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”.
Just as You Are
Armin van Buuren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's a picture from way back when
We were all that we could be
I still remember that day with you
How the minutes and hours flew
How your smile overtook me
It was the first time I felt the sun
As you are, as you are, as you are
And everytime that I see your face
No, know no one ever could take your place
'Cause you made it easy, as you are, as you are
However you are
However you are
However you are
However you are
However you are
However you are
However you are
However you are
Just as you are you're all that I need
You'll see that the world gets the best of me
You're all that I need just as you are
And just as you are, you're all that I need
You'll see that the world gets the best of me
You're all that I need, just as you are
As you are
As you are
As you are
The lyrics of "You Are" by Armin van Buuren and Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano is a love song about the enduring quality of a person's character. The first stanza reflects on the memories of the past and the moments when two people first fell in love. The song speaks to how love can overcome anything that the world throws at them. The chorus speaks of the importance of embracing one's partner as they are, without any change, as it is in those moments that true love is found. The repetition of the phrase "however you are" emphasizes this sentiment and can be seen as an affirmation that true love accepts a person for who they are and not who they might become.
The second verse emphasizes that the world may not always be kind to us, but the love of a partner can help us to overcome these challenges. The lyrics repeat the idea that they need each other just as they are, with no expectations for either to change. This sentiment is repeated in the conclusion of the song, which reinforces the idea that true love is accepting of a person without reservation.
Overall, the song is a reminder that true love is found when one accepts their partner as they are, with all their flaws, imperfections, and strengths. The song is beautifully crafted, the harmony and rhythm blend in perfectly to give a serene background to the soft vocals. It is a heartfelt and emotional song that leaves the listener feeling uplifted and inspired about the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Well look what the cat dragged in
Something or someone surprising has arrived, unexpectedly.
Here's a picture from way back when
I found an old photo from a time before, which reminds me of how much has changed.
We were all that we could be
At that moment in time, we were living life to its fullest potential.
I still remember that day with you
That day stands out in my mind, as if it were yesterday.
How the minutes and hours flew
Time passed quickly, it felt like only moments had passed.
How your smile overtook me
Your smile was so captivating that it overwhelmed everything else around me.
It was the first time I felt the sun
Being around you made me feel a warmth and brightness that I had never felt before.
I knew that you were the only one for me, plain and simple
I had a deep sense of knowing that you were the person I had been waiting for, without any doubt or hesitation.
And everytime that I see your face
Every single time I look at you, it brings me joy.
No, know no one ever could take your place
No one can ever replace you or take your position in my heart or in my life.
'Cause you made it easy, as you are, as you are
You have a way of making things effortless and uncomplicated, just by being yourself.
Just as you are you're all that I need
I don't need you to change or be anything more than who you already are, you are all that I need.
You'll see that the world gets the best of me
Despite the challenges that come with living in this world, I will always give my best effort to be my best self for you.
You're all that I need just as you are
You are enough for me and I don't need anything more than your authentic self.
As you are
Being yourself, exactly as you are.
As you are
Being yourself, without any need to change or conform.
As you are
Being yourself, is exactly who you need to be.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Cloud9
Written by: Fiora Cutler, Benno De Goeij, Armin Van Van Buuren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertobanegas8278
Listening this at Ultra was perhaps the most beautiful moment! Thank you Armin!
@ukaszsmaga5547
We need more songs like this from you, Armin. It's absolutely stunning track.
@TRANCE266
absolutely world class Armin needs to keep making tracks like this not like what he is currently doing tracks like this is what trance is and always will be
@anthonybova5889
Agreed times a billion....
@ThatOneScienceGuy
Yeah this one is really good.
@zacksilber-coats352
There needs to be a compilation of "Vocal trance songs to play at a wedding", and this track DEFINITELY needs to be on it.
I would download that in a heartbeat.
@oilerfreak
We did use a trance song for our wedding - Let Me Be The One by Karen Danzig
@ultimateclassic4092
Has that classic late 90s-early 2000s uplifting feel. This is the kind of trance we need nowadays. Thanks Armin.
@JasonAranda29
The tune of the year!!!
@xuaxace
Going to be top 3 for sure