Mr. Welfare is a formerly unidentified song by Raam, found on a cassette tape.
Background[]
On January 6th, 2019, "Diggin' Demos" uploaded a cassette they had to YouTube. The cassette contained two songs: Mr. Welfare and Be Worried.[1] The cassette also had two words written on it, "RAAM - Gouda." Raam is a street in Gouda, so it was assumed that the tape was recorded there. But it would later turn out that Raam was also the band that made the two songs.
On January 11th, "Diggin' Demos" talked about Mr. Welfare on "Going underground," a Dutch radio show hosted by Leo Hoek van Dijke. However, no listeners recognized the song.[2]
Identification[]
On February 26th, 2020, Leo Hoek van Dijke posted about the song on a Gouda music group on Facebook. Hours later, Marco Leeuwrik replied, writing,
"The band is 'Raam,' formerly known as 'The Urge.' Members: Jacob Mook (rhodes, guitar), Willem Oudijk (drums), Albert Jolink (bass guitar). Guest: Rinco Knoop (sax)."
Marco Leeuwrik knew this because he owns a 45-minute recording of a gig the band did.
It was also discovered that the bass part on the second song, "Be Worried", was in fact played by a then-16 year old Tony Overwater, making his debut performance on the record and would later become one of the Netherlands' most recognised jazz bassists.
After the song was identified, it was featured on the video "5 MORE Mysterious Songs That Were Eventually Identified" by C.W Schultz.
Lyrics[3][]
[Verse 1]
Life is changing, life is good
When you are in my neighborhood
Nothing we can lose, my dear
So you don't have to fear
You're my lover, you're my queen
You're my friend, try coke with [?]
We'd read from our happiness
Wrapped one on the pitch, I guess
[Chorus]
Hey Mr. Welfare
Will it always be like this
Living in a paradise
Take another coke with ice
Hey Mr. Welfare
Will it always be like this
Living in a paradise
Take another coke with ice
I want just to be with you
Living together like the others do
But where can we find a home for two
[Verse 2]
Hunger, a work day
It doesn't matter if you say
You're my love, you are hot stuff
Be careful, can't be sure
Life is easy, you're with me
I'm your boy, to always be
But we knew what travelling
I [?] know that crutch is king
[Chorus]
Hey Mr. Welfare
Will it always be like this
Living in a paradise
Take another coke with ice
Hey Mr. Welfare
Will it always be like this
Living in a paradise
Take another coke with ice
I want just to be with you
Living together like the others do
But where can we find a home for two
Living next to you
[Verse 3]
Look into the sun, the sky
Looking for a countryside
A paradise for you and me
That's the way it has to be
We have to struggle, we have to fight
'til our dreams are in sight
We'll start, we will arrive
I'm your man and you're my wife
[Chorus]
Hey Mr. Welfare
Will it always be like this
Living in a paradise
Take another coke with ice
Hey Mr. Welfare
Will it always be like this
Living in a paradise
Take another coke with ice
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare
[Coda]
Hey hey hey hey
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare
Hey Mr. Welfare, hey Mr. Welfare