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.
The Teardrop
Armand van Helden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(drop it drop it drop it...)
A leviathan exhalation of extant laser lightning electricity
a jetflash furor of fervent flame ferocity
A spectacular son et lumiere of vivifying vivacity
a whizzbang dazzling display of explomongous luminosity . . .
A buttress breaching barrage blast
a tumultuous thunderbolt tirade
An antiseptic antidote against antipathetic anathemas
a cacophonous clamorcadenza, a column crumbling cannonade
A rolling rumbling tremorquake
that shakes the belly of the earth
That cleanses and purifies
and expedites a revitalizing rebirth
The Tear Drop
And now the teardrop is growing . . . growing
larger . . . larger . . . brighter . . . brilliantine
An ecospheric protoplasmic bubble
of translucent membranous crystalline
Containing a polysomatic fetus
of biogeniological perfection
Crafted out of the souls of Gods and Goddesses
Joined for incarnation
Olympus, Zeus, Yahweh, Jove
Rama, Brahma, Vidar, Kronos
Aphrodite, Zubird, Susanoo
Ahura Mazda, Logos
Immanuel, Jupiter, Hera, Epona
Angus, Hel, Hyperion
Vulcan, Apollo, Ninigino, Indra
Dylan, Aditi, Poseidon
Dharma, Lei Kung, Manitou, Hoder
Odin, Mars, Ganapati
Shiva, Papsukai, Horus, Ceres
Neptune, Ra, Parvati
Phoebus, Danu, Helios, Mohammed
Mikoto, Cupid, Dagon
Venus, Juggernaut, Ma Wang, Diana
Kala, Vanir, Persephone, Og
Juno, Neman, Frey and Freya
Isis, Kalki, Chandi, Garuda
Lug, Lir, Kali, Savitar
Yen Lo, Lahmu, Osiris, Buddha
Sarasvati, Kitra, Asapurna, Nina
Cheng Wu, Bhudevi, Tashmit, Bhaga
Thor, Gishbar, Eros, Daksha
Krishna, Inari, Lu Tung Pin, Baba
And Ashur, et al . . .
An amalgamation of holy headliners
all together . . . immersed in a holy embryo
Bathing in the holy waters of Amniotis
surrounded by a holy halo
A cosmic concertina of holy cooperation
between minds, bodies and spirits
In a past, present and futurama
concentrating into one single holy birth
on one single holy spot
the Alpha and Omega of plenipotent prana
Focusing all energy into a single moment
of singular meditation
Holding time and space in a static vacuum
of silent expectation . . . .
The Tear Drop
(drop it drop it drop it...)
*NOTE*
It took me almost an hour to get these lyrics!
I typed it up mostly myself before finding
the text they were copied from
The lyrics to Armand van Helden's song The Tear Drop are a series of vivid and poetic descriptions of an otherworldly event, culminating in the birth of a perfect being created from the souls of various deities. The first section of the lyrics describes the Tear Drop as a massive and powerful force, filled with lightning and flame, and capable of cleansing and purifying everything in its path. The second section describes the Tear Drop's transformation into a protoplasmic bubble which contains the fetus of a perfect being crafted from the souls of gods and goddesses from various mythologies. These deities are listed in a long and eclectic poem, creating a sense of universality that transcends any one belief system.
The lyrics create a sense of awe and wonder at the power and beauty of this mysterious event. The vivid descriptions of the Tear Drop and the fetus suggest that whatever is being created is both powerful and perfect, making it a significant moment in the history of the universe. The inclusion of so many deities from different cultures and belief systems reinforces the idea that this event is part of something beyond any one religion or mythology.
Line by Line Meaning
A leviathan exhalation of extant laser lightning electricity
A powerful and immense release of existing laser-like electricity that resembles the strength of a sea monster.
a jetflash furor of fervent flame ferocity
A sudden burst of intense and passionate energy that resembles a bright, blazing flame.
A spectacular son et lumiere of vivifying vivacity
A dazzling display of sound and light that brings life and energy to everything around it.
a whizzbang dazzling display of explomongous luminosity . . .
A breathtaking and impressive exhibition of massive brightness and intensity.
A buttress breaching barrage blast
An influential and dominant explosion that overcomes every obstacle in its path.
a tumultuous thunderbolt tirade
An unstoppable and chaotic storm of lightning and sound that never lets up.
An annihilating eradicating avalanche of absolute absolution
A crushing and all-encompassing force that completely obliterates everything, leaving behind only purity and redemption.
An antiseptic antidote against antipathetic anathemas
A remedy that acts as a defense against hostile and harmful forces.
a cacophonous clamorcadenza, a column crumbling cannonade
A rowdy and distracting noise that shatters structures and blasts through anything in its path.
A rolling rumbling tremorquake that shakes the belly of the earth
An earth-shattering phenomenon that causes intense vibrations and movements.
That cleanses and purifies and expedites a revitalizing rebirth
A process of cleansing and renewal that leads to a fresh beginning.
And now the teardrop is growing . . . growing larger . . . larger . . . brighter . . . brilliantine
The teardrop is increasing in size and brightness continuously, becoming more beautiful and radiant with each passing moment.
An ecospheric protoplasmic bubble of translucent membranous crystalline
A bubble-like structure made of clear and glowing material that resembles the makeup of living organisms.
Containing a polysomatic fetus of biogeniological perfection
The bubble holds a fetus of incredible biological perfection that contains multiple bodily systems.
Crafted out of the souls of Gods and Goddesses
The fetus is made from the combined essences of many different deities.
Joined for incarnation
Coming together to create a single form of life.
An amalgamation of holy headliners all together . . . immersed in a holy embryo
The combination of many revered and influential figures working together in one holy creation.
Bathing in the holy waters of Amniotis surrounded by a holy halo
The figure is immersed in a sacred and divine environment, surrounded by a holy aura or light.
A cosmic concertina of holy cooperation between minds, bodies and spirits
A combination of powerful, transcendent forces working in harmony with each other.
In a past, present and futurama concentrating into one single holy birth on one single holy spot
The forces of time and space coming together for one divine and miraculous event, in one place and time.
the Alpha and Omega of plenipotent prana
The beginning and end of an all-encompassing life force.
Focusing all energy into a single moment of singular meditation
Bringing all energy and attention to one exact moment of deep concentration and contemplation.
Holding time and space in a static vacuum of silent expectation . . . .
Creating a moment of complete stillness and anticipation where nothing moves, waiting for something to happen.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ARMAND VAN HELDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind