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).
my loneliness
Bertolf Lyrics
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Isolation cell
It's my self made hell
Oh, I'll never stop, locking myself up
With my burning crop
And these walls, they're closing me in
Don't know how to escape from my loneliness, my loneliness
And these stupid dreams, I don't know what they mean
They're such a mean machine
Oohh
And these walls, they're closing me in
Ain't no sun that is burning my skin
Don't know how to escape from my loneliness
And the ceiling, it's hurting my head
And these shadows are driving me mad
Tell me how to escape from my loneliness
Oohh
And these walls, they're closing me in
Ain't no sun that is burning my skin
Don't know how to escape from my loneliness
And the ceiling, it's hurting my head
And these shadows are driving me mad
Tell me how to escape from my loneliness, my loneliness
My loneliness
My loneliness
The lyrics to Bertolf's song "My Loneliness" paints a vivid picture of the feeling of being trapped and alone. The first verse uses powerful imagery to depict the singer's feelings of being confined and hopeless. The bottomless wishing well could represent the singer's endless desires and wants that are never fulfilled, leading to a feeling of emptiness and isolation. The isolation cell and self-made hell reflect the singer's state of being trapped and unable to escape their mental and emotional turmoil.
The second verse continues to describe the singer's feeling of being trapped within themselves, unable to escape their own thoughts despite their best efforts. The burning crop could represent the singer's desire for change and growth, but no matter how hard they try, they are still stuck in their loneliness. The chorus repeats the image of being trapped and unable to break free from the walls and ceiling that are closing in on them. The shadows that are driving them mad could represent the singer's fears, doubts, and insecurities that haunt them in their solitary state.
Overall, "My Loneliness" is a poignant portrayal of the feeling of being trapped within oneself and unable to escape the loneliness that consumes them. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and working through our emotions rather than trying to suppress them.
Line by Line Meaning
Bottomless wishing well
I have an insatiable desire for something more, but it feels like an endless pit that I can't fill
Isolation cell
I feel trapped and alone, as if I'm in a prison cell
It's my self made hell
This isolation is my own doing and it has become unbearable
Oh, I'll never stop, locking myself up
I can't stop myself from continuing to isolate and cut myself off from others
With my burning crop
Even in my isolation, I can't escape the pain and suffering that I carry inside of me
And these walls, they're closing me in
I feel suffocated and confined by my isolation, like the room I'm in is getting smaller and smaller
Ain't no sun that is burning my skin
I'm not experiencing anything positive in my life, no warmth or light to counteract the darkness I feel inside
Don't know how to escape from my loneliness, my loneliness
I don't know how to break free from this cycle of isolation and pain
And these stupid dreams, I don't know what they mean
Even in my sleep, I can't escape the confusion and chaos in my mind
They're such a mean machine
My dreams are tormenting me, dragging me deeper into my own personal hell
And the ceiling, it's hurting my head
I feel like a weight is constantly pressing down on me, even from above
And these shadows are driving me mad
The darkness around me feels like it's taking on a life of its own, driving me to the brink of insanity
Tell me how to escape from my loneliness
I'm desperate for a way out of this cycle of pain and suffering
My loneliness
This feeling of isolation and despair is consuming everything else in my life
My loneliness
It's mine alone to shoulder, and there's no one there to help me carry the weight
Contributed by Abigail B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.