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.
Rock On
Vandenberg Lyrics
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They say life is just a threat, they know what is good and bad
I know what I want, no one tells me what to do - alright!
They say life ain't just for fun, but my life has just begun
I'm not gonna waste it, I'll take my piece of the cake
Chorus:
I'm gonna rock on - gotta let yourself go, just let it blow
Rock on - gotta let yourself go, just let it blow
They say rock music's bad, well I'm not so sure 'bout that
'cause if it's so bad, how come I'm feeling so good?
(chorus)
Ain't gonna listen to them, I'm gonna have fun
It's my life that I'm living, I'm gonna rock on, I'm gonna rock on
Give it to them!
(Solo)
Rock on - gonna let yourself go, just let it blow
Rock on - gonna let yourself go, just let it blow
Rock on - I'm gonna rock on, rock on
Why don't you rock on, why don't you let, why don't you let
Why don't you let yourself go
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The lyrics of Vandenberg's song "Rock On" convey the musician's desire to live life on his own terms and not conform to societal norms. He declares that he knows what he wants and won't let anyone tell him what to do with his life. The message is clear: life should be lived to the fullest and enjoyed, rather than being just a threat.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of letting go and enjoying oneself through music, specifically rock music. Vandenberg questions the notion that rock music is bad and asserts that it actually makes him feel good. He seems to suggest that people should not be too quick to label things as 'bad' without experiencing them for themselves.
In the end, the song is a call to action to let go of inhibitions and live life to its fullest. It's a statement to do what makes you happy and to not let what others think interfere with that. The lyrics are simple, but they carry a message that can resonate with anyone who feels trapped by societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright!
The singer is excited and ready to rock.
They say life is just a threat, they know what is good and bad
People claim to know what's best for the singer even though life is unpredictable.
I know what I want, no one tells me what to do - alright!
The singer is independent and won't be bossed around.
They say life ain't just for fun, but my life has just begun
Others view life as serious, but the singer disagrees and is ready for adventure.
I'm not gonna waste it, I'll take my piece of the cake
The singer plans to enjoy life and experience as much as possible.
Chorus: I'm gonna rock on - gotta let yourself go, just let it blow
Rock on - gotta let yourself go, just let it blow
Let it blow, yeah
The chorus is a call to let go and have fun. To 'rock on' is to enjoy life and let inhibitions go.
They say rock music's bad, well I'm not so sure 'bout that
'cause if it's so bad, how come I'm feeling so good?
People criticize rock music, but the singer disagrees and enjoys it.
(chorus)
Repeat of the chorus.
Ain't gonna listen to them, I'm gonna have fun
It's my life that I'm living, I'm gonna rock on, I'm gonna rock on
Give it to them!
The singer won't let society dictate their life and plans to have a good time.
(Solo)
An instrumental section of the song.
Rock on - gonna let yourself go, just let it blow
Rock on - gonna let yourself go, just let it blow
Rock on - I'm gonna rock on, rock on
Repeat of the chorus.
Why don't you rock on, why don't you let, why don't you let
Why don't you let yourself go
The singer encourages listeners to join in and enjoy life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAAN VANDENBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind