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.
The Good Life
Anouk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turns boys into men, it's awkward
The good life
Time to live and a time to die
A time to fall and a time to fight
The good life
I wonder why I do even try
I'm wishing that someone was near me now
Letting me know I'm OK, that I'll survive
Take me back ten years ago
When I thought
I lived the dream
My heart had been longing for
Tick tock, so many changes
Going through all the stages
The good life
A time to hate and a time to love
Time makes me wait for God
The good life
Unknown future
It's scaring me
So now this is all that I can be
Instead of making a fast run
Trying to make this heart
Come undone
Take me back ten years ago
When I thought
I lived the dream
My heart had been longing for
Cause time does not forget
What I was made for
So follow the stars
Without too many regrets
Time's ticking and it's crawling forward
It's a good life
Just a good life
The lyrics of Anouk's song The Good Life reflect on the passing of time and the changes it brings as one grows older. The opening lines of the song recognize time as an unstoppable force that shapes individuals into who they are and often makes them feel uncomfortable in their own skin. As such, the good life is elusive and difficult to define as one is continually going through different stages and emotions. The line "every word is just another lie" speaks of the disillusionment that comes with age as one realizes that the things they had once believed to be true or worth fighting for are not always what they seem.
As the song progresses, Anouk reminisces on a time ten years ago when she thought she was living the dream she had always wanted. However, time has brought many changes and challenges, making the future seem unknown and scary. The line "time makes me wait for God" reflects on the struggle of waiting for things to fall into place and hoping that there is a bigger plan for one's life. Despite the uncertainties, the song ends on a note of acceptance, recognizing that life may not always be perfect, but it is still good, and one needs to follow their dreams without too many regrets.
Overall, the song tells a timeless story of growing up, experiencing life's ups and downs, and accepting that the journey may not be easy, but there is always beauty in the struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Time's ticking and it's crawling forward
The unstoppable passage of time can be both slow and excruciating, bringing about changes that challenge people, even forcing them to grow up in uncomfortable ways.
Turns boys into men, it's awkward
The unavoidable need to mature can be difficult and awkward when there is no longer the support of childhood and youth to depend on - but necessary to move onto the Good Life.
The good life
The Good Life is the ideal state of being, characterized by a sense of balance, harmony, and contentment.
Time to live and a time to die
Life and death are inextricably linked, a balance that everyone must face at some point in their journey through existence.
A time to fall and a time to fight
People can be pushed down, but they must find the strength to get back up and continue their pursuit of the Good Life.
Every word is just another lie
Words and promises can be hollow when they do not reflect the truth, leaving people feeling disillusioned and searching for authenticity.
I wonder why I do even try
In the face of life's challenges, people may question their own efforts and doubt their choices in order to find the path towards the Good Life.
I'm wishing that someone was near me now
Loneliness can magnify the challenges of life, making it feel like there is nobody there to offer support or encouragement.
Letting me know I'm OK, that I'll survive
Words of comfort, support, and encouragement can ease the pain that comes with change and uncertainty, keeping people on the path towards the Good Life.
Take me back ten years ago
Looking back on a time when the world felt simpler and more certain may help people to regain perspective on what is truly important in their pursuit of the Good Life.
When I thought I lived the dream
The Good Life can often feel like a dream, an idealized state of being that is always just out of reach, yet worth striving for.
My heart had been longing for
The search for meaning, purpose, and fulfillment is at the heart of the quest for the Good Life.
Tick tock, so many changes
The passage of time brings with it changes, both good and bad, that alter the course of people's lives and everything around them.
Going through all the stages
Each stage of life brings with it unique challenges and opportunities that people must work through to reach the Good Life.
A time to hate and a time to love
Love and hate are intense emotions that are part of the human experience, shaping people and their relationships as they move towards the Good Life.
Time makes me wait for God
People often look to God, or some other higher power, to help them find meaning and purpose, especially during times of uncertainty and upheaval in the quest for the Good Life.
Unknown future
The future is always uncertain, requiring people to be resilient, open-minded, and determined to thrive on the path towards the Good Life.
It's scaring me
The fear of the unknown can paralyze people and keep them from moving forward in the pursuit of the Good Life.
So now this is all that I can be
Focusing on the present moment and accepting who they are can help people find peace and fulfillment on the path towards the Good Life.
Instead of making a fast run
Avoiding the challenges of life or looking for easy ways out will not help people reach the Good Life, and may only slow or delay their progress.
Trying to make this heart come undone
Fighting against the natural flow and direction of life will only cause more unrest and confusion, hindering the quest for the Good Life.
Cause time does not forget
The passage of time is relentless, and every moment counts on the journey towards the Good Life.
What I was made for
Each person is born with unique gifts, talents, and purposes that can be leveraged to help them find meaning and fulfillment on the path towards the Good Life.
So follow the stars
The pursuit of the Good Life can be compared to following the stars - a constant journey, with ups and downs, guided by intuition and a clear sense of purpose.
Without too many regrets
Regrets can be heavy burdens, weighing people down and keeping them from moving forward in the quest for the Good Life.
It's a good life
Despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, the Good Life can still be found and savored through resilience, optimism, and a willingness to try.
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.