He has been named number one in the prestigious DJ MAG Top 100 poll four times in a row, from 2007 till 2010 and for the 5th time in 2012. He's the first DJ in the history of the DJ Magazine to achieve that and an indication of his prolific output over more than 14 years he’s been dj’ing and producing. Being the official World’s Most Popular DJ is just one of his many achievements, but the driving force behind his success is an overriding passion for electronic dance music.
2008 began with the success that the number one DJ seems to attract; he was awarded with the prestigious Buma Cultuur Pop Award in January. This was followed by being voted as the Best Trance Artist in the Beatport Music Awards in March; judged on the musician’s artistic achievements, national and international success, it is evident that Armin van Buuren has become one of the decade’s most influential trance acts.
Even a basic list of recent successes reads like a lifetime of work: ‘Best Album’ for artist album ‘Shivers’ at both the Dutch Release Dance Awards and the prestigious Edison Awards; ‘Best Compilation’ for ‘A State Of Trance’, in 2006, claiming the ‘Best European DJ’ award in 2007 and ‘Best Mix Radio Show’ at the Miami Winter Music Conference in 2006 and 2007, for radio show ‘A State Of Trance’ – now broadcasting on a massive 40 FM stations as well as satellite and internet radio, with over 26 million listeners a week; a 5th year residency in Ibiza at Amnesia and over 50,000 downloads every week from podcasting high end chart-bothering positions all over the world for singles, albums and compilations , with single “Rush Hour” used as the theme tune to the UEFA European Youth Championship; the #1 entry in the Dutch album charts with his artist album ‘Imagine’, the #1 entry of the DVD registration of ‘Armin Only ‘ Imagine’ – the landmarks just keep coming!
The 350th episode and the 7th year of the hit radio show ‘A State of Trance’ was celebrated in May 2008 with an eight hour live broadcast from Antwerp in Belgium to over 40 radio stations internationally. Fans were invited to a free party with a line up that had been voted for by the show’s listeners; another example of the importance the DJ places on the satisfaction of his fans. Considering the popularity of the radio show the introduction of ‘A State of Trance Podcast’ was a natural progression. The weekly podcasts which contain highlights and Armin’s favourite tracks from the previous episode ensure that trance lovers across the world will never miss another episode!
Sold-out shows for Armin Only in 2005 and 2006 created eager anticipation of the third edition, which kicked off in a sold-out Jaarbeurs in Utrecht in 2008; over 16,000 fans attended and were enthralled by the DJ’s nine hour set. The theme of the night was ‘Imagine’, described by Armin as “the celebration of our sensations both in life and in clubland.” Fans all around the world should not despair, as ‘Armin Only’ tour dates have also been set for Romania, Poland, Belgium and Australia; the DJ will also be touring in England, Scotland, Ibiza, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the USA, with expected dates in, for an example, the Czech Republic.
Born in Leiden, Holland (on December 25, 1976) to a musical family, Armin indulged his passion for music from a young age. He spent all the money he earned with his paper round on records. His mum won a computer when he was 10, gaining Armin’s interest. “So as a little nerdy kid I was writing my own basic programmes, and learnt about the technology from there.” He progressed from making low-profile mix tapes for friends to higher profile mixes when he discovered experimenting with different sequences on his computer through his uncle. “I was so stunned by what I saw him doing on the computer, that I got addicted to creating music right there and then!”
“I loved dance music immediately – this great rebellious sound that was so different to the ‘beautiful’ songs of the years before”. Armin cites electronic pioneer Jean Michel Jarre as a major influence (famed for his awesome visuals as well as his groundbreaking synth sounds), as well as Dutch producer Ben Liebrand, who later mentored him in his mixing and producing.
In the early days, Armin thought it was wise to have something extra in case the DJ’ing didn’t work out. So he studied for a law degree. The final year of his course was inevitably stretched as he juggled his studies with his increasingly hectic schedule; his rise to fame included lots of productions and remixes, as well as playing out to packed clubs every weekend. It took him three years to graduate, but his determination made him succeed!
Armin’s own productions have all made a huge impact and quickly gain worldwide acclaim; his latest artist album titled ‘Imagine’ entered the Dutch Album Top 100 Chart at number one; this is the first time a dance producer has ever accomplished such a feat in the history of Dutch music. The first single to be taken from this album, ‘Going Wrong’ with DJ Shah featuring Chris Jones, entered the Dutch Singles Chart at number five. The ‘Armin Only DVD’ was also released and reached the acclaimed number one spot in its second week. His back catalogue includes Blue Fear, Communication, Sound of Goodbye, Shivers, Rush Hour, Burned With Desire, Exhale, Love You More, This World Is Watching Me, and Yet Another Day. While the remix offers flood in, Armin only takes on tracks that he really loves. He uses exactly the same criteria for his compilations, meaning that every release from Armin or his long-running Armind label is a bone fide stormer that’s earned its place. His output includes tracks for the cult TV series 24, and the likes of Motorcycle’s As The Rush Comes.
Armin is a dedicated trance lover, but isn’t imprisoned by a single genre, saying “What makes trance work so well is that it doesn’t stick to one style, and can incorporate electro, minimal, whatever it likes.” His desire to showcase more of the great music he hears, along with the number of people sending him tracks they wanted to release, led to the obvious step of starting his own label, Armada, in 2003.
The label is a joint venture between Armin, Maykel Piron (former head of A&R for Warner Music) and David Lewis, who'd previously managed Armin. "What we wanted was a company that could offer everything for an artist: representation, a booking agency, and a record company. Artists can choose full management, or to just release a record or play out at gigs. Armada lets the artists choose what they want without telling them what to do".
