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.
Wen D'r maar Aan
Anouk Lyrics
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Ik ben wie ik ben
Ik blijf toch wel staan ja wen d'r maar aan
Want ik ben wie ik ben
Ze haten op jou en mij
Ik heb heel veel moeite mezelf te zijn
Ik vecht al te lang
Tegen de mensen die veel meer verwachten dan ik geven kan
En denken te weten wie we zijn
't Doet me niks
Ik heb een masker opgezet
Zo ga ik door 't leven
Zodat niemand mij kent
'k Heb de moed opgegeven
Ik blijf wel staan ja wen d'r maar aan
Want ik ben wie ik ben
Vaak onbemind maar nog niet afgeschreven
Nee nee oh nee
't Doet me niks
Nee nee oh nee
Vaak onbegrepen maar zo is 't leven
Het is wat het is
Ik lach van verdriet maar zeg 't je niet
Ach 't is wat 't is
Ze praten over jou en mij
Veels te veel mensen die snappen toch niet echt wat ik bedoel
Daarom vind ik 't moeilijk om zomaar te praten over mijn gevoel
Ze haten op jou en mij
En denken te weten wie we zijn
Het doet me niks
Ik heb een masker opgezet
Zo ga ik door 't leven
Zodat niemand mij kent
'k Heb de moed opgegeven
Ik blijf wel staan ja wen d'r maar aan
Want ik ben wie ik ben
Vaak onbemind maar nog niet afgeschreven
Nee nee oh nee
Het doet me niks
Nee nee oh nee
The lyrics of Anouk's song "Wen D'r maar Aan" reflect themes of self-acceptance, inner turmoil, and wearing a mask to conceal one's true self. The singer acknowledges that people may talk negatively about her behind her back and hate on both her and the listener, but she remains resilient in her identity, stating "ik ben wie ik ben" (I am who I am). Despite the pressure to conform to others' expectations, she expresses a sense of defiance and determination to stay true to herself, telling others to "wen d'r maar aan" (get used to it).
The lyricist conveys the struggles of feeling misunderstood and unappreciated, revealing a vulnerability beneath the facade of strength. The persona admits to putting on a mask to navigate through life, indicating a sense of resignation and giving up on being truly known by others. This duality of presenting a false front while feeling defeated internally showcases the internal conflict faced by the singer.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's insistence on staying true to herself despite feeling unloved and undervalued, with the repeated phrase "Vaak onbemind maar nog niet afgeschreven" (Often unloved but not yet written off). It conveys a sense of resilience and defiance against those who may try to diminish her worth. The repeated refrain of "Nee nee oh nee" and "Het doet me niks" (No, no oh no, It doesn't bother me) further underlines the singer's detachment from the negativity directed towards her.
The closing verse delves deeper into the disconnect felt between the persona and others, highlighting the challenges of expressing true emotions and feelings to those who may not truly understand. The struggle to communicate authentically and the burden of being judged and misunderstood are recurrent themes throughout the song. Despite the adversity and internal conflicts portrayed, there is a sense of acceptance and resignation to the realities of life, encapsulated in the phrase "Het is wat het is" (It is what it is). The repetition of the refrain and the mentioning of wearing a mask to conceal one's true self further underscore the internal struggles faced by the singer in navigating their identity and relationships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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