Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a… Read Full Bio ↴Coenie de Villiers (Coenraad Grabe de Villiers), born 11 October 1956, is a South African singer/songwriter, pianist, pop artist who sings in his mother tongue, Afrikaans. If any comparison was required, Coenie's music is best compared to the pop/rock of Herbert Groenemeyer (German language) or Billy Joel (USA English language).

Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Coenie was educated at University of the Free State in Bloemfontein majoring in media studies where he later on lectured in the Communications faculty. He has always viewed his musical career as his second vocation. He is also a classically trained pianist. Coenie is the anchor presenter in popular South African kykNET journal program "Kwela".

During the late 1980s, Coenie spent a few years in self-imposed exile in Cyprus. Coenie has also performed in New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

Coenie signed with Mountain Records in 1983, and recorded his debut album, Skoppensboer, working with producer, Patrick Lee-Thorp and engineer, Kevin Shirley, in the same year. He subsequently recorded 4 albums for the label many of which won industry awards. In addition he contributed to label compilations of his work. Since leaving Mountain Records he has recorded a number of one off projects for different labels.

Coenie lived on the island of Cyprus during the eighties and nineties. He wrote, recorded and produced the album Amper Alleen in Cyprus and in Athens, Greece. Amper Alleen was the second SA album to be released on CD. Coenie and his family returned to South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC. He released Hartland, an album which included a vocal performance by Lesley Rae Dowling.

'n Grenshotel is die Lewe
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sy tweedhoed het ‘n veer in
Hy's die baas hier op sy plaas
Bes moontlik op die kerkraad
Met ‘n gesonde bank balans

Hy speel voorry vir die dorpspan en hy ken ‘n mielie deur en deur
Maar as die wolcheck goed lyk kan ‘n snaakste ding gebeur ah hoe

‘n Grenshotel is die lewe
'n Maseru Maman, oe
‘n Knippie hier die kasino daar
‘n Rolprent vol plesier

By son se paradys
Met ‘n whisky oor die ys
‘n Naweek weg vir besigheid
Met vroutjie veilig tuis

Safaripark brigade
Gee hom stiptelik tien en drie
Knor is die staat se balpuntpenne
Opdroog teen afskrif nommer drie

Hier gaan elke pil en broufonds net ‘n nommer op die deur
Maar as die bonus goed lyk kan ‘n snaakse ding gebeur ah hoe

‘n Grenshotel is die lewe
'n Maseru Maman, oe
‘n Knippie hier die kasino daar
‘n Rolprent vol plesier

By son se paradys
Met ‘n whisky oor die ys
‘n Naweek weg vir besigheid

Met vroutjie veilig tuis
O ja

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Coenie De Villiers's song "n Grenshotel is die Lewe" tell the story of a man who is well-off and influential in his community. Described as wearing a feather in his tweed hat, the man is the boss of his farm and likely holds a position of authority, possibly even on the church council. He is financially stable with a healthy bank balance.

The man is portrayed as a versatile individual, playing forward for the town team and having a deep knowledge of farming. However, the lyrics hint at a humorous and ironic twist, suggesting that even the most unexpected things can happen when everything seems to be going well.

The refrain "‘n Grenshotel is die lewe" emphasizes the idea that life is like a grand hotel, filled with pleasure and excitement. The mention of a "Maseru Maman" refers to a luxurious, high-end restaurant, highlighting the man's indulgence in fine dining experiences. The lyrics also mention various forms of entertainment and indulgence, such as casinos and movies, further emphasizing a life of pleasure.

The lyrics also allude to the man's escape from the demands of business with frequent weekend getaways, leaving his wife safely at home. The reference to a safari park brigade and the mention of state ballpoint pens drying up on the third copy suggest a bureaucratic and rigid environment that contrasts with the man's carefree and enjoyable lifestyle.

Overall, the lyrics of "n Grenshotel is die Lewe" paint a picture of a man who appears to have it all but also hint at the unpredictable nature of life and the humorous twists that can occur despite one's seemingly perfect circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

Sy tweedhoed het ‘n veer in
His tweed hat has a feather in it

Hy's die baas hier op sy plaas
He is the boss here on his farm

Bes moontlik op die kerkraad
Possibly on the church council

Met ‘n gesonde bank balans
With a healthy bank balance

Hy speel voorry vir die dorpspan en hy ken ‘n mielie deur en deur
He plays wing forward for the town team and he knows a maize (corn) inside out

Maar as die wolcheck goed lyk kan ‘n snaakste ding gebeur ah hoe
But if the wool check looks good, the strangest thing can happen oh how

‘n Grenshotel is die lewe
A casino is life

‘n Maseru Maman, oe
A Maseru Maman, oh

‘n Knippie hier die kasino daar
A pinch here, the casino there

‘n Rolprent vol plesier
A movie full of pleasure

By son se paradys
At the sun's paradise