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).
sound of a heartbreak
Bertolf Lyrics
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Wouldn't dare to win or lose, you stayed right where you are.
You always stepped between the cracks and found your way back home.
But now you've reached the stony ground, you'll have to walk alone.
You're lost, this time, and everything has changed.
From blue to gray, can't find your way.
Now you know the sound of a heartbreak.
Now you've tasted the pouring rain.
Now you know the reason the wind cries.
You've seen the day in the harsh light.
You're waking up and all the world has changed.
You were so safe, so far from trouble, but then the bubble burst.
And now your hopes and expectations are buried in the dirt.
You're lost, this time, and everything has changed.
From blue to gray, can't find your way.
Now you know the sound of a heartbreak.
Now you're staring up at the wrong face.
Now you've tasted the pouring rain.
Now you know the reason the wind cries.
You've seen the day in the harsh light.
You're waking up and all the world has changed.
Once you walked the straight and narrow, never left the path.
But then fate turned you over, like a turtle on it's back.
Now you know the sound of a heartbreak.
Now you're staring up at the wrong face.
Now you've tasted the pouring rain.
Now you know the reason the wind cries.
You've seen the day in the harsh light.
You're waking up and all the world has changed.
You're waking up and all the world has changed.
You're waking up and all the world has changed
The lyrics to Bertolf's “Sound of a Heartbreak" tell a story of someone who thought they had everything figured out, but eventually faced a heartbreak that completely upended their life. The opening lines suggest that the person had been cautious and careful, never venturing too far from safety. They were content to stay where they were, even if it meant avoiding both victories and defeats. However, this changed when they found themselves on "stony ground" and had to walk alone.
The chorus of the song focuses on the aftermath of the heartbreak. The person has experienced emotions and situations they never thought they would encounter. They are no longer looking at familiar faces, and everything is different. They can hear the sound of a heartbreak, and they know how it feels to taste the pouring rain. The wind cries for a reason, and they've seen the world in a harsh light. The second verse speaks to their prior sense of safety and how it was punctured when the "bubble burst" and shattered their hopes and expectations. The ending lines return to the chorus and emphasize the changing world around them.
Overall, the song provides a poignant reflection on the experience of heartbreak and the way it can fundamentally alter one's view of the world. It suggests that even those who think they have everything under control can be caught off guard and forced to navigate new experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
You thought you had it figured out, you never fell too far.
You believed you had things under control, never taking any risks.
Wouldn't dare to win or lose, you stayed right where you are.
You were afraid to take chances, so you remained stagnant.
You always stepped between the cracks and found your way back home.
You were able to navigate through difficult situations and return to your comfort zone.
But now you've reached the stony ground, you'll have to walk alone.
You have encountered an obstacle that you can't overcome easily and must face it alone.
You're lost, this time, and everything has changed.
You are disoriented and the situation is vastly different from what you experienced before.
From blue to gray, can't find your way.
Your emotional state has shifted from happiness to sadness, and you are struggling to handle it.
Now you know the sound of a heartbreak.
You have experienced the pain of a failed relationship or disappointment.
Now you're staring up at the wrong face.
You are facing a situation where you are misplaced or misled.
Now you've tasted the pouring rain.
You have experienced a difficult and unpleasant situation.
Now you know the reason the wind cries.
You understand the cause of sorrow and grief for some people.
You've seen the day in the harsh light.
You have come to terms with reality and seen it in a different, possibly painful manner.
You're waking up and all the world has changed.
You are realizing that you are in a new, different reality that you must adapt to.
You were so safe, so far from trouble, but then the bubble burst.
You were living in a protected, safe environment, but then a sudden incident caused this bubble to break.
And now your hopes and expectations are buried in the dirt.
Your aspirations and dreams have been crushed and thrown away like worthless objects.
Once you walked the straight and narrow, never left the path.
You used to choose the safe and reliable route without taking many risks.
But then fate turned you over, like a turtle on it's back.
An unexpected event or circumstance suddenly left you vulnerable and helpless.
Lyrics © Red Brick Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERTOLF LENTINK, JEZ ASHURST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind