Benny began his singing career at the end of World War II when he started performing regularly at a café in Sint-Niklaas. By the early 1950s, he had regular spots on radio, and released his first album, Mijn haart spreekt tot u (My Heart Speaks to You). In 1957, he had his first hit single with "Cindy, Oh Cindy", which reached #2 on the Belgian chart.
In 1959, Benny was chosen, with the song "Hou toch van mij" ("Do Love Me"), as the Belgian representative in the fourth Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 11 March in Cannes, France. "Hou toch van mij" received votes from five of the other 10 participating countries and finished in sixth place.
In 1961, Benny was again selected to represent Belgium, with the song "September, gouden roos" ("September, Golden Rose"), in the sixth Eurovision, which again was held in Cannes, on 18 March. Although the contest had now expanded to 16 participants, "September, gouden roos" only managed to pick up one point from Luxembourg, consigning Benny to a joint last-place finish with Austria's Jimmy Makulis.
Benny had two further hit singles in 1963, "Waar en wanneer" (#3) and "Alleen door jou" (#5). He became a musical theatre performer and played in many long-running shows in Belgium and Germany.
In 2001, Benny suffered a stroke and fell into financial difficulties. A benefit concert on his behalf took place in Antwerp in April 2003, featuring the music of Richard Rodgers performed by well-known Flemish artists. In 2006, Benny celebrated his 80th birthday and claimed he was back to full health.
Alleen Door Jou
Bob Benny Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alleen voor jou, alleen voor jou
Mijn hart is zo fier als een pauw
Alleen door jou, alleen door jou
Ik maak in je armen de reis
Naar 't verre geluksparadijs
Mijn leven is nou
In "Alleen Door Jou," Bob Benny sings of the intense love and devotion he feels for his significant other. He repeats the phrase "alleen voor jou," meaning "only for you," throughout the song as an expression of his commitment. Benny also uses a metaphor by comparing his heart to that of a proud peacock, emphasizing the strength of his love. The lyrics express a desire to be with his loved one and journey together to a place of happiness, or the "verre geluksparadijs." Benny's singing style is emotive and passionate, underscoring the intensity of his feelings.
This song can be seen as a classic love song that captures the emotions experienced by individuals when in a committed relationship. It is a display of love, loyalty, and respect that resonates with many, making it a favorite among individuals who cherish the beauty of love. Bob Benny's vocal ability, combined with the simple but effective instrumentals of the song, contribute to its timeless appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
Mijn hart zingt van liefde en trouw
My heart sings with love and loyalty
Alleen voor jou, alleen voor jou
Only for you, only for you
Mijn hart is zo fier als een pauw
My heart is as proud as a peacock
Alleen door jou, alleen door jou
Only because of you, only because of you
Ik maak in je armen de reis
I take the journey in your arms
Naar 't verre geluksparadijs
To the distant paradise of happiness
Mijn leven is een feest
My life is a party
Alleen met jou, alleen met jou
Only with you, only with you
Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.