Thomas Ac… Read Full Bio ↴Acda en De Munnik is a successful band in The Netherlands.
Thomas Acda and Paul de Munnik met at the Amsterdam Academy of Cabaret, where they decided to work together to make a theatre show. They arranged their first show after Thomas convinced a producer of their talents. The producer initially didn’t want to listen to any of their work, but Thomas was persistent. Eventually the producer asked Thomas about his strongest line of text. Thomas said, “Als je bij me weggaat, mag ik dan met je mee” (If you leave me, can I come with you), which convinced the producer.
[edit: he convinced Huub van der Lubbe (front man of De Dijk) to give him lessons in lyric writing, as far as I know not his producer. They convinced their producer by playing at his office in stead of handing over a demo]
The audience of their first theatre shows appreciated the songs they wrote specially for the shows. These shows were released in 2002 on the 3-CD box “Trilogie”. The three shows are “Zwerf’on” (Wander On, 1996), “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans - John Lennon” and “It’s only cabaret but I like it”.
The theatre shows have comedy elements, but they contain serious stories as well.
Themes of Acda en De Munnik’s music and theatre work are love, broken-heartedness, enjoying life and fulfulling youth dreams.
In the summer of 1998, they had their breakthrough-hit with ‘Niet Of Nooit Geweest’. Several succesful albums followed, whilst still making shows and even a “Rock Opera”, ‘Ren Lenny Ren’ which was accompanied by the album ‘Liedjes van Lenny’.
On the 23th of November 2007 Acda en De Munnik released their new album “Nachtmuziek”. At the release of this album they stated they sought to go back to their musical “roots”: making music as they started back in 1998, without a big orchestra, mainly using drums, guitar, piano and vocals only. As for the beginning of 2008, it seems like Nachtmuziek can’t approach the great succes of the first four studio albums.
In 2014 they announced their split live on Dutch TV.
In later years, they worked together with some collaborations. In 2023 they released a new album and played 6 sold out reunion shows in the Ziggo Dome.
Ik hou van jou
Acda en de Munnik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ik hou van jou
Maar we zijn niet zo'n familie
Maak 'm nou!
Ik hou van jou
Ik hou van jou
Niet zo'n vader
Niet zo'n broer
Gehad wel zo'n broer gehad wel
Maar niet nou
Ik hou van jou
Ik hou van jou
Ik hou van jou
Ik hou van jou
Maar probeer het niet te zeggen
Ga nou gauw!
Ik hou van jou nou
Ik hou van jou
Ik zou het ook niet anders willen
Ik zou ook gillen
Als de ander 't zeggen zou
Ik hou van jou
Ik hou van jou
Maar misschien één keer
Misschien één keer
Schrik dan niet
Zeg ik het één keer, vaker niet
Maar ik wil nooit meer nooit meer
Nooit meer de kans meer
Nooit meer: wat ik zo graag zeggen wou
Ik zeg het nu
En hou je mond
Ik hou van jou
The first thing that stands out about "Ik hou van jou" is the title. In English, the title translates to "I love you," and this phrase is repeated throughout the entire song. However, the song is not a typical love song as it deals with the idea that the singer cannot express their feelings freely, perhaps due to a dysfunctional relationship with their family. The opening two lines emphasize this point: "I love you / I love you / But we are not such a family / Make it now!" The repetition of the phrase "Ik hou van jou" is both a declaration of love and a plea for understanding from the listener.
The song also touches on the fear of vulnerability and rejection in relationships. The line "But try not to say it, go now!" suggests that although the singer loves the person they are addressing, they are afraid of confessing their feelings outright. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer has reached a breaking point and must express their love even if it means facing rejection: "But maybe one time / Maybe one time / Don't be afraid / I'll say it one time, not more / But I never want to miss the chance again / Never again what I wanted to say so badly / I'm saying it now / And shut your mouth / I love you."
Overall, "Ik hou van jou" is a complex and nuanced exploration of love, family dynamics, vulnerability, and fear of rejection. It is a poignant reminder that sometimes saying "I love you" can be both the easiest and the most difficult thing to do.
Line by Line Meaning
Ik hou van jou
I love you
Ik hou van jou
I love you
Maar we zijn niet zo'n familie
But we are not really a family
Maak 'm nou!
Make it now!
Niet zo'n vader
Not such a great father
Niet zo'n moeder
Not such a great mother
Niet zo'n broer
Not such a great brother
Gehad wel zo'n broer gehad wel
I had such a brother, I did
Maar niet nou
But not anymore
Ik hou van jou
I love you
Ik hou van jou
I love you
Maar probeer het niet te zeggen
But don't try to say it
Ga nou gauw!
Now, go quickly!
Ik zou het ook niet anders willen
I wouldn't want it any other way
Ik zou ook gillen
I would also scream
Als de ander 't zeggen zou
If the other person would say it
Maar misschien één keer
But maybe just once
Schrik dan niet
Don't be scared
Zeg ik het één keer, vaker niet
I'll say it once, not more often
Maar ik wil nooit meer nooit meer
But I never want to, never want to
Nooit meer de kans meer
Never have the chance again
Nooit meer: wat ik zo graag zeggen wou
Never again what I wanted to say so badly
Ik zeg het nu
I say it now
En hou je mond
And keep your mouth shut
Ik hou van jou
I love you
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.