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).
Everywhere I Go
Bertolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My future's known
There are a lot of things
That are set in stone
I'm on an island
I can't get away
I wish I were someone else
But there's just no point in hiding
I can't run from trouble
I tried changin' but I can't
Can't escape myself
I'll never be no other man
Cause everywhere I go
Yeah, everywhere I go
There I am.
There I am
There I am.
I'm tired of trying
To do what I can't
I finally settled for
The man I am
I've reached for improvement
A better me
But I've already been the best
That I can be
So I won't get too excited
I can't run from trouble
I tried changin' but I can't
Can't escape myself
I'll never be no other man
Cause everywhere I go
Yeah, everywhere I go
There I am.
There I am
There I am.
All the trials along the way
Oh, they did not change my world
And could not change my game
I don't believe in another life
Oh, not even on this earth
Cause I cannot change my ways
I can't run from trouble
I tried changin' but I can't
Can't escape myself
I'll never be no other man
Cause everywhere I go
Yeah, everywhere I go
Oh, everywhere I go
Yeah, now everywhere I go
There I am.
There I am
There I am.
There I am
There I am.
In Bertolf's song "Everywhere I Go," the lyrics signify a person's struggle with self-acceptance and the realization that no matter where they go, they cannot escape themselves. The first verse presents the idea that some aspects of life are predetermined and unchangeable. It emphasizes the feeling of being stuck or trapped, symbolized by the line "I'm on an island, I can't get away."
The lyrics express a longing to be someone else, even if just for a brief moment, indicating a dissatisfaction with oneself. However, the chorus reveals that hiding or running away from these feelings is pointless. The repetition of "there I am" further reinforces the idea that no matter where this person goes, they cannot escape their own identity and who they are.
The second verse touches on the exhaustion of trying to be someone different and the acceptance of oneself as they are. It acknowledges the efforts made to improve, but also highlights that the person has already reached their full potential as "the best that I can be."
The bridge of the song suggests that despite facing trials and challenges in life, they have not significantly altered the person's world or their behavior. It implies a belief that there is no second chance or another life to escape to, emphasizing the acceptance of one's circumstances and the inability to change.
By repeating the chorus at the end of the song, the lyrics emphasize the message that no matter how much the person struggles or tries to change, they will always be faced with themselves wherever they go. It reinforces the idea that self-acceptance and embracing who they are is the key to finding contentment. Ultimately, the lyrics depict an introspective journey towards self-acceptance and the realization that it is essential to embrace oneself rather than attempting to become someone different.
Line by Line Meaning
Not everything's open
Not everything is available or accessible
My future's known
I already know what lies ahead for me
There are a lot of things
There are numerous aspects
That are set in stone
That cannot be changed or altered
I'm on an island
I feel isolated or trapped
I can't get away
I am unable to escape from my current situation
I wish I were someone else
I desire to be a different person
Even for a day
Even for a short period of time
But there's just no point in hiding
There is no benefit in concealing or disguising oneself
I can't run from trouble
I cannot avoid or evade difficulties
I tried changin' but I can't
I attempted to transform myself, but it was not successful
Can't escape myself
I am unable to break free from my own personality or identity
I'll never be no other man
I will never become someone else
Cause everywhere I go
Because no matter where I am
Yeah, everywhere I go
Yes, in every place I visit
There I am.
I am always present
I'm tired of trying
I am weary of making efforts
To do what I can't
To accomplish what is beyond my abilities
I finally settled for
I eventually accepted
The man I am
The person I have become
I've reached for improvement
I have aimed for progress or betterment
A better me
A more advanced version of myself
But I've already been the best
However, I have already achieved the highest level
That I can be
That I am capable of being
So I won't get too excited
Thus, I will not become overly enthusiastic
All the trials along the way
All the challenges encountered during my journey
Oh, they did not change my world
They did not significantly alter my life
And could not change my game
And could not modify or influence my approach
I don't believe in another life
I do not have faith in the existence of another existence or existence after death
Oh, not even on this earth
Not even within this earthly existence
Cause I cannot change my ways
Because I am unable to alter my behavior or habits
Oh, everywhere I go
Oh, no matter where I travel or venture
Yeah, now everywhere I go
Yes, currently in every place I visit
There I am.
I am always present
There I am
I exist in that location
There I am.
I am always present
There I am
I exist in that location
There I am.
I am always present
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bertolf Lentink
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind