Anouk has released twelve studio albums to date, the most recent one being Wen d'r maar aan, released on 12 October 2018. She represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden, with the song "Birds". Her song made it to the final – the first since 2004 for the Netherlands; and finished 9th with 114 points.
Musical style
Anouk's musical style has been described as a combination of Joan Osborne, Melissa Etheridge and Alanis Morissette. She is known for explosive rock songs like "Nobody's Wife" and "R U Kiddin' Me", but has also made small and fragile songs like "Lost" and "Michel". In addition to her pop/rock sound she also experiments with soul, funk and hip hop.
Personal life
Anouk was married to her manager Edwin Jansen until 1998. She married Remon Stotijn (aka The Anonymous Mis), frontman of the reggae/rap band Postmen, on 16 March 2004. Stotijn is the father of three of her children; son Benjahmin Kingsley (b. 18 April 2002), son Elijah Jeramiah (b. 5 December 2003) and daughter Phoenix Ray (b. 3 June 2005). In May 2008, Anouk and Remon announced a "harmonious" mutual separation. In 2010 Anouk gave birth to her fourth child, a son named Jesiah Dox. Her son Sion Jethro was born in June 2014. In June 2016, she gave birth to her sixth child, a baby girl, Jelizah Rose, with her current partner, mixed martial artist and former basketball player Dominique Schemmekes.
Are You Lonely
Anouk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you come around, is that guilt still growing?
As you slowly fade away
You were standing tall, but that's the past
As many other things they do not last
Though I had to step away
Ever since you walked away
It's so clear
Cause when you're in a shower all alone
That's when you fall down
Not able to stand up again
At night as you turn down the sheets
That's when you feel your mind
When it's trying to go back in time
You don’t even know how it all started
Still begging for my love, now we have parted
Though I had to step away
I'm wondering are you lonely
Ever since you walked away
It's so clear
Cause when you're in a shower all alone
That's when you fall down
Not able to stand up again
At night as you're turning down the sheets
That's when you feel your mind
When it's trying to go back in time
At its core, "Are You Lonely" is a song about the aftermath of a relationship ending. Anouk sings from the perspective of someone who has walked away from the relationship but still wonders if their ex-partner is struggling with loneliness and regret. The first verse sets the scene: the singer is walking through the rain, thinking about the person they left behind. They wonder if that person is still feeling guilty about something that happened between them. The chorus repeats the question "Are you lonely?" as the singer tries to parse their own emotions and those of their ex-partner.
The second verse gives more detail about the singer's thoughts and feelings. They recall how their ex used to be "standing tall" but now seems to have fallen apart. The line "as many other things they do not last" speaks to the impermanence of relationships, and suggests that the singer may have moved on to someone new. However, the chorus shows that they still have a soft spot for their ex, and worry that they might be struggling. The final verse highlights the singer's ambivalent feelings - they feel like their ex is still begging for their love, but they also acknowledge that they made the choice to leave.
Overall, "Are You Lonely" is a melancholy reflection on the complicated emotions that can arise after a relationship ends. Anouk's emotionally charged vocals elevate the song, making it a haunting and affecting listen.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking through September rains unknowing
Walking aimlessly through a rainy season without a clear sense of direction or purpose
How you come around, is that guilt still growing?
Wondering if the person's reappearance is a sign of remorse for their past actions
As you slowly fade away
The person's presence and impact is diminishing over time
You were standing tall, but that's the past
The person used to be confident and strong, but that is no longer the case
As many other things they do not last
Like many other things, the person's influence and impact has a temporary nature
Though I had to step away
The decision to distance oneself from the person was necessary
I'm wondering are you lonely
Questioning whether the person is feeling isolated and empty without companionship
Ever since you walked away
Since the person left, the situation has been clear and uncomplicated
Cause when you're in a shower all alone
Aloneness becomes apparent when one is vulnerable and undistracted
That's when you fall down
The reality of the person's situation hits them hard and causes an emotional, mental, or physical breakdown
Not able to stand up again
The person is struggling to recover and regain their balance
At night as you turn down the sheets
In the evening when the person is getting ready for bed
That's when you feel your mind
The emotions and thoughts occur more intensely and vividly when there is nothing else to distract the person
When it's trying to go back in time
The mind is recalling the memories and the missed opportunities of the past
You don’t even know how it all started
The person is confused and uncertain about how the situation came to be
Still begging for my love, now we have parted
Despite the separation, the person still longs for affection and attention from the other
Contributed by Elena W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.