Top 10 Best Songs by Golden Earring

The greatest Dutch rock hit of all time. That bass line... that drum intro... everyone knows it. It's the ultimate 'driving song'. The song has an unstoppable groove. The horns in the chorus give it extra power. The middle section, where drums and bass take the lead, is legendary. This is not a song anymore, this is cultural heritage. Pure rock-'n'-roll perfection.

The dark brother of Twilight Zone. The song is ominous and propulsive. The synthesizers give it a modern gloss, but the rock foundation remains hardcore. Barry Hay sounds almost maniacal here. The drumming by Cesar Zuiderwijk is the engine that drives everything forward. A song full of suspense and threat.

An international world hit with an irresistible bass line. It's about espionage and paranoia, and the music breathes that mysterious atmosphere. The video was revolutionary, but the music does the work. The guitar solo by Kooymans is sharp and cutting. The chorus ("When the bullet hits the bone") is iconic. Tight, American production with Dutch flair.

A lump in the throat. Barry Hay wrote this for a deceased friend and biker gang member. The lyrics are a tribute to friendship and loyalty. Musically, it's a powerful powerballad. When the guitars swell, you feel the pain of loss, but also the pride in the memory. Honest, raw, and straight from the heart.

The ultimate travel song. Kooymans sings about the loneliness of the traveler who wants to get home. The tempo is driving, like a car on the highway. The lyrics are simple but effective. Everyone knows the feeling of those last kilometers that take the longest. A country-rock song with a Dutch soul.

The acoustic 'Naked Truth' version breathed new life into this song. Without the electric guitars, the essence remains: a beautiful song about missing someone. The acoustic guitars and group singing create an intimate atmosphere. The audience sings every word along. It proves the strength of their songwriting; even stripped down it stands on its own feet.

One of George Kooymans' most beautiful ballads. He wrote it from heartbreak, and you hear it. The melody is heartbreakingly beautiful. The production is rich, with strings underscoring the sadness. Kooymans' voice breaks from emotion. It shows that these hard rockers also had a very sensitive, romantic side.

Here you hear the influence of punk and new wave. The tempo is high and the atmosphere is rushed. Barry Hay sings almost rapping about exotic places. The oriental melody line gives the song a unique character. It's less heavy than their earlier work, but precisely because of that fierce energy and humor in the lyrics, it has remained a live favorite.

The groove of this song is dirty and tasty. The guitar riff is angular and sharp. It's about the hunt in nightlife. The group singing in the chorus is typical Earring: powerful and melodic. Live, this song was often stretched with solos, but the studio version is a tight pop-rock song that bursts with attitude.

An epic rock song that goes in all directions. It starts with a dreamy, psychedelic intro before exploding into a heavy, dragging riff. The title refers to a strong, independent woman. George Kooymans sings the verses, Barry Hay the chorus; that alternation works perfectly. It's a mini-opera of seven minutes full of dynamics and atmosphere.