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.
Different Worlds
Vandenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We just let our hearts beat, this was love
We lived from one day to another, the difference didn't bother us at all
Then the day came, you took me home to your place
I still can see them stare at my face, oh
[Chorus:]
We should not be apart, just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
I could feel love slipping through my hands
You started listening to their talking, suddenly one morning you were gone
We shouldn't have lost, though we're from different worlds
But you should let love show you the way, instead of them
(chorus repeats 2x)
(Solo)
(chorus repeats 2x)
The lyrics of Vandenberg's song "Different Worlds" narrate a love story that suffered the consequences of social differences. In the beginning, the couple was happy, and they did not care about their differences at all. They just followed their hearts and enjoyed living day by day. However, when the singer was taken to his lover's home, he could feel the judgmental eyes of the people there, indicating that their love was not socially acceptable.
As the story progresses, the couple's love started fading away as the girl started listening to people who thought they were not right for each other. Eventually, she left, and the singer realizes that their different worlds became the reason for their separation. The song portrays the idea that love should not be limited to the social differences.
Overall, the song tells a beautiful yet heart-breaking story of love that could not survive the societal differences. The singer hopes that people would listen to their hearts instead of the judgmental people around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Things weren't so natural in the beginning
Our relationship did not begin effortlessly or easily
We just let our hearts beat, this was love
Our love was founded entirely on feeling and emotion rather than practicality or logic
We lived from one day to another, the difference didn't bother us at all
We were unconcerned with the contrasting natures of our lives, and lived in the moment
Then the day came, you took me home to your place
At some point, you showed me where you lived
I still can see them stare at my face, oh
I can still recall the disapproving looks we received when we were together
We should not be apart, just listen to your heart
We should not be separated; you should trust your instincts and emotions
Different worlds keep us apart
Our vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles are the primary barrier to our relationship
Then, from that day on, things were changing
From the day when you took me home, things began to shift
I could feel love slipping through my hands
I sensed that our love was becoming less certain or secure
You started listening to their talking, suddenly one morning you were gone
You began to heed the opinions of others, and without warning ended our relationship
We shouldn't have lost, though we're from different worlds
Our separation was unnecessary and unjustified, despite our differences
But you should let love show you the way, instead of them
You should prioritize your love for me, rather than being swayed by the opinions of others
Solo
Instrumental section of the song
(chorus repeats 2x)
The chorus is repeated twice more
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAAN VANDENBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockrabbitt
Things went so natural in the beginning
We just let our hearts speak, this was love
We lived from one day to another
The difference didn't bother us at all
Then the day came
You took me home, to your place
I still can see them
Stare at my face, oh
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
Then, from that day on, things were changing
I could feel love slipping through my hands
You started listening to their talking
Suddenly one morning you were gone
We shouldn't have lost
Though we're from different worlds
But you should let love show you the way
Instead of them
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
NickCobra
Timeless, haunting, amazing power ballad from and incredible underrated band. Vandenberg should have been huge! Love them!
Rob C
Not "under rated" but Under recognized. Phenomenal band from the big 80's!
Nirandorn Minrintara
Awesome band ftom Netherland, love Adrian Vandenberg's guitar sound and he is one of my guitarists that never forget 4ever.
Walter Niz
Una de las mejores baladas que escuché en mi vida excelente en todo aspecto!!!🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻
cmd1958
Love Vandenberg ! This band should have been huge in the U.S. Solo still sends chills down my back after 30+ years !
Racine Evans
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! Another great example of how a power ballad is done!! Love the whole "Heading for a Storm" album:)
Glenn Que
This is one of my favorite songs, not just by Vandenberg, but ever. Very meaningful and heartfelt.
Black Crow Busker
I just love Adrians ascends! the start of the electric solo is soo damn fluent :) Nothing Beats Friday night though :)
rockrabbitt
Things went so natural in the beginning
We just let our hearts speak, this was love
We lived from one day to another
The difference didn't bother us at all
Then the day came
You took me home, to your place
I still can see them
Stare at my face, oh
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
Then, from that day on, things were changing
I could feel love slipping through my hands
You started listening to their talking
Suddenly one morning you were gone
We shouldn't have lost
Though we're from different worlds
But you should let love show you the way
Instead of them
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
We should not be apart
Just listen to your heart
Different worlds keep us apart
Kroeber38
What a beautiful song and guitar playing!