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.
Hold On
Anouk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My imagination's playing games
I keep letting you back in my head
The glitter is gone spread your wings and fly
I'll try to keep it civilized
Baby all I wanted was you
There's more to come
Hold on lost one
'Cause there's some more
No one's ever hurt me more than you
I broken down in two pieces
And everything I sing is already been sung
Look at all these scars written on my skin
Some people find them hard to see
Now who will I be when
I'm not with you anymore
Hold on hold on
There's more to come
Hold on lost one
'Cause there's some more
You found yourself another place to hide
I can't believe that it's all set and done
I pray to God for you your choice was right
The time has come for me to let us go
Hold on hold on
There's more to come
Hold on lost one
'Cause there's some more
Anouk's song "Hold On" is a song about emotional pain caused by a significant other. The lyrics start off with the singer acknowledging how situations change, and how her imagination has been playing games with her. She acknowledges that she keeps letting her lover back into her head, even though the "glitter is gone, [so] spread your wings and fly." Despite this, she still wants the person she loves.
The chorus, "Hold on hold on, there's more to come, hold on lost one 'cause there's some more," seems to convey a sense of hope for the situation to improve, that perhaps there's more to come in terms of the relationship, or that things will get better in general. However, the second verse shows how hurt the singer really is. She says that her lover has hurt her more than anyone else ever has, and that she's broken down in two pieces. She also acknowledges that everything she's singing has already been sung before, meaning that her pain is not unique.
The bridge, "Look at all these scars written on my skin, some people find them hard to see, now who will I be when I'm not with you anymore," seems to convey the message that the singer's emotional pain is not immediately visible, but it's still there. She wonders who she will be without her significant other, indicating that her identity is tied to the relationship. The song ends with the singer letting go of her relationship with her lover, acknowledging that they've found another place to hide, and that it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
It's funny how situations change
The circumstances of life can be unpredictable and can alter relationships in unexpected ways
My imagination's playing games
I'm struggling to differentiate between reality and fantasy regarding you
I keep letting you back in my head
Although you've hurt me, I can't help but think of you and miss you
The glitter is gone spread your wings and fly
The initial attraction and excitement has faded, it's time for you to move on and grow
I'll try to keep it civilized
I'll attempt to maintain a level-headed and mature approach towards our situation
Baby all I wanted was you
All I ever desired was to be with you
Hold on hold on
Stay strong and persevere
There's more to come
The future holds more surprises and changes
Hold on lost one
Stay steadfast even when feeling lost
'Cause there's some more
There's more to experience and learn
No one's ever hurt me more than you
Your actions caused me the most pain I've ever felt
I broken down in two pieces
You shattered me emotionally and mentally
And everything I sing is already been sung
I'm struggling to express myself uniquely as all the songs have already been sung about heartbreak
Look at all these scars written on my skin
I carry the physical and emotional markings of our past together
Some people find them hard to see
Others may not understand or empathize with my pain
Now who will I be when
I'm unsure of my identity without you
I'm not with you anymore
Our relationship has come to an end
You found yourself another place to hide
You've moved on and left me behind
I can't believe that it's all set and done
I'm struggling to accept that our relationship is over
I pray to God for you your choice was right
I hope you've made the right decision for yourself and are happy
The time has come for me to let us go
It's time for me to move on and release our past together
Contributed by Aria O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.