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.
This Is War
Vandenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playing your game that was so very easy to do
I was believing you, easy to play with the fool
You made your plans like a pro, yeah you played it so cool
Time after time after time, you hurt this boy deep down inside
Time after time after time, but this time I'll get what is mine
Chorus:
This is war - ain't gonna take all this shit anymore
Sometimes two people can bring out the best in each other
But lately I feel that my evil side's beating the other
Somehow I feel that the worst in me is gonna show
I ain't gonna hold it back, I'm going to let it go
Time after time after time, you hurt this boy deep down inside
Time after time after time, but this time I'll get what is mine
This is war - ain't gonna take all this shit anymore
This is war - I'm gonna strike back this time
(Solo)
(chorus)
This is war! This is war! This is war!
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The lyrics to Vandenberg's song "This Is War" describe a situation where the singer has been deceived by someone whom they believed was always telling the truth. The other person played their game well, and it was easy to fall for their lies. The singer admits to being foolish and gullible in believing in the other person's plans. However, now they've had enough, and this time they'll fight back. The chorus is a declaration of war against the other person, and the singer won't take any more mistreatment lying down.
The bridge of the song explores the internal struggle that the singer is going through. They acknowledge that they're not perfect and that the other person brought out the worst in them. The singer fears that their dark side will come to the fore, but they're determined to let it out and fight back. The lyrics are about standing up for oneself and not being a victim anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
You were the one that was always just telling the truth
You presented yourself as someone who was always honest and trustworthy.
Playing your game that was so very easy to do
You manipulated situations to benefit yourself, and it was effortless for you to do so.
I was believing you, easy to play with the fool
I was gullible and fell for your lies, making it simple for you to deceive me.
You made your plans like a pro, yeah you played it so cool
You were skilled at scheming and executed your plans with ease while appearing calm and collected.
Time after time after time, you hurt this boy deep down inside
Repetitively, you caused me emotional pain, causing long-lasting damage.
Time after time after time, but this time I'll get what is mine
Despite the many times you hurt me, this time I'll get the revenge I deserve.
This is war - ain't gonna take all this shit anymore
I refuse to tolerate your mistreatment any longer, and I'm prepared to fight back.
This is war - I'm gonna strike back this time, that's for sure
I'm determined to retaliate against you, and I won't back down.
Sometimes two people can bring out the best in each other
In certain relationships, both individuals can inspire each other to be their best selves.
But lately I feel that my evil side's beating the other
Recently, I've been giving in to my negative impulses more than my positive ones.
Somehow I feel that the worst in me is gonna show
I suspect that my dark side will manifest itself more prominently in the upcoming events.
I ain't gonna hold it back, I'm going to let it go
I won't restrain my emotions any longer and will express them freely.
This is war! This is war! This is war!
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the declaration of war that the singer is making against their adversary.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADRIAAN VANDENBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind