocalist Jos Veldhuizen, bassist Peter Van Eyk, and drummer Bico De Gooijer in a band called Teaser. He auditioned for Thin Lizzy, without success. With a new line-up (Bert Heerink (vocals), Ad Van Den Berg (guitar), Dick Kemper (bass), and Jos Zoomer on drums), Teaser recorded a demo that fell into the hands of pop-journalist Kees Baars. Baars offered to manage the group, and contracted the band at Atlantic Records in the U.S..
Their debut-album was recorded at former Led Zeppelin's guitarist Jimmy Page's studio, and in 1983 their first single, Burning Heart, reached #5 in the US charts. Vandenberg toured the US as opening act for Ozzy Osbourne and KISS, and toured independently in Japan in 1984. Different Worlds, from their second album also did fairly well in the charts, but did not equal the success of Burning Heart.
The band's third album was recorded in the Netherlands, produced by Jaap Eggermont, manager of the Golden Earring. The album flopped, and not long after the band parted ways with lead-singer Bert Heerink. Demos with new lead singer Peter Struyk were not well received by Atlantic.
Around that time, Ad van den Berg (who often uses an Anglicized version of his Dutch name: Adrian Vandenberg) played as a guest-soloist on the Whitesnake album, and in 1987 Whitesnake vocalist David Coverdale asked him to join the band permanently. With the band Vandenberg amounting to nothing, the guitarist accepted the invitation.
The other members also started or joined other projects: Jos Zoomer and Peter Struyk joined Avalon, and Dick Kemper started a new band, No Exqze.
In 2004 there was a reunion session of Vandenberg, and they released a double-CD, "The Definitive Vandenberg", a compilation of the band's best songs and featuring a newly-recorded version of "Burning Heart". In January, 2005 the band released a DVD with footage of a 1984 Tokyo concert.
All the Way
Vandenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This didn't turn out like I planned, seems I gotta go on 'til the end
Now two cops are killed by my gun, oh-oh-oh, this place is hot, gotta run
A price on my head, my picture's all over the place
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
[Chorus:]
Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way
Goin' all the way, gotta go all the way, I'm in this right up to my neck
This just isn't my kind of life, no no, but in movies it always seems so fine
There crooks always pull hot women
But all I have pulled, all I have pulled is the trigger, oh-oh
A price on my head, my picture's all over the place
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
(chorus)
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
Reached the point where there ain't no way back
Goin' all the way, gotta go all the way, I'm in this right up to my neck
Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way
Reached the point where there ain't no way back - all the way!
Vandenberg’s song "All the Way" talks about a criminal who has gone too far and there's no turning back. He should have believed what "they" said, but now it's too late. He's wanted for killing two cops, with a price on his head and his picture all over the place. He knows he's in too deep, but he has no choice but to go on until the end. He's reached the point where there's no way back, and he's in it up to his neck.
The lyrics of the song reflect on the character's realization that his life is not the way he planned it to be. He feels trapped and has no other option but to continue until he either wins or loses. The song highlights the struggles of an individual in a dire situation, reflecting on how he trusts the ways of the movies and crooks to have hot women along their side. However, his only experience in life so far has been with pulling the trigger.
The song has a tone that is reflective of the character's emotional state. With a steady beat and strong vocals, it feels like the character is running away and fighting for his life. The chorus, "Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way, reached the point where there ain't no way back," is repeated twice, emphasizing the fact that there is no turning back. This message is further reinforced when the last line is repeated a third time while ending the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I should have believed what they said, now it's too late to go back
I didn't listen to the warnings and now I'm stuck in this situation with no way out.
This didn't turn out like I planned, seems I gotta go on 'til the end
Things have gone wrong and I have to see this through to the end.
Now two cops are killed by my gun, oh-oh-oh, this place is hot, gotta run
I've committed a serious crime and now the heat is on, I have to escape.
A price on my head, my picture's all over the place
I'm a wanted criminal and everyone is looking for me.
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
I haven't been caught yet, so I'll do whatever it takes to avoid capture.
Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way
I'm committed to seeing this through to the end, no matter the cost.
Reached the point where there ain't no way back
I'm in too deep and there's no turning back now.
Gotta go all the way, I'm in this right up to my neck
I've gone too far to back out now, I'm in too deep.
This just isn't my kind of life, no no, but in movies it always seems so fine
I never wanted a life of crime, but it always looks glamorous in movies.
There crooks always pull hot women
In movies, criminals always seem to get attractive romantic partners.
But all I have pulled, all I have pulled is the trigger, oh-oh
I haven't gained anything from a life of crime except for a trail of bodies behind me.
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
I haven't been caught yet, so I'll do whatever it takes to avoid capture.
Reached the point where there ain't no way back
I'm in too deep and there's no turning back now.
Goin' all the way, gotta go all the way, I'm in this right up to my neck
I've gone too far to back out now, I'm in too deep.
Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way
I'm committed to seeing this through to the end, no matter the cost.
Reached the point where there ain't no way back - all the way!
I'm fully committed to seeing this through to the end, even if it means not being able to turn back.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAAN VANDENBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rockrabbitt
I should have believed what they said, now it's too late to go back
This didn't turn out like I planned, seems I gotta go on 'til the end
Now two cops are killed by my gun, oh-oh-oh, this place is hot, gotta run
A price on my head, my picture's all over the place
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
Chorus:
Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way
Reached the point where there ain't no way back
Goin' all the way, gotta go all the way, I'm in this right up to my neck
This just isn't my kind of life, no no, but in movies it always seems so fine
There crooks always pull hot women
But all I have pulled, all I have pulled is the trigger, oh-oh
A price on my head, my picture's all over the place
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
(chorus)
It ain't my turn yet so I'll win this race
Reached the point where there ain't no way back
Goin' all the way, gotta go all the way, I'm in this right up to my neck
Goin' all the way, I'm goin' all the way
Reached the point where there ain't no way back - all the way!
@zoranpavlovic9540
Incredible song construction and layers. Everything fitted so great. No shred bullshit, just great guitar playing. Amazing how all 3 albums didn't reach huge success.
@SaxonChronicles
First time I listened to this in probably 25 years. Solo gave me chills.
@SuperBenblake
Vandenberg are brilliant! Adrian is one tasty guitar player, amazing artist, and great writer. This song is the definition of bad ass! I love his lyrics and Bert Heerink is a really powerful vocalist. I think Vandenberg are not just one of the best 80s bands, but one of the best bands ever formed.
@TheChupymetal
since my youth that i did´t listen this song. Bring me good memories. Thanks for posting
@rajaseelan6934
Vanderberg at its best. Simply a superb Album from start to finish..one of the most complete album of its time. Wonderful song and scintillating guitar works.
@quilmesdave
+raja seelan Agree!! Today I listened to it, after 20 years!! So much emotion
@Robylazarus
raja seelan, agreed with you. Burt Heenrik's dynamic vocals coupled with Adrian's Guitar work, sublimal.
@malenabetanzos344
Es el mejor album de la banda
@xombieops
I forgot that i had this cassette when I was 15 until i saw the thumb nail for it after listening to other old 80's music. I listened to the shit out of this music and never understood a god damned thing until now. This is awesome.
@Mr.77776
One of the best power ballads "How Long" is on this album. Great tune!👍