Armin is now a fully-fledged artist in his own right, having made his songwriting debut on his album, the award-winning Shivers; The events continue to get bigger and bigger, and Armin regularly headlines the likes of Sensation White, Global Gathering, Dance Valley, ZoukOut, Mysteryland, Coachella, Beats In Brazil, Trance Energy, Fort Dance, Summer Days – basically whether you’re in Australia, Russia, the Middle East, the US or Europe, you can catch Armin van Buuren at a club or festival near you!
"This is just what I really want," says Armin. "It’s not just love for music, it’s my passion. It goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby, it’s about a way of living. Music is essential to my life”.
Airport
Armin van Buuren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
World's on turn around
Music make no sound
Where is sweetness found
Where love is gone
Sun don't come around
Don't make a sound
Where can love be found
Shivers
Up and down my spine
Breaker
Not on my mind
A little bit just a little bit... (x4)
How could it end this way
Don't leave me, love me
Just a little bit longer (x3)
They don't turn tonight
Morning don't bring light
Where is sweetness found
Where love is gone
Won't you stay tonight
Let the truth shine bright
Where can love be found
If your heart won't feel
Memories
Emotions that we share
Teardrops
Signing my face
How could it end this way
Don't leave me, love me
Just a little bit longer (x4)
A little bit just a little bit... (x4)
The song "Airport" by Armin van Buuren is a hauntingly beautiful track that explores the pain and confusion of lost love. In the opening lines, the lyrics paint a picture of a world that is spinning out of control, where even music cannot offer solace. The singer is searching for sweetness and love, but finds only emptiness and darkness. The sun doesn't come around, and the heart cannot feel.
The chorus brings to light the singer's desperation to hold onto the love that has slipped away. They plead with their lover to stay just a little bit longer, to not leave them alone in this cold and lonely world. The verses continue to describe the pain of lost love, with shivers running up and down the singer's spine and teardrops staining their face. The memories and emotions shared are all that remain, as the morning fails to bring the light of a new day.
Overall, "Airport" is a poignant reflection on the fragility of love and the devastation of its loss. The sparse yet evocative lyrics are masterfully paired with the haunting melody and ethereal vocals, creating a truly powerful emotional experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
A little bit just a little bit... (x4)
The singer repeats these lines throughout the song, perhaps to convey a sense of longing or desperation for love that is lost.
World's on turn around
The world seems to be spinning out of control or changing rapidly, perhaps reflecting the chaos or uncertainty in the singer's life.
Music make no sound
Despite the singer's love for music, it is unable to bring any solace or relief to their pain or loneliness.
Where is sweetness found
The singer is searching for sweetness or happiness in their life, but can't seem to find it.
Where love is gone
The singer has lost their love or connection with someone or something important.
Sun don't come around
The sun, often associated with warmth and light, is absent, perhaps symbolizing the lack of hope or positivity in the singer's life.
Don't make a sound
The singer is pleading for silence or stillness, perhaps wanting to withdraw from the world and its noise or chaos.
Where can love be found / If your heart won't feel
The singer is wondering where love can be found, but acknowledges that their own heart may be closed off or unwilling to receive it.
Shivers / Up and down my spine
The singer is experiencing shivers or chills, perhaps as a physical manifestation of their emotions or memories.
Breaker / Not on my mind
The singer is not able to focus on anything else or shake off their pain, like a wave that keeps crashing over them.
How could it end this way
The singer is questioning how their love or relationship could have ended in such a painful or unexpected way.
Don't leave me, love me
The singer is desperately clinging to their love or hoping for reconciliation with someone they've lost.
Just a little bit longer (x3)
The singer is asking for just a little more time or love, perhaps to try and fix their relationship or heal their pain.
They don't turn tonight
Something that usually turns, perhaps a metaphor for a relationship or a sense of forward momentum, is stalled or stagnant.
Morning don't bring light
Even the promise of a new day or fresh start is unable to bring any light into the singer's life.
Won't you stay tonight / Let the truth shine bright
The singer is asking for someone to stay with them and be honest or open, perhaps trying to salvage their relationship or overcome their pain together.
Memories / Emotions that we share
The singer is reflecting on memories and emotions that they shared with someone, perhaps trying to hold onto or process them.
Teardrops / Signing my face
The singer is crying, perhaps feeling overwhelmed or unable to contain their emotions anymore.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW MCMASTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Halley Stezoucoski
A little bit, just a little bit
A little bit, just a little bit
A little bit, just a little bit
A little bit, just a little bit
How could it end this way?
Don't leave me, love me
Just a little bit longer
How could it end this way?
Don't leave me, love me
Just a little bit longer
How could it end this way?
Don't leave me, love me
Just a little bit longer
Simon
As an old school clubber from 20 years ago, I've only just discovered this track. What a beast of a tune. Absolutely love the riff.
criztiuca
same here
Nate Tellis
This is the real #1 trance track...I think that's what people were voting for on ASOT
JHM
Was thinking the same, AirPort alone would smash shivers 😜
Sofian Albakheet
It's good but not as the original mix. No one can beat Armin when it comes to his field
criztiuca
@Sofian Albakheet he's a good dj, but as producer... i doubt that
Sofian Albakheet
@criztiuca His track got the number1 trance track voted by the audience. How come he is not a good producer??
eningram
@Sofian Albakheet Firstly because his stuff is ghost produced or at least largely co-produced Benno De Goeij. Secondly armin was probably at one time a decent producer but technology moves quick and I would wager there are now thousands of no name bedroom producers who have way better chops than Armin. 140 Trance is pretty easy to produce in comparison to a lot of other electronic music genres.
bogduha
One of the best trance tracks I've ever heard and will ever be.
Jasmine
I can listen to this over and over and over again on an endless loop and not get tired of it