Vrienden Van Het Eerste Uur
Astrid Nijgh Lyrics

The lyrics of Astrid Nijgh's song, "Vrienden Van Het Eerste Uur" (Friends From the First Hour), describe the nature of friendship and the thin line that separates hospitality from loneliness. The singer portrays herself as a friend who is always available to those who need a helping hand, even lending them her house as a refuge. However, she realizes that these friends who enjoy her generosity do not truly understand her deepest struggles of loneliness, and they are just there for the good times. As the night wears on, the singer starts to feel fed up with her friends' constant chatter and decides to let them go, urging them to return to their lives outside. She even contemplates living in isolation in a tower, emphasizing her feelings of loneliness.

Overall, the lyrics of "Vrienden Van Het Eerste Uur" reflect a common human experience, where it's often challenging to differentiate between true friendship and casual acquaintanceship. It paints a picture of a woman who is generous with her time, resources, and space, but longs for deeper connections with her friends. The lyrics' reflective, melancholic tone suggests that friendship can be a fragile thing and that the foundation of true friendship is being there for each other through thick and thin, not just during the "good times."

* Interestingly, the song's lyrics were penned by Lennaert Nijgh, Astrid Nijgh's former husband, who was also responsible for the lyrics of some of the Netherlands' most beloved songs, including Boudewijn De Groot's "Testament" and "Avond."
* "Vrienden Van Het Eerste Uur" was released in 1973 as a single and reached #7 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.
* The song was also featured on Astrid Nijgh's 1974 album titled "Mensen Zijn Je Beste Vrienden."
* The song's title, "Vrienden Van Het Eerste Uur," translates to "Friends from the First Hour" in English.
* The song has been covered by several Dutch artists, including Ramses Shaffy and Mathilde Santing.
* Astrid Nijgh has mostly retired from the music industry but occasionally performs at live shows and festivals.
* Lennaert Nijgh, the songwriter of the song, passed away in 2002 due to lung cancer.
* The song's melody was composed by Boudewijn De Groot, one of the Netherlands' most celebrated musicians, who was also Lennaert Nijgh's good friend and collaborator.
* The song's lyrics have been the subject of several literary analyses, notably for its portrayal of the blurred line between hospitality and loneliness in human relationships.
* The song's popularity has endured over the years, with its lyrics and melody still celebrated as a poignant and relatable exploration of friendship.

Chords:
The chord progression of the song is Am, G, F, E, Am, G, F, E, Am, G, F, E, Am, G, F, E. However, some verses are played using slightly different chords.