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.
Once In A Lifetime
Vandenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We both were too young to know, we shouldn't let it go
We went our own ways, and time passed us by
Now when I think of those schooldays, I realize
Chorus:
Once in a lifetime (once in a lifetime), one in a million (one in a million)
Our love was that special kind that's so hard to find, but we didn't realize
Yesterday in and out another town, suddenly saw your face
Right out there in the crowd
You said you were happy, you got someone who treats you right
And I recognize that fire in your eyes, oh girl you should be mine, 'cause
(chorus)
Once in a lifetime (once in a lifetime), one in a million (one in a million)
I've had my share of love, oh I know how to play the game
But there [a feeling gained], I've never been the same
No never been the same, never been the same
Once in a lifetime, one in a million
I know I'm just chasing dreams and I just can't seem to get you off my mind
Once in a lifetime, one in a million... (repeats out)
The song "Once in a Lifetime" by Vandenberg is a nostalgic ballad about a lost love. The first verse reflects on the past when two people in love, who thought they needed freedom, went their separate ways. It is a reflection of how at times, youth isn't equipped to handle the realities of being in love. They both thought they needed space, but a lifetime of regret followed them. The chorus emphasizes how true love only comes by once in a lifetime, one in a million, and their knowledge that the relationship they shared was special, but they failed to realize it at the time.
The second verse of the song is about a chance encounter that reignites the desire for their lost love. The singer sees his former flame in a crowd and feels the same emotions from that past life. The girl he once loved tells him that she has found true love with someone else. The singer, however, believes that they were each other's one in a million and that the fire he saw in her eyes was for him, stating that she should be his.
The song's lyrics appear to be inspired by nostalgia and memories of a love that they left behind. The tune's universal and timeless nature makes it relatable and emotional for any individual who has experienced lost love in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
You needed your freedom, I thought that I needed mine
We were both too young to understand the true value of love and relationships. We thought that we needed our own space and independence.
We both were too young to know, we shouldn't let it go
We did not realize that our love was something special and rare. We were ignorant to the fact that we should have held onto it instead of letting it go.
We went our own ways, and time passed us by
After separating, we entered different phases in our lives and lost touch with each other over time.
Now when I think of those schooldays, I realize
As I look back at our past, I come to a realization about how I should have handled our relationship and what I could have done differently.
Once in a lifetime (once in a lifetime), one in a million (one in a million)
Our love was that special kind that's so hard to find, but we didn't realize
Our love was rare and something that happens only once in a lifetime, and we had that unique connection. Sadly, we did not realize it back then.
Yesterday in and out another town, suddenly saw your face
Right out there in the crowd
You said you were happy, you got someone who treats you right
By chance, we met again in a different place, and I found out that you have found someone who treats you well and makes you happy, and I am glad to hear that even if it's hard for me.
And I recognize that fire in your eyes, oh girl you should be mine, 'cause
I can see the passion and connection that we used to have in your eyes, and it makes me wish that I still had the chance to be with you again.
I've had my share of love, oh I know how to play the game
But there [a feeling gained], I've never been the same
No never been the same, never been the same
Although I have experienced love before, nothing compares to the connection that we had, and my heart has always yearned for that same feeling again. I am still not the same person after losing you.
Once in a lifetime, one in a million
I know I'm just chasing dreams and I just can't seem to get you off my mind
I understand that the chance of me getting another chance with you is almost like a dream, but I can't seem to get you out of my head and wish that I had another opportunity to show you my true feelings.
Once in a lifetime, one in a million... (repeats out)
Our love was a once in a lifetime experience, and even though it was rare and unique, we didn't realize it was special until it was too late. The hope of ever finding something like that again seems impossible.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAAN VANDENBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind