Van Helden was born in Boston on February 17, 1970 to a Dutch-Indonesian father and a French-Lebanese mother, but travelled around the world as a child spending time in the Netherlands, Turkey and Italy, as his father was a member of the US Air Force. At the age of thirteen, he bought a drum machine and started DJing two years later.
He returned to Boston in 1988 but also moonlighted as a DJ in Boston clubs. He attended Boston University. He quit his legal review job in 1989 to work as a remixer/producer for Mega-Mixx Productions DJ Remix Service (co-founded by his long time manager, Neil Petricone) where he reworked and re-edited a number of club records for the DJ-only service, including Shawn Christopher's "Another Sleepless Night." He also took up an occupancy at 'The Loft', Boston's leading nightclub.
Mega-Mixx's success was short lived. Mismanagement brought the company to a halt in early 1991. Later that year, he and Petricone, along with founding A&R coordinator, Tony Zeoli, launched X-Mix Productions, a similar DJ Remix service, which still exists today (http://www.xmix.com). Catching the attention of legendary Strictly Rhythm and Nervous Records A&R guru, Glady Pizarro, in 1992 Van Helden released his first official single "Stay On My Mind" under the psuedonym Deep Creed, through Nervous Records.
He released "Move It To the Left" (credited to Sultans of Swing) in 1992 on the Strictly Rhythm label, which became a moderate club hit. His first track to make the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart was "Witch Doktor" which made the top 5 in 1994.
The success of "Witch Doktor" led to opportunities to remix acts such as The Real McCoy ("Another Night", New Order ("Bizarre Love Triangle"), Blondie ("Atomic), Capella ("U Got To Know"), Lightning Seeds ("Jackie Lucky"), Deep Forest ("Marta's Song"), Jimmy Somerville ("Heartbeat"), Deee-Lite ("Dewdrops In The Garden") and Faithless ("Insomnia"). However, it was the "Professional Widow" remix that established him and became a dance hit around the world as well as a number one hit in the UK. Unfortunately, Van Helden did not receive a penny for this mix as he presented it uncommissioned, and thus was not entitled to compensation. However, it led to work remixing The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Puff Daddy as well as Daft Punk and the Sneaker Pimps, and adding to his reputation as one of the world's top house musicians.
Within dance music circles, Van Helden is widely credited for the introduction of the U.K. bred Speed Garage sound to the U.S. club scene with incredible set of remixes. The sound, identifiable by its deep bass subtones, long melodic breaks, and devestatingly hard hitting beats are exemplified in the following remixes beginning in 1995 with Jimmy Somerville "Heartbeat"; CJ Bolland's "Sugar Is Sweeter"; Faithless "Insomnia"; Tori Amos "Professional Widow"; Apollo 440 "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub"; and Sneaker Pimps "Spin, Spin, Sugar."
"Cha Cha" was another top ten dance hit from his first album Old School Junkies released in 1996, along with "The Funk Phenomena". A greatest hits album appeared the next year followed by a breakbeat album later in 1997. "U Don't Know Me," a collaboration with vocalist Duane Harden from the album, "2 Futur 4 U," was a number two hit on the Billboard dance chart, a Number one in the UK and a top 20 single on the pop charts in Australia and Canada.
In 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Armand Van Helden explained, "You Don't Know Me was a perfect example of putting 2 simple things together, the beats from Jaydee's Plastic Dreams and a disco loop from Carrie Lucas."
Van Helden released the Killing Puritans album in 2000 which contained the dance hit "Koochy". His single "Why Can't You Spend Some Time" made the number 34 in the UK in 2001. His New York: A Mix Odyssey album released in 2004 produced two hits:
* "Hear my Name" reached number 7 on the Billboard dance chart, was top 30 on world and internet charts, made number 34 in the UK, and reached the top 40 in Australia; and
* "My My My" reached number 4 on the world internet charts, number 5 in the Belgian and Dutch charts, number 6 in Australia, number 15 in the UK and top 30 in the world dance charts.
In 2010 Van Helden teamed with A-Trak to form the duo Duck Sauce. They had an international smash hit with "Barbra Streisand," which used an ingenious sample from Boney M.
Playmate
Armand van Helden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I grind to the man each and every day
I call my playmate to calculate
He wants to talk and penetrate at eight
I'm juicy yes, yes I want to ride
He's up in my door inside my bedside
Pull to the back on my tippy toes
I rock a pearl neck like Jackie O.
Up in the club with your big peanut
I might play games, I might like smut
You don't know, no man ho
So let me tell you Romeos
Once you play with the cottontail
This fairy tale you gotta derail
'Cause I'm not big on pillow talk
So walk the talk when your hours are clocked
I can't listen to what you say, I don't care anymore
But if you shut up and stay, then I might dare you to play
I can't listen to what you say, I don't care anymore
But if you shut up and stay, then I might dare you to play
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't listen to what you say, I don't care anymore
But if you shut up and stay, then I might dare you to play
I don't play love fair, let me make it clear
I get what I want and I'm so sincere
I'm the boldest bitch and a little brass
I'm kinda flashy with my sassy ass
If there's a chance that you romance this cottontail in a circumstance
I'll be your weekend girl and weekend away
If you feel that way you can runaway
I'll let you know most like me know
'Cause I run the other way of cupid's bow
I don't make time 'cause I hustle and grind
I'm not unkind but a one track mind
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I must say
I can't listen to what you say, I don't care anymore
But if you shut up and stay, then I might dare you to play
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
I can't
The lyrics to Armand van Helden's "Playmate" seem to be about a confident and independent woman who isn't interested in love or commitment but rather just wants to have fun and enjoy herself. She sings about how she's "out of work and ready to play," implying that she's not tied down to a job or any other responsibilities, and she calls her "playmate" to "calculate" - perhaps implying that she's calculating her next move or her next adventure. The verse that mentions her being "juicy" and wanting to ride seems to be about her being sexually confident and wanting to take charge in the bedroom. She rocks a "pearl neck like Jackie O," suggesting that she's fashionable and stylish, but still represents a throwback to another era.
The chorus repeats the line "I can't listen to what you say, I don't care anymore / But if you shut up and stay, then I might dare you to play." This seems to be her way of saying that she's not interested in anyone's opinions or judgments, but if someone is willing to just go along with her and have fun, then she might be willing to play along. The other verses continue with this idea of her being independent and not needing anyone, but still being open to having a good time - as long as it's on her terms. Overall, the lyrics to "Playmate" are about a woman who is in charge of her own life and isn't looking for anyone to come in and change that.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of work and I'm ready to play
I'm ready to have some fun because I'm not working right now
I grind to the man each and every day
I work hard every day for someone else
I call my playmate to calculate
I ask my lover to plan our next sexual encounter
He wants to talk and penetrate at eight
He wants to talk and have sex at 8 o'clock
I'm juicy yes, yes I want to ride
I'm sexually aroused and eager to engage in sexual activity
He's up in my door inside my bedside
He's at my door and about to enter my bedroom
Pull to the back on my tippy toes
I lean back on my toes for balance during sexual activity
I rock a pearl neck like Jackie O.
I wear a pearl necklace like Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Up in the club with your big peanut
I'm at the club with a man who has a big penis
I might play games, I might like smut
I might play games or enjoy sexual activities that some consider dirty or taboo
You don't know, no man ho
You don't understand, you're not familiar with this lifestyle
So let me tell you Romeos
Let me explain to all the men listening
Once you play with the cottontail
Once you engage in sexual activity with me, the cottontail (a sexual reference to my body),
This fairy tale you gotta derail
You have to let go of any romantic notions of love or commitment
'Cause I'm not big on pillow talk
I'm not interested in talking about emotions or feelings after sex
So walk the talk when your hours are clocked
So prove yourself through your actions, not just your words
I don't play love fair, let me make it clear
I don't believe in fair and equal relationships, let me be upfront
I get what I want and I'm so sincere
I'm genuine in my desire to get what I want
I'm the boldest bitch and a little brass
I'm confident and assertive, with a touch of arrogance
I'm kinda flashy with my sassy ass
I'm flamboyant and confident in my appearance and personality
If there's a chance that you romance this cottontail in a circumstance
If there's a possibility that you want to have a romantic relationship with me
I'll be your weekend girl and weekend away
I'm willing to be your casual fling for weekends
If you feel that way you can runaway
If you don't want to engage in casual sex with me, you can leave
I'll let you know most like me know
I'll be honest with you, just like I am with everyone else
'Cause I run the other way of cupid's bow
Because I'm not interested in the idea of love or being struck by Cupid's arrow
I don't make time 'cause I hustle and grind
I'm too busy working and pursuing my own interests to make time for a serious relationship
I can't listen to what you say, I don't care anymore
I'm not interested in listening to you because I don't care
But if you shut up and stay, then I might dare you to play
If you stop talking and stay with me, I might be interested in having sex with you
I must say
I have to admit
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREA SUMMERS, ARMAND VAN HELDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zsuzsannascheffer6565
10 éve buliztam erre!!! Fénykorom zenéje!!!! :D
@gaborgabor2772
Én is igy vagyok ezzel😎
@coulibaliche
enfin ce son reviens sur youtube ! il avai disparus de la circulation depuis qq mois ... enfin son retour ! un de mes sons preferés !!! merci armand van helden! <3
@Alabamatp
Hűű mennyi magyar :D Látszik, mi vagyunk a legnagyobb partiarcok :D:D
@tsoontseemocoosh
erről a számról nagyon jó emlékeim vannak :D ezért is imádom <33
@SteliosE92
the girl's part sounds so playful and happy,i like it
@fonok20
ez egy nagyon jo szam minden el ismersem a szam keszitojenek!!
@dikesz93
EMBEREK! MAX RESPECT! LEGJOBBB!
@cezarglz
He buscado esta cancion desde hace cinco años!
@gsxr750k3
épp most tudtam meg a címét, már szedem is le... mocsok jó egy zene :)