Before he started his solo career, he was in indie rock band The Junes, and he was in the band of the popular Dutch singer Ilse deLange.
Signed to the 8Ball record label, Bertolf released his first album For Life in early 2009, followed the next year by Snakes And Ladders. 2012 saw the release of the epnymous Bertolf album. 2015's First & Then was his final album for 8Ball.
Between 2014 and 2018 a large chunk of Bertolf's time was devoted to touring as a member of the tribute band, Her Majesty. Named after the closing track of The Beatles' Abbey Road album, they especially gained prominence when they started performing the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (and other artists from their scene), to rave reviews in the Dutch press.
In the mean time, Bertolf signed with Excelsior Recordings, where his fifth and sixth solo albums were issued: the somewhat gloomy Big Shadows of Small Things (2019) and the very sunny, colorful, upbeat and particularly well-received Happy in Hindsight (2021).
Before The Storm
Bertolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried to talk me into giving up this fight
Devil disappeared with
the broad daylight, now
One December morning
I heard angels singing in my mind
Tellin' me everything'll be alright
tryin' to shed some light, now
One December morning
Help me out, my darlin'
Haven't held out my hand
since I don't know when
Talk me down before this
Storm picks up again
I've been let down, every time I tried
Just to make it over to the other side
I've been hurt now, so many times
I should have heard the warning
Well, we stumbled upon this storyline
That set us up to fall from
such a perfect high
Won't you save me and stand by my side
Won't you help me, help me,
help me to go on
Help me out, my darlin'
Haven't held out my hand
since I don't know when
Talk me down before this
Storm picks up again
Help me out this morning
I've been lookin' for a lover
when I needed a friend
Talk me down before this
Storm picks up again
Well, I run and I run
but running ain't good enough now
And I've sung every song
but the voices are drowning me out
The lyrics of Bertolf's song "Before The Storm" convey a sense of struggle, resilience, and the need for support during difficult times. The song's protagonist recounts a late-night encounter with the devil, who tries to convince them to give up the fight. However, with the arrival of daylight, the devil vanishes. Then, on a December morning, the singer hears angels singing in their mind, bringing reassurance and hope. They plead for their loved one to help them, as they haven't reached out for support in a long time. They ask to be talked down before the storm of their emotions and hardships intensifies.
The lyrics also reflect on the singer's past experiences of being let down and hurt. They have tried to overcome their difficulties and move forward, but each attempt has led to disappointment. They acknowledge that they should have heeded the warning signs. They describe stumbling upon a storyline that set them up for a fall from a state of happiness and fulfillment. They express a plea for someone to save them and stand by their side, to help them continue on despite feeling overwhelmed. The song ends with a reflection on the singer's efforts to escape their burdens, but feeling overwhelmed by the noise of their own thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
Devil came calling on me late one night
I faced a temptation that challenged my resolve
Tried to talk me into giving up this fight
It attempted to convince me to abandon my struggle
Devil disappeared with the broad daylight, now
The temptation vanished when morning arrived
One December morning
On a specific winter day
I heard angels singing in my mind
I experienced a comforting inner guidance
Tellin' me everything'll be alright
Assuring me that all will be well
Tryin' to calm me down, tryin' to shed some light, now
Attempting to soothe and enlighten me
Help me out, my darlin'
Assist me, my dear
Haven't held out my hand since I don't know when
I haven't asked for help in a long time
Talk me down before this Storm picks up again
Guide me through the challenging times ahead
I've been let down, every time I tried
I have experienced disappointment in all my attempts
Just to make it over to the other side
To reach a better place or situation
I've been hurt now, so many times
I have been wounded on numerous occasions
I should have heard the warning
I should have been attentive to the signs
Well, we stumbled upon this storyline
We found ourselves in this particular sequence of events
That set us up to fall from such a perfect high
It led us to a sudden downfall from a state of bliss
Won't you save me and stand by my side
Please rescue me and be there for me
Won't you help me, help me, help me to go on
Assist me in finding the strength to continue
Help me out, my darlin'
Assist me, my dear
Haven't held out my hand since I don't know when
I haven't asked for help in a long time
Talk me down before this Storm picks up again
Guide me through the challenging times ahead
Help me out this morning
Assist me in starting the day
I've been lookin' for a lover when I needed a friend
I searched for romantic companionship instead of support
Talk me down before this Storm picks up again
Guide me through the challenging times ahead
Well, I run and I run but running ain't good enough now
I have been fleeing and striving, but it's not sufficient anymore
And I've sung every song but the voices are drowning me out
I have expressed myself, but external influences overpower me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERTOLF LENTINK, ILSE A DE LANGE, MATTHEW CROSBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrian Whyte
This is awesome- I came here from fellowship of acoustic too, and I’m glad to hear this song! You’ve made a new fan that’s for sure!!
marco polo
Loved it, and it isn't even what I would normally listen to. Very well felt by everyone, and very well done....
HorizonScanner
Enjoyable tune! Very well done... and well-recorded on board the Cultuurschip Thor.
Piet Koeman
Geweldig !
karin Raggers-den Ouden
Erg mooi ❤
Jos Zandstra
This is what I call nice music
Sándor Beckers
Die bassiste / zangeres was er een tijdje geleden ook bij in Amstelveen toch? Een absoluut geweldige additie!
GaitnTwinniks
Prachtig ❤
Javier García González
Calidad suprema!
Cor Groot
Wat mooi!