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).
cut me loose
Bertolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes no sense to me and what am I to do
You robbed me of my innocence
Reached out your hands to me so what am I to you
You made me weak, you made it real
You cut me loose so I could feel
You made me weak, you made it real
I was so young, so unaware
Like I was blind, there was so much I couldn't see
I played it hard, I hid away
Let down my guards for you till I was really me
You made me weak, you made it real
You cut me loose so I could feel
You made me weak, you made it real
You cut me loose so I could
You cut me loose so I could feel
You cut me loose so I could
You cut me loose so I could
You cut me loose so I could
You cut me loose so I could feel
Feel, feel, feel
You made me weak, you made it real
You cut me loose so I could feel
You made me weak, you made it real
You cut me loose so I could
You cut me loose so I could
You cut me loose so I could feel
Bertolf's "Cut Me Loose" is a song that describes a feeling of vulnerability and the process of rebuilding oneself after facing difficult experiences. The opening lyrics, "Swollen world, melts away, it makes no sense to me and what am I to do," suggest a feeling of confusion and powerlessness in the face of the overwhelming trials of life. The loss of innocence is also addressed in the line, "You robbed me of my innocence, reached out your hands to me so what am I to you," which speaks to betrayal and the taking advantage of trust.
The singer then reflects on the process of healing, describing the experience of feeling weak and vulnerable as necessary for moving forward. The lines, "You made me weak, you made it real, you cut me loose so I could feel," suggest that the singer has been stripped of their protective layers and exposed to their true emotions. This vulnerability is necessary for growth and healing to take place.
Line by Line Meaning
Swollen world, melts away
The overwhelming and confusing nature of the world fades away.
It makes no sense to me and what am I to do
The singer is lost and unsure of what to do with this new perspective.
You robbed me of my innocence
The singer experienced a loss of naivety in the situation.
Reached out your hands to me so what am I to you
The singer is questioning the other person's intentions.
You made me weak, you made it real
The other person's actions had a strong effect on the singer.
You cut me loose so I could feel
The other person's actions allowed the singer to feel something.
I was so young, so unaware
The singer was inexperienced and didn't know what to expect.
Like I was blind, there was so much I couldn't see
The singer was unaware of the true intentions of the other person.
I played it hard, I hid away
The singer initially tried to protect themselves from getting hurt.
Let down my guards for you till I was really me
The singer eventually opened up and revealed their true self to the other person.
You cut me loose so I could
The other person's actions allowed the singer to experience something new.
You cut me loose so I could feel
The other person's actions allowed the singer to feel something intense.
Feel, feel, feel
The singer's emotions are the focus of the song.
You made me weak, you made it real
The other person's actions had a powerful effect on the singer.
You cut me loose so I could feel
The other person's actions allowed the singer to feel something intense.
You cut me loose so I could
The other person's actions allowed the singer to experience something new.
You cut me loose so I could feel
The other person's actions allowed the singer to feel something intense.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BERTOLF LENTINK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Naomi
Dit nummer gaan we nog vaak horen, echt super! <3
jacqueline blessing
Ik blijf het een heerlijke song vinden!!! Te weinig te horen geweest op de radio!!! Naar mijn mening.
Jeroen H
ik ben vorige week naar een concert van bertolf geweest, en zoals in de discriptie staat zijn ze bijna net als muse wat natuurlijk een geweldigcompliment is (althans voor de meesten)
Jurrit Kuiken
Heeeeerlijk nummertje! <3
Oldiesfan1958
Waar we het met zijn allen over eens zijn is dat Bertolf vreselijk ondergewaardeerd wordt . Soms helpt het als je je muziek vrienden op hem wijst . Ik heb velen voor hem kunnen interesseren inmiddels . Hij verdient het !!!!!!!!!!1
FRANK BLUEKA
Super goede song! Love it! Great finishing after 2.22 min.!! Peace AP/ Frank Blueka
Maurice Tempel
Ik heb weinig met Nederlandse artiesten, maar wat is dít onwijs goed!! Het zou ook zomaar een nieuwe soundtrack van James Bond kunnen wezen. En, inderdaad, een beetje Radiohead, vleugje Smashing Pumpkins door de wisselende ritmes en melodielijn. Kortom, erg fijn nummer! Hulde!
John Romkes
Helemaal te gek dit! Lekker hoor, dat dit gewoon in NL rondloopt :-)
BlazingLadyy
Heel erg fijn nummer!
Evelien Mellendijk
niet een van z'n charmantste foto's maar WAT EEN PLAAT!!!! as i expected van Bertolf, hij heeft een gewldige bijzondere stem