Locally, he made an impression with the band Be Right Back in which he sang and played guitar. He left the band in the spring of 2009. Knol first gained popularity in the year prior to his official début, as the support-act of indie band Johan, who also emerged from the town of Hoorn and are on the same record label as Knol, the prestigious Excelsior Recordings.
Knol recorded his eponymous début album with the help of label mate Anne Soldaat, who also plays guitar in Knol's live band. It was released in January 2010, to overwhelming critical acclaim.
Excelsior Recordings re-released the album as a 2CD set in November 2010. The second disc, entitled Music In My Room contains nine acoustic versions of songs from the début album. Knol's second studio album, Days came out in May 2011, yet again to rave reviews from the Dutch music press.
Knol's third and fourth full-length studio records, Soldier On (release: November 2013) and Cut The Wire (January 2018), mark a shift towards indie guitar pop with more of a 'band sound'.
Knol also recorded a punk-inspired album with his band The Miseries and a bluegrass album with Blue Grass Boogiemen (see Tim Knol & Blue Grass Boogiemen).
Sam
Tim Knol Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holes in his shoes
Holes in his brain
Holes in his pocket where the money goes through
What an excuse to leave a one way ticket too
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
He lost control
He tried to live his own rock and roll
But after many years he lost his self control
Every band rehearsed a tune out into a big fight
Now be smart Sam, turn on your light
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
He lost control
He's got friends, can you call them friends?
He's got a home, can you call it a home?
No real love only one night stands
Is that what you call rock and roll?
Oh rock and roll!
Oh no
So now Sam's leaving on a midnight train
Druggy coke do they bring him again (! )
Boards the train to nowhere land
A final stop and stop at the end
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town*
The song "Sam" by Tim Knol tells the story of a man named Sam who leaves town on a midnight train with holes in his shoes, brain and pockets where the money goes through. He is leaving with an excuse of a one way ticket. Sam has been trying to live his own rock and roll but after many years, he lost his self-control. Every band rehearsal turns out into a big fight. Sam has friends but they are not real friends, and a home that cannot be called home. He has no real love only one night stands which questions whether rock and roll is all about it.
The song portrays the young and restless nature of Sam and his journey to find what he truly wants. It highlights the struggles of living life on the edge and how it could take a toll on a person. Sam's leaving town is symbolic of his need to escape his life and find new beginnings. The raw and poignant lyrics of the song lend a melancholic air to it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sam's leaving on a midnight train
Sam is leaving during the late hours of the night, departing via train
Holes in his shoes
Sam's shoes are in poor condition and have holes in them
Holes in his brain
Sam's mental state is deteriorating and potentially affecting his decision making
Holes in his pocket where the money goes through
Sam's financial situation is poor and money is flowing out of his pockets, leaving holes
What an excuse to leave a one way ticket too
Sam's financial struggles are a valid reason for him to leave town on a one-way ticket
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
The chorus reiterates that Sam is departing from his current location
He lost control
Sam has lost control of his life and situation
He tried to live his own rock and roll
Sam attempted to live a life reminiscent of rock and roll culture
But after many years he lost his self control
Over time, Sam's lifestyle has caught up to him, impacting his ability to manage his actions and decisions
Every band rehearsed a tune out into a big fight
Sam's involvement in the music scene led to disputes and conflicts among band members during rehearsals
Now be smart Sam, turn on your light
The singer advises Sam to make wise decisions and get back on track
He's got friends, can you call them friends?
Sam may have people he associates with, but the artist questions whether they are truly his friends
He's got a home, can you call it a home?
Sam's living situation may not necessarily be a proper home
No real love only one night stands
Sam's relationships are generally short-lived and lack depth
Is that what you call rock and roll?
The singer questions whether Sam's behavior is appropriate or indicative of true rock and roll culture
Oh rock and roll!
An exclamation regarding the rock and roll lifestyle
So now Sam's leaving on a midnight train
Sam's departure is imminent and he is still leaving under the cloak of night
Druggy coke do they bring him again (! )
The singer alludes to Sam's drug use, which may be contributing to his current situation
Boards the train to nowhere land
Sam is getting on the train and going somewhere unknown
A final stop and stop at the end
Sam's journey may ultimately be his final stop and the end of his current lifestyle
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing Sam's departure.
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing Sam's departure.
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing Sam's departure.
Sam's leaving town, Sam's leaving town
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing Sam's departure.
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.