Herman Brood & His Wild Romance — Never Be Clever
In 1980, Herman Brood and his band The Wild Romance released the song “Never Be Clever” outta. It quickly became one of his biggest hits, a track that perfectly summarizes his unique personality and musical style. Brood, the legendary Dutch rock and roll hero, was never interested in conformity — and that's reflected in every chord in this raw, energetic song.
🎸 Musical style
“Never Be Clever” is pure rock and roll, with a heavy beat, a funky bassline and horns that give the track an irresistible groove. It's uptempo, brutal, and incredibly catchy. The production is raw and honest, just the way Brood wanted it: no fuss, just straightforward music coming in.
📝 Text and theme
The lyrics of the song are an ode to the misfit, to the troublemaker, to those who prefer to live with their heart rather than with their head. The rules “I'd rather be a failure than a success at nothing at all” perfectly summarize Brood's philosophy. It's rebellious, ironic and, at the same time, surprisingly honest. “Never Be Clever” is not a call to genius, but to authenticity. And that is exactly what Herman Brood always embodied.
⭐️ Impact and hit status
The song became a big hit in the Netherlands. “Never Be Clever” reached the 3rd place in the Dutch Top 40 and grew into one of Brood's most recognizable songs. The song was also played frequently on the radio at the time and has remained a classic on rock channels and nostalgic charts ever since.
