Armin van Buuren (born Armin Jozef Jacobus Daniël van Buuren, December 25, … Read Full Bio ↴Armin van Buuren (born Armin Jozef Jacobus Daniël van Buuren, December 25, 1976) is a trance (mostly progressive trance and uplifting trance) music producer and DJ from the Netherlands. His musical career started in 1995.

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”.

These Shoulders
Armin van Buuren Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

With a smile to melt a thousand hearts
You've become a gift to all
But will your everything be enough

Run away, time to take the way they unwind
Sworn to silence, just a helping hand
Stand in line
They call

They call
They call
Oh how they want you, but who's the one you call when you fall?

[Chorus]
These shoulders are holding the weight of the world
These shoulders are holding the weight of my world

Don't you cry, it'll be alright
Somehow we'll make it better
Now don't you cry, it'll be alright
Sometime we'll make it better
Don't you cry
Don't you cry
Now don't you cry

[Chorus]

Don't you cry, it'll be alright
Somehow we'll make it better

Now don't you cry, it'll be alright
Sometime we'll make it better

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Armin van Buuren's song "These Shoulders" convey a message of support and reassurance to someone who is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. The opening lines describe the person's charismatic nature, with a smile that can touch the hearts of many and how they have become a gift to everyone around them. However, there is a question posed about whether this person's efforts and everything they are giving will be enough to overcome the challenges they are facing.

The next lines talk about escaping from the pressures and expectations placed upon them. They are urged to take a different path, one that allows them to unwind and break free from the burdens that have been placed on them. The reference to being sworn to silence suggests that this person has been forced into conforming to certain expectations or roles. Despite this, they are still willing to lend their helping hand to others.

The repeated phrase, "They call," indicates the persistent demands placed on this person, and their constant availability and willingness to answer these calls. However, there is a subtle shift as the lyrics ask, who is there for this person when they fall? It highlights the importance of reciprocal support, and the fact that even those who seem strong and capable need someone to lean on when they themselves are in need.

The chorus emphasizes the weight that this person is carrying, whether it is the weight of the world or their own personal world. The lyrics acknowledge the struggle but offer reassurance that everything will be alright and that they will find a way to make it better. The repetition of the phrase "Don't you cry" serves as a reminder to keep faith and not lose hope, as there is always the potential for improvement and relief from the burdens they carry.

Overall, "These Shoulders" is a song that acknowledges the overwhelming challenges faced by someone who is constantly relied upon and represents a message of comfort and support to remind them that they are not alone in their struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

With a smile to melt a thousand hearts
Your enchanting smile has the power to touch countless souls

You've become a gift to all
You have transformed into a precious blessing for everyone

But will your everything be enough
However, can your utmost efforts and dedication satisfy the expectations

Run away, time to take the way they unwind
Escape from the mundane routine and embrace the path that brings joy and relaxation

Sworn to silence, just a helping hand
Committed to maintaining secrecy, offering assistance selflessly

Stand in line
Waiting patiently along with others

They call
People beckon for your presence

Oh how they want you, but who's the one you call when you fall?
Oh, they desire your support, but who will you turn to in times of vulnerability and despair?

These shoulders are holding the weight of the world
These shoulders bear the enormous burden of the entire world

These shoulders are holding the weight of my world
These shoulders carry the weight of my personal world

Don't you cry, it'll be alright
Do not shed tears, everything will be fine

Somehow we'll make it better
We will find a way to improve the situation

Now don't you cry, it'll be alright
Now, do not weep, everything will be fine

Sometime we'll make it better
Eventually, we will create a better outcome

Don't you cry
Do not shed tears

Now don't you cry
Now, do not weep

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ALAN ANDREW NIMMO, ANDREW MICHAEL BAYER, JULIE DONNA THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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