De Groot's most famous songs include Avond, Welterusten mijnheer de President, Het Land van Maas en Waal and Jimmy.
Boudewijn de Groot was born in a Japanese concentration camp in 1944. His mother died here in 1945. The family returned to The Netherlands in 1946. He first reached the music charts in 1965 with his song Meisje Van 16.
In these early years, De Groot was a Dutch equivalent of Jacques Brel; his songs were, lushly orchestrated 'chansons'. In the late 1960s he adopted more of a singer-songwriter style and his album, Picknick (1967) is a psychedelic sixties gem, generally regarded as one of the best Dutch albums ever.
Boudewijn de Groot recorded twelve studio albums in total and also released many live albums and compilations. Lennaert Nijgh wrote the lyrics for the majority of De Groot's work. Even after Nijgh's death in 2002, De Groot continued to use unfinished Nijgh lyrics on several songs on 2007's Lage Landen.
In 2005, De Groot's Avond (originally written in 1973, released in 1996) suddenly topped Holland's immensely popular Top 2000 end-of-year song chart on Radio 2, much to the surprise of De Groot, who reckons it's "not even my best song, let alone the best song of all time".
Boudewijn de Groot toured Dutch theatres for years and years on end, but decided to stop doing so in 2014, the year of his 70th birthday. He feels well and is in great shape, but doesn't want to play his hit songs night after night. He announced that he would continue to record and release music, but would only do the occasional live performance. 2015 saw the release of Achter Glas, his 12th studio album.
September 2016 saw him embark on a theatre tour under the moniker Vreemde Kostgangers, a collaboration with his long time friends and fellow legendary Dutch songwriters, George Kooymans (of Golden Earring) and Henny Vrienten.
Ik Zal Je Iets Vertellen
Boudewijn de Groot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
voor we slapen gaan.
Ik was vandaag de hele dag aan het werk.
Ik had vandaag geen tijd voor jou,
ik ben kortaf geweest.
Maar er waren zoveel vragen
en zoekend naar een antwoord
Ik heb zoveel gezien
dat ik nu in het donker
mijn ogen niet kan sluiten.
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
voor we slapen gaan.
Ik zal je iets vertellen
voor we slapen gaan.
Ik kwam vandaag tot niets,
ik heb niets gedaan.
Ik ben zoveel van plan geweest
maar ik weet niet meer waarom.
Want als je na gaat denken
en je zorgen maakt om anderen,
zullen anderen je voorbij gaan.
En ik heb te veel gezien,
ik had mijn ogen open
en ik kan ze niet meer sluiten.
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
voor we slapen gaan.
Ik zal je iets vertellen
voor we slapen gaan.
Ik weet, ik heb me veel te druk gemaakt.
Misschien dat ik vergeten wou
dat ik zo eenzaam ben.
Dat wou ik je vertellen
voor we slapen gaan:
dat ik je nodig heb.
The song "Ik Zal Je Iets Vertellen" by Boudewijn de Groot talks about the struggles of balancing life and relationships. The singer, who is likely in a romantic relationship, acknowledges that they have been distant lately due to work-related issues. They admit to being short and distant with their partner, which highlights their struggle with communication. The reason for being distant is that they have been consumed with questions and have been searching for answers to those questions. The singer admits to creating problems because they couldn't find any clear or satisfactory answers. It has caused the singer to have trouble sleeping and they address their partner before they go to sleep.
In the second verse, the singer tells a similar story but with a different issue: the struggle of living up to one's own expectations. The singer had a lot of plans but couldn't seem to accomplish any of them. They admit to worrying about others' well-being rather than taking care of their own tasks. This behavior has resulted in them feeling overwhelmed and unable to ignore what they have seen. The singer admits that they have opened their eyes to things that they can't unsee, and this realization has left them feeling troubled. Once again, the singer addresses their partner before they go to sleep.
In the final verse, the singer admits that they have been too busy lately and that they miss their partner. They realize that their behavior could be a result of their own loneliness, which reinforces the idea that their communication and behavior issues stem from personal traumas. The singer addresses their partner directly and tells them that they need them.
Overall, "Ik Zal Je Iets Vertellen" is about the complexities of maintaining successful relationships while dealing with life's challenges. The song highlights the importance of communication and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Ik zal je iets vertellen
I want to share something with you
voor we slapen gaan.
before we go to bed
Ik was vandaag de hele dag aan het werk.
