Smit was discovered by Dutch middle of the road band BZN, who used his vocals in a duet called Mama. He has released several albums in Dutch and German since.
Jan dedicated the song Ik zing dit lied voor jou alleen (means: I Sing this song just for you) to his grandmother. In 1997, Smit toured South Africa with popular Afrikaans singer Nádine. In 2000, Smit won the Grand Prix der Volksmusik singing Ich zeig dir die Berge with Oswald Sattler for South Tyrol. In 2001 Smit won the Exportprijs for his success in Germany, France and Italy. In Germany he became one of the best selling Dutch artists ever, with German-language albums specifically aimed at the German market.
After three big hits in the late 90's, Jan's popularity began to wane gradually. His albums Jan Smit 2000 #32 (2000), Zing en Lach (Sing and Laugh) #33 (2001), Zonder Jou (Without You) #40 and Op Eigen Benen (On My Own Feet) #45 sold fewer copies than his first two albums from his child star era.
However, Jan was still very popular in Germany, where he spent most of his time touring. 2005 marked his comeback in his home country, when regional television host Willie Oosterhuis picked up a Jan Smit song recorded in 2003, 'Als de nacht verdwijnt' ('When the night is over'). Willie heavily plugged the song on his show, resulting in a medium sized hit.
During the same period Dutch broadcaster TROS wanted to produce a real life soap about Jan, with the focus on his life as a teenage star in Germany and The Netherlands, and on his private life in the picturesque seaside village of Volendam. The reality soap became a TV hit and an accompanying album, 'Vrienden voor het leven' ('Homies for life') brought Jan back at the top of the charts for the first time in a few years. It was written for his cousin Niek Smit(s), who lives in Maastricht.
In 2006 Smit had several big selling hit singles, such as 'Laura' (about a friend who died of cancer), 'Als de morgen is gekomen' ('When the morning has come') and 'Cupido' (Cupid). Jan usually includes special tracks on his CD singles, such as live recordings, previously unreleased tracks and CD-ROM-content, which makes his singles more interesting for his hardcore fanbase. In 2007 he topped the single charts again with "Op Weg Naar Geluk" (On The Road To Happiness) and with "Dan Volg Je Haar Benen" ('And then you check out her legs'), and the album charts also with the album "Op Weg Naar Geluk" (the album sold 160.000 copies in its first four days after being released, more than double platinum).
In 2006 he also recorded "Kerst voor Iedereen" (Christmas for Everyone) which was a Christmas-duet with Dutch tv-host Bridget Maasland as a part of Dutch tv-show Katja vs Bridget. He later on recorded this song with his younger sister Monique Smit, who recently also started a singing career
In 2007 he planned to tour the Netherlands again with the "Jan Smit Komt Naar Je Toe"-tour (Jan Smit Comes To You) but due to problems with his vocal cords this tour had to be postponed. For at least 6 months Jan Smit has to rest his voice.
'Dan volg je haar benen' was Jan's fifth Number One single in The Netherlands, making him one of the most successful soloists in Dutch chart history. Only George Michael and Dutch singer Marco Borsato had more Number Ones.
Kom dichterbij me
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kom dichterbij
Kom dichterbij me
Geef alles wat je hebt en wees de mijne
Gooi alles van je af en we verdwijnen
Oh jij en ik voor altijd bij elkaar
Dichter bij mij
Kom dichterbij
Kom is, kom is, kom is dichterbij
We gaan er vandoor
Kom dichterbij
En als ik alleen met je ben wil ik dat we verdwijnen
We gaan er vandoor
The lyrics of Jan Smit's song "Kom Dichterbij Me" speak of the desire to be closer to someone, to have them give everything they have and be fully committed to the relationship. The repeated phrase "kom dichterbij" (come closer) acts as a motif, emphasizing the need for intimacy and connection. The verses suggest a desire to escape from the world and be alone with the loved one, symbolized by the line "we gaan er vandoor" (we're going away). The chorus reinforces this idea with the imagery of throwing everything away and disappearing together.
The song plays with the idea of distance and proximity, balancing the desire for closeness with the fear of losing oneself in the relationship. The repetition of the phrase "dichter bij mij" (closer to me) highlights the tension between the two, suggesting that while the singer wants the loved one to come closer, they are also aware of the potential danger in losing oneself. The song ultimately ends on a hopeful note, with the idea of disappearing together suggesting that the singer is willing to take that risk for love.
Line by Line Meaning
Kom dichterbij me
Approach me physically and emotionally
Kom dichterbij
Come closer to me in proximity and intimacy
Geef alles wat je hebt en wees de mijne
Give me your all and be mine in every sense
Gooi alles van je af en we verdwijnen
Let go of everything and disappear with me
Oh jij en ik voor altijd bij elkaar
Oh you and I, forever together
Dichter bij mij
Closer to me
Kom is, kom is, kom is dichterbij
Come, come, come closer
We gaan er vandoor
We're leaving
En als ik alleen met je ben wil ik dat we verdwijnen
And when I'm alone with you, I want us to disappear
We gaan er vandoor
We're leaving
Writer(s): Jerzy Rocha Livramento, Javiensley Dams, Jan Smit, Emerson Akachar, Milangchelo J. Martina, Melvin Silberie
Contributed by Charlotte V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.