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”.
Breaking Ties
Armin van Buuren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel it to the bone
Oh when you say you know
I feel I am not alone
And even though I may return
To empty places on my own
Where I remember everything
And you provide a parachute
When I am falling like a stone
And I remember there's a life
That I have not lived yet
You and I, truth and lies
I've been fooling myself too long
You and I, breaking ties
How could we be so right and so wrong?
I hear the words you say
Your mouth against my skin
My world just falls away
You light me from within
And even though I may return
To empty places on my own
Where I remember everything
You want me to forget
And you provide a parachute
When I am falling like a stone
And I remember there's a life
That I have not lived yet
You and I, truth and lies
I've been fooling myself too long
You and I, breaking ties
How could we be so right and so wrong?
Truth and lies
Breaking ties
You and I, truth and lies
I've been fooling myself too long
You and I, breaking ties
How could we be so right and so wrong?
The lyrics of "Breaking Ties" by Armin van Buuren delve into the complex emotions experienced within a turbulent relationship. The opening lines, "Oh when the cold wind blows, I feel it to the bone, Oh when you say you know, I feel I am not alone," convey the raw vulnerability of the singer. The cold wind represents the emotional hardships they face, and when the other person acknowledges and understands their pain, it provides a sense of comfort and support.
The next stanza, "And even though I may return to empty places on my own, Where I remember everything you want me to forget," highlights the struggle of trying to move on from the past. The singer finds themselves revisiting places associated with memories they are encouraged to forget, revealing the internal conflict they face.
The following lines, "And you provide a parachute when I am falling like a stone, And I remember there's a life that I have not lived yet," suggest that despite the challenges, the other person is a source of refuge, saving them from emotional descent. This reminds the singer that there is still potential for a fulfilling future that they have yet to experience.
The chorus, "You and I, truth and lies, I've been fooling myself too long, You and I, breaking ties, How could we be so right and so wrong?" delves into the contradictory nature of the relationship. The truth and lies represent the conflicting perspectives and mixed signals. The singer acknowledges that they have been deceiving themselves for an extended period, and the phrase "breaking ties" signifies their realization of the need to sever the connection. The irony lies in the fact that despite the intense connection they felt, the relationship ultimately proved to be both right and wrong simultaneously.
The following verses emphasize the physical and emotional impact this relationship has on the singer, with lines like "I hear the words you say, Your mouth against my skin, My world just falls away, You light me from within." These words evoke the profound effect the other person has on the singer, as well as the overwhelming sense of being consumed by their presence.
In the final repetition of the chorus, the lyrics "Truth and lies, Breaking ties" serve as a simple yet powerful summary of the conflicting aspects discussed throughout the song. The singer recognizes the need to confront the truth, even if it means breaking the ties holding them to this complicated relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh when the cold wind blows
When faced with harsh and difficult situations, I experience their impact deeply.
I feel it to the bone
I am profoundly affected and affected to my core.
Oh when you say you know
When you claim to understand and comprehend.
I feel I am not alone
I sense a connection and companionship, knowing someone shares my experiences.
And even though I may return
Despite revisiting and going back to
To empty places on my own
Lonely and desolate locations devoid of warmth and companionship
Where I remember everything
Where my mind recalls and holds onto every memory
You want me to forget
That you desire me to let go of and erase from my thoughts.
And you provide a parachute
You offer me a safety net and support system
When I am falling like a stone
During times when I am descending rapidly and uncontrollably.
And I remember there's a life
I realize and acknowledge the existence of another life
That I have not lived yet
One I have yet to experience and embrace.
You and I, truth and lies
The relationship between two individuals, encompassing both honesty and deceit
I've been fooling myself too long
I have deceived and deluded myself for an extended period.
How could we be so right and so wrong?
How can our situation be simultaneously correct and mistaken?
I hear the words you say
I listen attentively to the phrases you utter.
Your mouth against my skin
The sensation of your lips touching my body.
My world just falls away
The entirety of my existence diminishes in significance.
You light me from within
You ignite a profound and profound spark within me.
Truth and lies
The contrast between honesty and deception.
Breaking ties
The act of severing and ending connections and bonds.
You and I, truth and lies
The connection between two individuals, entailing both truth and deceit.
I've been fooling myself too long
I have deceived and deluded myself for an extended period.
You and I, breaking ties
We are ending and severing our connection and bond.
How could we be so right and so wrong?
How can our situation be simultaneously correct and mistaken?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Paavo Olavi Siljamaeki, Jonathan David Grant, Anthony Patrick Jam McGuinness, Justine Simone Freha Suissa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@donavansmith5732
If ever the human race has to choose a collection of songs to represent us as a species, i vote this album.
@devong1414
It's 2023. This is still my favorite track. I think we're due another oceanlab album. please....
@chefshaun658
2024! this album got me in to trance all them years ago! This led me on a journey through my youth and now I have so many amazing memories of club nights up and down the uk from 2007 for many years to follow, a great time for trance ❤
@elenaduk6880
one of most beautiful track love it ❤
@laurandes08
You and I, breaking ties, how could we be so right and so wrong? <3
@catamax100
pure bliss..amazing track..how come this masterpiece have only 3923 likes??? well mine count for a million♥♥
@xlizzieee
You and I, truth and lies, I've been fooling myself for too long You and I, breaking ties, how could we be so right and so wrong
@jakubzera8152
Amazing! Haven't bought a CD since 2011 (Eminem) but bought this just now off amazon to support you!
Keep it up!
Thanks for the positivity and great music!
@jakubzera8152
Wow I'm back 4 years later I didn't even know I commented . Life is a gift so much . Thank you
@TheRockLobsterMafia
@@jakubzera8152 it's beautiful music brother. It's so amazingly therapeutic