I was working all day today
Ik had vandaag geen tijd voor jou,
I didn't have time for you today
ik ben kortaf geweest.
I may have been curt with you
Maar er waren zoveel vragen
But I had so many questions
en zoekend naar een antwoord
and searching for answers
schiep ik weer problemen.
I ended up creating more problems
Ik heb zoveel gezien
I've seen so much
dat ik nu in het donker
that now, in the dark
mijn ogen niet kan sluiten.
I can't close my eyes
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
But I want to tell you something
Ik kwam vandaag tot niets,
I didn't accomplish anything today
ik heb niets gedaan.
I didn't do anything
Ik ben zoveel van plan geweest
I had so many plans
maar ik weet niet meer waarom.
but now I don't know why
Want als je na gaat denken
Because if you start thinking
en je zorgen maakt om anderen,
and worry about others
zullen anderen je voorbij gaan.
others will leave you behind
En ik heb te veel gezien,
And I've seen too much
ik had mijn ogen open
I had my eyes open
en ik kan ze niet meer sluiten.
And now I can't close them
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
But I want to tell you something
Ik weet, ik heb me veel te druk gemaakt.
I know, I've been too busy
Misschien dat ik vergeten wou
Perhaps I wanted to forget
dat ik zo eenzaam ben.
that I'm so lonely
Dat wou ik je vertellen
That's what I wanted to tell you
voor we slapen gaan:
before we go to bed:
dat ik je nodig heb.
that I need you
Contributed by Andrew S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kleermaker1000
De tekst in het Nederlands - A letra em português - The lyrics in English:
Ik zal je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik was vandaag de hele dag aan het werk
Ik had vandaag geen tijd voor jou
Ik ben kortaf geweest
Maar er waren zoveel vragen
En zoekend naar een antwoord
Schiep ik weer problemen
Ik heb zoveel gezien
Dat ik nu in het donker
Mijn ogen niet kan sluiten
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik zal je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik kwam vandaag tot niets
Ik heb niets gedaan
Ik ben zoveel van plan geweest
Maar ik weet niet meer waarom
Want als je na gaat denken
En je zorgen maakt om anderen
Zullen anderen je voorbij gaan
En ik heb te veel gezien
Ik had mijn ogen open
En ik kan ze niet meer sluiten
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik zal je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik weet, ik heb me veel te druk gemaakt
Misschien dat ik vergeten wou
Dat ik zo eenzaam ben
Dat wou ik je vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Dat ik je nodig heb
-----------------------------
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Hoje passei o dia inteiro a trabalhar
Hoje não tive tempo para ti
Estive brusco
Mas houve tantas perguntas
E procurando por uma resposta
Criei novos problemas
Vi tanto
Que agora no escuro
Não consigo fechar os olhos
Mas eu ia dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Não cheguei a nada hoje
Não fiz nada
Tinha decidido fazer tanto
Mas já não sei porquê
Porque quando vais pensar
E te preocupar com os outros
Os outros vão ultrapassar-te
E vi demais
Mantive os olhos abertos
E já não consigo fechá-los
Mas eu ia dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Eu sei, esforcei-me demais
Se calhar queria esquecer-me
De que sou tão solitário
Era isso que eu te queria dizer
Antes de irmos dormir
Que preciso de ti
----------------------------------
I will tell you something
I will tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I was working whole day long
I didn’t have time for you today
I have been blunt
But there were so many questions
And seeking for an answer
I created new problems
I have seen so much
That now, in the dark,
I cannot close my eyes
But I would tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I will tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I didn’t achieve anything today
I haven’t done anything
I had been planning so much
But I don’t know why anymore
Because when you start thinking
And worrying about others
Others will pass you by
And I have seen too much
I had my eyes open
And I cannot close them anymore
But I would tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I will tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I know, I have pushed myself too hard
Maybe I wanted to forget
That I am so lonely
This is what I wanted to tell you
Before we are going to sleep
That I need you
Marion Guichelaar
ontroerend mooi!! hoop dat Boudewijn het ook zingt tijdens zijn afscheids concerten dit jaar!
kleermaker1000
Hier zingt Boudewijn Lennaert, zo groots. Wat een tekst en wat een muziek. Ik denk toch het meest ontroerende lied van beiden en zelfs van het hele Nederlandstalige repertoire (al moet ik bekennen dat ik daarvan geen kenner ben).
kleermaker1000
De tekst in het Nederlands - A letra em português - The lyrics in English:
Ik zal je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik was vandaag de hele dag aan het werk
Ik had vandaag geen tijd voor jou
Ik ben kortaf geweest
Maar er waren zoveel vragen
En zoekend naar een antwoord
Schiep ik weer problemen
Ik heb zoveel gezien
Dat ik nu in het donker
Mijn ogen niet kan sluiten
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik zal je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik kwam vandaag tot niets
Ik heb niets gedaan
Ik ben zoveel van plan geweest
Maar ik weet niet meer waarom
Want als je na gaat denken
En je zorgen maakt om anderen
Zullen anderen je voorbij gaan
En ik heb te veel gezien
Ik had mijn ogen open
En ik kan ze niet meer sluiten
Maar ik zou je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik zal je iets vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Ik weet, ik heb me veel te druk gemaakt
Misschien dat ik vergeten wou
Dat ik zo eenzaam ben
Dat wou ik je vertellen
Voor we slapen gaan
Dat ik je nodig heb
-----------------------------
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Hoje passei o dia inteiro a trabalhar
Hoje não tive tempo para ti
Estive brusco
Mas houve tantas perguntas
E procurando por uma resposta
Criei novos problemas
Vi tanto
Que agora no escuro
Não consigo fechar os olhos
Mas eu ia dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Não cheguei a nada hoje
Não fiz nada
Tinha decidido fazer tanto
Mas já não sei porquê
Porque quando vais pensar
E te preocupar com os outros
Os outros vão ultrapassar-te
E vi demais
Mantive os olhos abertos
E já não consigo fechá-los
Mas eu ia dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Vou dizer-te uma coisa
Antes de irmos dormir
Eu sei, esforcei-me demais
Se calhar queria esquecer-me
De que sou tão solitário
Era isso que eu te queria dizer
Antes de irmos dormir
Que preciso de ti
----------------------------------
I will tell you something
I will tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I was working whole day long
I didn’t have time for you today
I have been blunt
But there were so many questions
And seeking for an answer
I created new problems
I have seen so much
That now, in the dark,
I cannot close my eyes
But I would tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I will tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I didn’t achieve anything today
I haven’t done anything
I had been planning so much
But I don’t know why anymore
Because when you start thinking
And worrying about others
Others will pass you by
And I have seen too much
I had my eyes open
And I cannot close them anymore
But I would tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I will tell you something
Before we are going to sleep
I know, I have pushed myself too hard
Maybe I wanted to forget
That I am so lonely
This is what I wanted to tell you
Before we are going to sleep
That I need you
Marion Guichelaar
Fijn dat je ook nog kaartjes hebt kunnen krijgen, valt niet tegen!! Zeker niet omdat het concert in haarlem zijn laatste is he! Ik heb ook kaartjes voor zaterdag 25/5. zit op de 13 e( oefs hi hi) rij. We moeten nog wel even geduld hebben, maar 25 nov ga ik naar Utrecht, dat schiet al op! groetjes Marion
Veerle Noels
fijn, heb lang naar deze tekst gezocht !
M Kuhn
Hallo Friedje, k,Heb dit nummer nog nooit gehoord. Nu wel . Heel erg bedankt, en, t filmpje is ook geweldig, x
Sam Verbergen
mooi gedaan
M Kuhn
M,n geboortestad... , die eerste. t,Zal flink emo worden, denk ik zo.... De tranen schieten nu al in m,n ogen. Zoveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel jaar ! k,Was bij het laatste concert van Tina Turner. Toen kwam ze toch nog eens terug... !
Connie tubée
ach wat mooi toch.......
Marion Guichelaar
hoi friedje. Heb je al ontdekt waar Boudewijn optreedt en is het gelukt om kaartjes te krijgen??? Ik ga in ieder geval naar concerten van hem in Rotterdam, utrecht en haarlem, dat wordt dus genieten!! Hj was mijn iool vroeger, had plakboeken vanhem etc. Dus bij zijn afscheidstoernee moet ik bijzijn he!! hi hi groetjes Marin