Lennaert and Astrid kept on working together for a long time, with Lennaert providing lyrics for many songs on many of Astrids albums.
Since 1980 Astrid has been performing songs with her own lyrics, in her very own, unique way. After productions with other well known Dutch artists, she has stayed out of the recording business for some years. Today she is back in town, sounding like never before!
Though only singles were released in the 70s she stayed active until the present day.
Ik Doe Wat Ik Doe
Astrid Nijgh Lyrics
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en warm maar eerst je handen
Want kouwe jatten aan m'n lijf,
daar ril ik van.
Het lijkt wel winter,
'k heb de kachel laten branden.
Die regen he, daar vind ik ook niks an,
Dan leg je d'r gewoon een meijer bij.
Wees maar gerust, ik ben niet als die wijven,
die veel beloven en niks doen, da's niks voor mij.
Ik doe wat ik doe,
en vraag niet waarom.
Ik doe wat ik doe,
en misschien is dat dom.
Maar ik vraag toch ook niet aan jou,
waarom jij 't hier doet, en niet bij je vrouw.
Ach kom nou,
we doen wat we doen.
Nee 't is niet druk,
je bent vandaag de tweede.
Ach het einde van de maand he,
altijd stil.
Nou ja, ik ben vandaag al weer tevreden,
vooral wanneer je nog wat extra's wil.
Wat doen we,
op z'n Frans of plaatjes kijken?
Toe wees eens tof,
of heb je al niets meer?
Nou ja vooruit,
wat kan het me ook schelen?
Toe, kom maar hier, en geniet not maar een keer!
Ik doe wat ik doe,
en vraag niet waarom.
Ik doe wat ik doe,
en misschien is dat dom.
Maar ik vraag toch ook niet aan jou,
waarom jij 't hier doet, en niet bij je vrouw.
Ach kom nou,
we doen wat we doen.
Ach kom nou,
we doen wat we doen.
The song "Ik doe wat ik doe" by Astrid Nijgh is a narrative about a woman who is a sex worker, and it highlights the human side of the profession. The song starts with her inviting a client in from the rain and asking him to warm his hands, indicating that she cares about his comfort. She then breaks the fourth wall, telling him that she is not like other women who promise things and do not deliver - this line could be interpreted both as a reference to her job and as a defense of her character in general. The chorus, "I do what I do and don't ask why, maybe that's dumb, but I don't ask why you're here and not with your wife, we do what we do," underscores the idea that everyone has their own reasons for the choices they make, and it's not up to anyone else to judge.
The second verse echoes the first, with the woman asking the client if he wants to do something different this time - "on his French" (perhaps drink wine) or "look at pictures" (perhaps porn) - indicating that she is open to his suggestions and wants to make him happy. She even asks if he wants some extra time or attention, going above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak. The song ends with the two of them enjoying each other's company and the woman telling him to come back soon.
Overall, the song is a poignant examination of a taboo topic, showing that sex work is not just a job but a complex interaction between two people. It portrays the woman as someone who is in control of her own life and choices, and not a victim of circumstance. The song was controversial when it first came out, but it has since been recognized as a powerful statement about feminism, autonomy, and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Nou doe je jas uit, en warm maar eerst je handen
Take off your coat and warm your hands first, to avoid me feeling cold from your freezing touch on my body.
Het lijkt wel winter, 'k heb de kachel laten branden.
It feels like winter, so I have turned on the heater to stay warm.
Die regen he, daar vind ik ook niks an,
I don't like the rain either, you know.
zeg wees eens lief, ken je niet effe langer blijven.
Please be kind, can't you stay a little longer with me?
Dan leg je d'r gewoon een meijer bij.
Then you can just leave some money for me before you go.
Wees maar gerust, ik ben niet als die wijven, die veel beloven en niks doen, da's niks voor mij.
Don't worry, I am not like those women who make empty promises and never follow through. That's not my style.
Ik doe wat ik doe, en vraag niet waarom.
I do what I do, without questioning myself.
Ik doe wat ik doe, en misschien is dat dom.
I do what I do, and maybe it's not the smartest thing.
Maar ik vraag toch ook niet aan jou, waarom jij 't hier doet, en niet bij je vrouw.
But I don't ask you why you're here with me, instead of being with your wife.
Ach kom nou, we doen wat we doen.
Oh come on, we just do what we do.
Nee 't is niet druk, je bent vandaag de tweede.
No, it's not busy. You're the second customer today.
Ach het einde van de maand he, altijd stil.
It's always quiet at the end of the month.
Nou ja, ik ben vandaag al weer tevreden, vooral wanneer je nog wat extra's wil.
Well, I'm already satisfied today, especially if you want to give me some extra money.
Wat doen we, op z'n Frans of plaatjes kijken?
What should we do, watch some French movies or listen to some music?
Toe wees eens tof, of heb je al niets meer?
Come on, be cool. Or do you not have any money left?
Nou ja vooruit, wat kan het me ook schelen?
Well, whatever. I don't really care.
Toe, kom maar hier, en geniet not maar een keer!
Come over here and enjoy yourself one more time!
Contributed by Olivia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.