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.
Graduated Fool
Anouk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For every time failed you
You're so beautiful
I just turned and walked away
I jingle with words tangle my tongue
Stammering stutters
So I wrote you this song to finally tell
I love you
It was true devotion
Now these mixed emotions
Oh I did it again
I want you to forgive me
When the pain has faded we'll be laughing again
Believe in me
Graduated fool,I'm better than I am
For that is what you made me
Please hold back your tears
I didn't deserve you anyway
Believe in me
I still care for you
Believe me
Just believe in me
Believe me
When I kiss you face again
All these mixed emotions of pleasure and pain
I want you to forgive me
When the pain has faded
We'll be laughing again
Believe in me
You're so beautiful
Believe
Just believe in me
Believe me
In Anouk's song Graduated Fool, the singer is acknowledging that she has made mistakes in the past relating to a particular person. She describes herself as a "graduated fool," meaning she has learned from her past mistakes, but still feels like a fool for having made them in the first place. Throughout the song, she expresses regret and apologizes for how she treated this person. She admits to walking away from them and not being able to express her feelings properly because she "jingled" with words and tangled her tongue. She hopes that they will forgive her and that they will be able to laugh together once the pain has faded.
It seems as though this person was someone who was important to Anouk and that she had strong feelings for them. She refers to it as "true devotion" and admits that she still cares for them. She hopes that they believe in her and that they will be able to move past the pain together. The lyrics are emotive and raw, showing vulnerability and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Graduated fool, that is what I am
I admit my foolishness and inexperience in dealing with failed relationships
For every time failed you
I have let you down so many times
You're so beautiful
I acknowledge and admire your beauty
I just turned and walked away
I was too afraid and immature to confront the issue and face you
I jingle with words tangle my tongue
I struggle to express my feelings and often fail to communicate effectively
Stammering stutters
I have a hard time speaking fluently and articulately
So I wrote you this song to finally tell
I have resorted to music to express my true feelings for you
What you've known all along
You have always been aware of how I feel about you
I love you
My strong affection and devotion for you
It was true devotion
My love for you was genuine and sincere
Now these mixed emotions
My feelings are a confusing combination of love, regret, and hope
Oh I did it again
I have made the same mistake and hurt you again
I want you to forgive me
I am pleading for your forgiveness and understanding
When the pain has faded we'll be laughing again
I hope that time will heal our wounds and we can be happy together once more
Believe in me
I am asking for your trust and faith in me to make things right
Graduated fool, I'm better than I am
Despite my foolishness, I have grown and improved because of you
For that is what you made me
You have taught me valuable lessons and helped me become a better person
Please hold back your tears
I don't want to see you cry because of me anymore
I didn't deserve you anyway
I acknowledge that I didn't treat you well or appreciate you enough
I still care for you
My love and concern for you have not diminished
Just believe in me
I am urging you to have faith in me
When I kiss your face again
I long to be close to you and show you my love physically
All these mixed emotions of pleasure and pain
My feelings towards you are a complex blend of happiness and hurt
Believe
I am reiterating my plea for your trust and faith
Believe me
I am being sincere and honest with you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANOUK TEEUWE, BART VAN VEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind