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.
Hail
Anouk Lyrics
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You've got to pick up bombs ad fight
For what you believe is right
Some say
That's just not the way
You will only make things worse
And I hope it'll be all right
Fall into a restless sleep
While so many innocent die
That's why I sing
Hail to all of us
Hail to all of us down here
Maybe someday soon
When we've thought things over
We'll know what to do
But probably
There's a much bigger chance you see
That it will all be gone
So I close my eyes and turn my head away
And I hope it'll be all right
Fall into a restless sleep
While so many innocent die
That's why I sing
Hail to all of us
Hail to all of us down here
New York City, London, Jericho
Jerusalem, Sydney, anywhere you want to go
Cape Town, to the moon and back again
Hail to all of us
Hail to all of us down here
The song "Hail" by Anouk is a melancholic reflection on the violence and conflicts that plague our world. The lyrics talk about the dilemma of whether it is worth fighting for what we believe is right, or if it will only make things worse. The song contemplates the possibility that we may never truly know what to do or how to end the violence and suffering.
Anouk begins the song by acknowledging that sometimes, in order to fight for our beliefs, we must pick up bombs and enter into conflict. However, others believe that war will only worsen the situation. In the face of such violent chaos, Anouk closes her eyes and turns her head away, only to find that many innocent people still die. This leaves her singing "Hail to all of us, hail to all of us down here," which can be interpreted as a plea for unity and hope in a world that does not make sense.
The second verse repeats the idea that we might one day know what to do, but the chances of that happening are slim. Anouk then lists off several different cities, including New York, London, Jericho, and Jerusalem, among others, that are all affected by the same conflicts in different ways. The song concludes with Anouk singing "Hail to all of us, hail to all of us down here" once more, as if to emphasize that we are all in this together, no matter where we come from or where we are going.
Overall, "Hail" is a poignant and powerful reflection on the violence and suffering in our world. Anouk's lyrics show a deep empathy for those who are impacted by conflict and an earnest desire to make things better, even when it seems hopeless.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that sometimes You've got to pick up bombs ad fight For what you believe is right
Some people say that it is sometimes necessary to engage in violent conflict to fight for your beliefs.
Some say That's just not the way You will only make things worse
Others believe that violence will never solve anything, and will only cause more damage.
So I close my eyes and turn my head away And I hope it'll be all right Fall into a restless sleep While so many innocent die That's why I sing
The singer has trouble coping with the violence and death around them, but singing helps them find solace and strength.
Hail to all of us Hail to all of us down here
The singer honors and acknowledges all people everywhere, recognizing their shared experiences and struggles.
Maybe someday soon When we've thought things over We'll know what to do But probably There's a much bigger chance you see That it will all be gone
While there is hope for a peaceful resolution to conflict, there is a greater chance that it will all be lost.
New York City, London, Jericho Jerusalem, Sydney, anywhere you want to go Cape Town, to the moon and back again
The singer recognizes that violence can occur anywhere in the world, from big cities to small towns, and even extends beyond Earth.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANOUK TEEUWE, BART VAN VEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind