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.
Too Late
Vandenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't know what's happenin'
You're losin' ground
Something's hit your heart
You are possessed
You are caught in the light
It kicks your ass
Feel like you're hypnotised
Sometimes you feel
Life just can't be the same
Nothing except hard rocks in your soul
Now let it roll
Bang your head against the wall
Play it so loud
Your neighbours leave their house
It's too late to stop the train
Things will never be the same
It's too late to stop the train
Things will never be the same
Feel bass drums kick
Guitars fight, sing and scream
Bass keeps on pumping
Thunder's in the air
Once you may feel
And you know that it's real
Hang on tonight
Never let you down
It's too late to stop the train
Things will never be the same
It's too late to stop the train
Things will never be the same
Alright, come on
It's too late to stop the train
It's too late to stop the train
It's too late to stop the train
We gotta roll out
It's too late to stop the train
I gotta tell you now
It's too late to stop the train
Oh yeah
It's to late too stop the train
The song 'Too Late' by Vandenberg begins with a description of the feeling of being caught up in something without fully understanding what's happening. The lyrics talk about how the individual is losing ground and have been hit by something that has taken possession of their heart, causing them to feel like they are hypnotized. The situation is compared to hard rocks in their soul, which suggest a heavy and oppressive feeling.
The chorus repeats the line "It's too late to stop the train, things will never be the same" emphasizing that there is no going back from this point. The train symbolizes a force that is carrying them along, and they have lost control. The lyrics describe the intensity of the music, with guitars fighting, singing and screaming, bass pumping, and the drums kicking. The thunder in the air creates an intense atmosphere that adds to the feeling of being out of control.
The song encourages the listener to let go of their inhibitions and rock out, even if it means playing music so loud that the neighbors leave their homes. The lyrics make it evident that once they start, they won't be able to stop, and they have to hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
Overall, the song 'Too Late' is about losing control and allowing yourself to be taken over by something without resistance. The metaphorical train symbolizes the power and momentum that the person finds themselves caught up in without the ability to stop.
Line by Line Meaning
First at the start
The beginning of the experience
You don't know what's happenin'
Being ignorant of what's happening around you
You're losin' ground
Losing control over the situation
Something's hit your heart
An emotional reaction
You are possessed
Being overtaken by something deemed irresistible
You are caught in the light
Being drawn towards something you deem mesmerizing
It kicks your ass
An overpowering experience
Feel like you're hypnotised
Feeling like you are entranced and cannot break free
Sometimes you feel
Occasionally you sense
Life just can't be the same
Your life seems irrevocably changed
Nothing except hard rocks in your soul
Your spirit feels weighed down by difficulty
Now let it roll
It's time to let loose
Bang your head against the wall
Release your pent up energy
Play it so loud
Turn the volume up high
Your neighbours leave their house
Your neighbors are disturbed by the noise level
It's too late to stop the train
The momentum of the experience cannot be halted
Things will never be the same
The experience will have a lasting impact
Feel bass drums kick
Feeling the energy of the music
Guitars fight, sing and scream
The music is engaging and raw
Bass keeps on pumping
The bass gives a steady underlying rhythm
Thunder's in the air
A sense of excitement and power
Once you may feel
You may experience
And you know that it's real
The sense of reality is palpable
Hang on tonight
Prepare yourself for this experience
Never let you down
The experience will not disappoint
We gotta roll out
It's time to take action and move forward
I gotta tell you now
There's something that needs to be shared
Oh yeah
An expression of excitement and affirmation
It's to late too stop the train
The experience cannot be halted
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.