2 Unlimited was a Hi-NRG / eurodance group from Amsterdam, Netherlands form… Read Full Bio ↴2 Unlimited was a Hi-NRG / eurodance group from Amsterdam, Netherlands formed in 1991. The project was the brainchild of the Belgian production duo Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde, who wrote and recorded the backing tracks. Their songs' vocals were performed by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and singer Anita Doth, who also wrote the lyrics. The two original members now record as Ray & Anita.

Their first hit, Get Ready for This, was released in 1991 and took the European charts by storm, first as an instrumental version, then as a rap version. They are best remembered for No Limit, which was a world-wide number one hit in 1993, reaching number one in 35 countries. The group amassed a total of twelve Top 20 hits in the United Kingdom, and took two of their albums to number one as well.

Shortly after releasing a greatest hits album, they split up in 1996 due to conflicts over 2 Unlimited's future: Ray Slijngaard wanted to move more towards rap, whereas Anita Doth wanted the group to become an R&B-inspired group.

Anita initially started working for Dutch radio station Radio 538, later releasing a solo album called "Reality". Ray also tried to launch a solo career, which turned out to be commercially unsuccessful. The duo are thought not to have spoken to each other for ten years.

De Coster and Wilde brought in two new singers, Romy van Ooijen (b. 18th November 1971) and Marjon van Iwaarden (b. 18th June 1974) in 1998, but ultimately this new project was relatively unsuccessful, with single "Wanna Get Up" only managing to reach number 38 in the UK. After just one album, the new duo also parted in 1999.

More recently, remixes of "No Limit" and "Tribal Dance" were moderate hits in Germany and in 2004 a DVD featuring all their videos was released through ZYX Records. Anita still tours nightclubs around Europe, performing her old band's greatest hits and is also part of the group Divas Of Dance. A petition on the Internet for Anita to re-form 2 Unlimited has so far been unsuccessful.

Ray and Anita continue to perform their old hits separately in nightclubs and university student union clubs around the world. They both plan to release new solo material in 2009.

It was announced in the summer of 2008 by both Ray and Anita that they would reunite. On April 11th 2009 they will headline as 2 Unlimited at 'I love the 90's - The party' in Belgium.

In late 2009, 2 Unlimited reformed as Ray & Anita because their original producer own the rights to the 2 Unlimited name. On January 22, 2010, their first song recorded together in over a decade, titled "In Da Name Of Love" was released.

The Magic Friend
2 Unlimited Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

1-2-3-4!

Don't just stand there, let's get loose. I am Ray, I've got the juice.

Straight to your heart and back again, I

Tell you I am just your friend. Nice and slow, that's how we'll go. My

love

to you, I'll let it flow. You want

Me? Come on think again, because the magic friend, that's what I am!

'Course the magic friend is what I am!

The magic friend is what he is!

'Course the magic friend is what I am!

The magic friend is what he is!

Yo yo yo yo taste that music. Real loose, you've got to use it. Don't

be

afraid for magic friends, 'cause that

Magic friend is what I am!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

'Course the magic friend is what I am!

Don't just stand there, let's get loose. I am Ray, I've got the juice.

Straight to your heart, and back again, I

Tell you I am just your friend. Nice and slow, that's how we'll go. My

love

to you, I'll let it flow. You want

Me? Come on think again, 'cause the magic friend is what I am!

'Course the magic friend is what I am!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

The magic friend is what he is!

Don't be afraid, he's just the magic friend!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 2 Unlimited's "The Magic Friend" exude a playful and carefree energy, encouraging the listener to let loose and dance to the beat. The song begins with a command to move, followed by a greeting from Ray, who claims to have "the juice" - perhaps referring to his charisma or dance prowess. Ray promises to take the listener on a journey to the heart and back, insisting that he is only a friend, but offering his love nonetheless. He challenges the listener, asking if they want him, only to reveal that he is, in fact, the magic friend.

The repetition of the phrase, "The magic friend is what he is," solidifies Ray's identity as a mystical and irresistible presence. The chorus features a call-and-response between Ray and the backing vocalists, as if they are all teasing and encouraging each other to let go and have fun. The final bars of the song reinforce the idea that the magic friend is nothing to fear - he's simply there to help you dance and enjoy life.

Line by Line Meaning

1-2-3-4!
Let's start dancing and enjoying ourselves!

Don't just stand there, let's get loose. I am Ray, I've got the juice.
Let's not be shy, let's dance freely. I'm Ray and I'm full of energy.

Straight to your heart and back again, I tell you I am just your friend.
My music goes straight to your heart and then back out again. Don't worry, I'm just a friend.

Nice and slow, that's how we'll go. My love to you, I'll let it flow.
We'll dance at a comfortable pace. I'll share my affection with you through my music.

You want Me? Come on think again, because the magic friend, that's what I am!
If you think I'm interested in anything more than friendship, you're mistaken. I'm just a magical friend.

'Course the magic friend is what I am!
Of course I'm just a magical friend.

The magic friend is what he is!
I'm not the only one who is a magical friend.

Yo yo yo yo taste that music. Real loose, you've got to use it.
Listen to this music and let yourself go. Dance freely and enjoy life.

Don't be afraid for magic friends, 'cause that magic friend is what I am!
Don't worry about having a magical friend, that's what I am and it's nothing to fear.

The magic friend is what he is!
There are others who are also magical friends.

The magic friend is what he is!
Being a magical friend is part of who he is.

'Course the magic friend is what I am!
I'm still just a magical friend.

Don't be afraid, he's just the magic friend!
Don't fear the idea of having a magical friend, it's nothing scary or dangerous.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: PETER AUGUSTA LUDOVICUS NEEFS, RAYMOND SLIJNGAARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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