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.
Jerusalem
Anouk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
‘Cause I have kinda lost my way
Sir will you help me get there as fast as I can
Tomorrow might be too late
‘Cause things ain't what they used to be
My love for life is gone you see
Am I fighting things I cannot see
They say you might as well live before you die
[Chorus:]
But one thing I know for sure
I am a danger to myself, how come
Yeah one thing I know for sure
I need some guidance, to get me out of this hellhole
Jerusalem, can you help me find my way back to Jerusalem, yeah
It took me quite a while to get into Jerusalem
´Cause I had kinda lost my way
I want to save me from myself so here I am
I hope it's not too late
´Cause things ain't what they used to be
My love for life is gone you see
Am I fighting things I cannot see
I am so afraid to love
´Cause of the way I've been hurt before
I think by now it's time for me to leave
[Chorus]
Jerusalem, can you help me find my way back to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, can you help me find what I have lost
Things ain't what they used to be
My love for life is gone you see
Am I fighting things I cannot see
I don't want to die this way
Wishing that I could turn back time
Wasted time, there is work to be done
[Chorus]
Jerusalem, can you help me find my way back to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, can you help me find what I have lost, yeah yeah
Alright
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Anouk's song "Jerusalem" is a plea for help from someone lost and struggling to find their way back to a better life. The singer addresses a stranger, referred to as "sir," asking for assistance in finding Jerusalem, a metaphor for a place of healing, peace, and redemption. The lyrics express a sense of hopelessness and desperation as the singer admits to being a danger to themselves and unsure of how to move forward.
The song touches on themes of mental health, fear of love, and the struggle to find purpose in life. The repeated refrain of "Jerusalem, can you help me find my way back to Jerusalem?" highlights the singer's desire for guidance and support in overcoming their struggles.
Overall, "Jerusalem" is a poignant and introspective song that speaks to the human experience of feeling lost and in need of guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sir can you tell me how to get to Jerusalem
Asking for help to find the right path to a better life
‘Cause I have kinda lost my way
Feeling lost and confused about where life is going
Sir will you help me get there as fast as I can
Desperate for guidance and support to make positive changes as soon as possible
Tomorrow might be too late
Realizing the urgency of taking action and not waiting any longer
‘Cause things ain't what they used to be
Acknowledging the negative changes in life that have impacted happiness and well-being
My love for life is gone you see
Feeling a lack of passion or motivation for living life to the fullest
Am I fighting things I cannot see
Questioning the difficulties and obstacles in life that seem invisible or hard to overcome
People always tellin' me how sweet and simple life could be
Hearing advice from others about how easy life can be, but struggling to believe it
They say you might as well live before you die
Encouragement to make the most of life before it's too late
But one thing I know for sure
Confident about one thing despite feeling lost in other areas of life
I am a danger to myself, how come
Realizing that personal actions and choices can have negative consequences
I need some guidance, to get me out of this hellhole
Desperately seeking help to escape a negative and unhappy state of being
Jerusalem, can you help me find my way back to Jerusalem, yeah
Using the idea of a city as a metaphor for a happier and more fulfilling life
It took me quite a while to get into Jerusalem
Recognizing that finding happiness and fulfillment can take time and effort
I want to save me from myself so here I am
Taking responsibility and action to improve personal well-being and happiness
I hope it's not too late
Expressing worry and anxiety that it might be too late to turn things around
I am so afraid to love
Feeling scared and hesitant to open up and trust others due to past hurt
´Cause of the way I've been hurt before
Acknowledging previous experiences of pain and trauma that have impacted the ability to love and trust
I think by now it's time for me to leave
Feeling a sense of urgency to move on from negative experiences and relationships
I don't want to die this way
Expressing a fear of continuing in a negative and unhappy state, and a desire for change
Wishing that I could turn back time
Regretting past choices and wishing for the ability to undo them
Wasted time, there is work to be done
Feeling regret for time lost, but recognizing that there is still work to do in order to achieve happiness and fulfillment
Jerusalem, can you help me find what I have lost
Seeking to rediscover happiness and fulfillment that has been lost or misplaced
Alright
Expressing a sense of determination and readiness to take action towards improving life
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Repeating the city metaphor as a symbol for a happier and more fulfilling life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REMON R STOTIJN, ANOUK TEEUWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind