De Mens is a Belgian rock band from Ghent. The current members of the band … Read Full Bio ↴De Mens is a Belgian rock band from Ghent. The current members of the band are Frank Vander linden, Michel De Coster, and Dirk Jans.

After playing in many hobby groups together, long-time friends Vander linden and De Coster decided to start De Mens. Vander linden, a journalist for the acclaimed Belgian magazine Humo, left his job to pursue a career as a full-time musician. In 1992 the band released its first radio single, "Dit is mijn huis" ("This Is My House"), followed by the full album De Mens. Later came other successful singles "Jeroen Brouwers (schrijft een boek)" ("Jeroen Brouwers Writes a Book") and "Irene". De Mens became a popular Belgian rock band.

The band's second album, called Ik wil meer (I Want More), contains the singles "Nederland" ("The Netherlands"), "Zij zit daar en ik zit hier" ("She Sits There and I Sit Here"), and "Lachen en mooi zijn" ("Smiling and Being Pretty"). Meanwhile, Vander linden developed a reputation as writer. Thanks to his success in the Studio Brussel radio programme Collage, he has frequently been asked to be a columnist and spoken-word performer.

In winter of 1995, Vander linden did a small tour titled Solo bij u thuis. A mini-CD, Patti Blues, followed. During that same winter, the band recorded a new album titled Wil je beroemd zijn? (Do You Want to Be Famous?) at the ICP studios in Brussels.

De Mens did a partly acoustic theatre tour in October/November 1997. A compilation CD followed, containing the radio singles "Ik wil een vrouw zijn" ("I Want to Be a Woman"), "Val niet in liefde" ("Don't Fall in Love"), and some brand-new songs.

The band signed up with the Play It Again Sam record company and released the album "Sex Verandert Alles" ("Sex Changes Everything"). It was recorded partly in the ICP studios and partly at home. The singles "Einde van de eeuw" ("The End of the Century") and "Sex verandert alles" scored well in the alternative charts. A club tour followed. Meanwhile, Vander linden became a regular panel member in the television quiz show Nonkel pop on a channel of the Belgian public broadcaster VRT. He also played himself in the movie Film 1 by Willem Wallyn.

Maandag
De Mens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Maandag heb ik je naar huis gebracht
Met heel veel aandacht voor alles wat niet meer mag
Dinsdag stond ik alweer voor je deur
Met heel veel aandacht voor die specifieke geur

Je billen je buik
Je stemmen te luid
Je benen gezond

Je huisdier
Een hond

Maandag heb ik je naar huis gebracht
Met heel veel aandacht voor alles wat niet meer mag
Dinsdagnacht zag ik je mooiste lach
Een maandag later werd ik weer bij jou verwacht
Ik zeg

Je billen je buik
Je stemmen te luid
Je benen gezond
Je huisdier
woeoeoeoeoeoe

Maandag heb ik je naar huis gebracht
Met heel veel aandacht voor alles wat niet meer mag
Maandag meegenomen ingepakt
Op je verjaardag op je verjaardag

Je billen je buik
Je stemmen te luid
Je benen gezond
Je huisdier
woeoeoeoeoeoe

En later tussen lakens
verplaatsten wij de bakens

Maandag ... heel je aandacht
Maandag heb ik je naar huis gebracht
Met heel veel aandacht voor alles wat niet meer mag
Ik zeg

Je benen je buik
Je stemmen te luid
Je billen gezond
Je huisdier
woeoeoeoeoeoe

Maandag maandag
Voor alles wat niet meer mag

Maandag
woeoeoeoeoeoe

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Maandag" by De Mens describe the relationship between the singer and their lover, whom they have brought home on a Monday with great attention to detail. The second verse of the song makes it clear that the lover is struggling with addiction, perhaps alcoholism or drug addiction, indicated by the reference to a specific smell. The singer seems to have a codependent relationship with this lover as they keep returning to them despite the addiction issues.

The chorus of the song repeats a list of physical attributes of the lover, such as their stomach, legs, and voice being too loud. The inclusion of their pet dog suggests that the singer sees the lover's care for their animal as an indicator of their capacity for love and responsibility. The song ends with the suggestion of a sexual encounter between the two and a repetition of the phrase "Maandag" which serves as a reminder of the recurring pattern of their relationship.

Overall, "Maandag" is a poignant song that deals with complex issues such as addiction and codependency, and how they can affect the dynamics of a romantic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Maandag heb ik je naar huis gebracht
I took you home on Monday

Met heel veel aandacht voor alles wat niet meer mag
I paid close attention to everything that was no longer allowed

Dinsdag stond ik alweer voor je deur
I was already at your door on Tuesday

Met heel veel aandacht voor die specifieke geur
Paying a lot of attention to that specific smell

Je billen je buik
Your buttocks and belly

Je stemmen te luid
Your voice is too loud

Je benen gezond
Your legs are healthy

Je huisdier
Your pet

Een hond
A dog

Dinsdagnacht zag ik je mooiste lach
I saw your most beautiful smile on Tuesday night

Een maandag later werd ik weer bij jou verwacht
I was expected back with you again on a Monday