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.
Last Goodbye
Anouk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we watch the sun go down, it's heavenly
As you begin to cry, I say I love you
Then we will meet again some day
I know it's true!
As birds fly by, stars are lining up tonight
Your hand in mine, when we say our last goodbye,
Fire in the sky.
Makes me feel so full of peace to feel you with me,
'Cause we have nothing more to fear, nothing to hope
I see you take one last breath,
I want you to know that you are free to leave my love
Now let it go!
As birds fly by, stars are lining up tonight
Your hand in mine, when we say our last goodbye,
Fire in the sky
Eh eeh eeeh fire in the sky
Aaah aaah
Eh eeh eeeh fire in the sky
Aaah aaah
Fire in the sky
Fire, fire in the sky.
The lyrics of Anouk’s song Last Goodbye are deeply emotive and center around the themes of love, loss, and ultimately acceptance of death. Throughout the song, Anouk seems to be making peace with the impending death of a loved one. The opening lines, “Beneath the burning sky, I hold you gently, when we watch the sun go down, it's heavenly” paint a picture of a serene, peaceful moment between two people. The darkness slowly starting to take over the light is symbolic of how life can eventually lead to death. However, there is a sense of comfort and acceptance between the two as they watch the sun go down together.
As the song progresses, the mood becomes more somber, and Anouk begins to express her sadness towards the fact that eventually, this person will have to leave. This is illustrated through lines like "as you begin to cry, I say I love you, Then we will meet again someday, I know it's true!" The use of the word “begin” is significant here, implying that this person has already come to terms with the inevitability of their death. Anouk's use of the phrase "Fire in the sky" represents the passion of their love burning in the sky as they say their final goodbyes.
In the closing verses, Anouk emphasizes the importance of enjoying the present moment, as there is “nothing more to fear, nothing to hope.” The final lines: "As birds fly by, stars are lining up tonight, your hand in mine when we say our last goodbye, fire in the sky" highlight the beauty and symbolism of nature and the finality of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Beneath the burning sky, I hold you gently
I am holding you lovingly and tenderly under the hot and fiery sky.
When we watch the sun go down, it's heavenly
It feels like paradise to watch the beautiful sunset with you.
As you begin to cry, I say I love you
I express my love for you as you start to shed tears.
Then we will meet again some day, I know it's true!
I have faith that we will reunite one day, I am sure of it!
As birds fly by, stars are lining up tonight
I notice the birds flying and the stars aligning in the sky.
Your hand in mine, when we say our last goodbye
We are holding hands as we bid farewell to each other.
Fire in the sky
The sky is burning with a powerful and intense fire.
Makes me feel so full of peace to feel you with me
Being with you brings me a deep sense of calm and tranquility.
'Cause we have nothing more to fear, nothing to hope
We have reached a point where we no longer have anything to worry about or look forward to.
I see you take one last breath
I am witnessing you take your final breath.
I want you to know that you are free to leave my love
I want you to know that you have my permission to pass away and leave this world.
Now let it go!
I urge you to release any pain or suffering and let go of life.
Eh eeh eeeh fire in the sky
Repeating the statement about the intense fire in the sky.
Aaah aaah
Interjection expressing emotion or sensation.
Fire in the sky
Repeating the statement about the intense fire in the sky.
Fire, fire in the sky.
Repeating the statement about the intense fire in the sky.
Writer(s): Tore Johansson, Anouk Teeuwe, Martin Gjerstad
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.