He always did all this without the help of a record company, but in early 2010 he signed a contract with EMI Group. This contract resulted in the recording of his debut album Dream Parade in Los Angeles. The first single from this album is the song This Town. With this, 3FM immediately chose him as 3FM Serious Talent. Giel Beelen called him the greatest talent of 2011 on March 10, 2011 during the broadcast of De Wereld Draait Door. His first single This Town was named 3FM Megahit on March 27 and Dotan was a guest at Giel Beelen and De Wereld Draait Door.
His debut album Dream Parade was released on May 20 and was immediately named by CD of the week on 3FM and 3voor12. Dotan received positive reactions for his album in magazines such as OOR, Elsevier, Metro and de Volkskrant. His second single Where we belong was linked to Amnesty International's international campaign, which is why he flew to Nigeria to perform for the slums of Port Harcourt. The accompanying clip grew into a YouTube hit with more than 200,000 views.
In the summer of 2011, Dotan appeared at various festivals and was a guest on the larger radio and television programs. Then Dotan started his "Dream Parade Tour" through the big clubs of the Netherlands. Dotan's debut album will also be released in several other countries, of which Israel is the first.
Dotan's unique voice is often compared to Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody.
Dotan reached a milestone by being the first artist in history to remain on the number 1 spot in the Serious Talent charts for more than 5 months. With this he leaves artists such as Caro Emerald, Go Back To The Zoo and Krystl behind. This chart is based on the popularity on the social media of the artists. A nomination for the Serious Talent Award 2011 followed, but during the presentation at Paaspop 2012 it was announced that he did not win this prize.
Dotan went on tour with Gavin Degraw in February, with whom he played in sold-out venues such as the Melkweg and Oosterpoort. Two months later on April 17, 2012, he provided the opening act for Sinéad O'Connor in the main hall of the Paradiso.
In April 2018, after several months of research, Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant revealed that Dotan had enlisted the aid of at least 140 troll accounts to boost his online reputation and following. These accounts disparaged other musicians and made up feel-good stories about chance encounters with fans. de Volkskrant also revealed that Dotan's management had repeatedly tried to alter Dotan's Dutch Wikipedia page. The singer later confirmed the existence of these accounts, apologised, and terminated all his social media activities.
Let The River In
Dotan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The final frost was laid again
We draft the roof,
Froze the shoes,
Killed the flowers,
and stole the colour from the sun.
Oh let the river in,
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
You held on to my hands like a vice,
Turn the screw, turn them white,
But there's a point there's a limit where we brake,
Couldn't find if it's the quickest way.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the damns and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
Ooooooohhhh
(I feel the breaking of bricks and water,
I feel the rhythm of the water...)
I feel the breaking of bricks and water,
I feel the rhythm of the water...
Oh let the river in,
Burst the damns and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the damns and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Oh Let the river in,
Nature plays, Nature wins
The song "Let The River In" by Dotan is an emotional ballad that speaks to the forces of nature and human limitations. The opening lines set the scene for the listener with the coldest night coming in the spring, a time when new life is supposed to be flourishing. Yet, the final frost laid again, causing destruction and despair. The imagery in the lyrics paints a bleak picture with the roof leaking, shoes freezing, the flowers dying, and stealing the color from the sun, all elements of nature failing to bring light and warmth.
The chorus of "let the river in" repeats throughout the song, symbolizing the power and fluidity of nature to overpower man-made structures such as dams. Dotan compares our need to control nature to holding hands like a vice, turning it white. There is a point where we must realize that we can't control nature, and the quickest way to move forward is to let go and start again.
The line "as the blood beneath my skin" is particularly poignant as it suggests a deep connection to nature and our bodies. Dotan's repetition of the chorus brings the listener on a journey where they feel the breaking of bricks and water, and the rhythm of the river.
Overall, the song provides a powerful message about the importance of recognizing our limitations and the power of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
The coldest night came in in Spring
Unexpected and harsh moments can arise even in times when they're not expected or typical, just as the coldest night can occur in the season of Spring.
The final frost was laid again
The final signs of damage and destruction were inflicted, leaving evidence of loss and harm that won't be repaired easily.
We draft the roof, Froze the shoes, Killed the flowers, and stole the colour from the sun.
Actions taken during a bad moment can lead to permanent and significant negative impacts on the surroundings, including the destruction of beauty and all things bright and warm.
Oh let the river in, Burst the damns and start again.
As a way to start fresh, we should metaphorically allow things to flow and wipe away the old. It's time to break down the barriers that are holding us back and start anew.
The will of men can't hold it in.
Even our most determined efforts to control an outcome or a situation are eventually powerless in the face of nature and the universe.
As the blood beneath my skin.
The ability to feel things deeply and personally, down to one's very blood and being, is what makes us human, and allows us to connect with the world and its power.
Let the river in, Nature plays, nature wins.
By metaphorically releasing the river and allowing nature to take its course, we can acknowledge that the natural course of things tends to be the winner, and that there's beauty and power in going with the flow.
You held on to my hands like a vice, Turn the screw, turn them white, But there's a point there's a limit where we brake, Couldn't find if it's the quickest way.
Even when we cling to others tightly, push ourselves to the limit, or try to force a situation, there comes a point where it's all in vain, and we must make a hard decision about how to proceed.
Ooooooohhhh
A visceral and emotional reaction to the overwhelming power of nature and the universe, and the realization that we are just small players in something much bigger.
I feel the breaking of bricks and water, I feel the rhythm of the water...
The physical and emotional sensations that come with confronting something so powerful, and recognizing how it has the ability to break down even the strongest of structures.
Contributed by Jordan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Pidgeon_
The coldest night came in in Spring
The final frost will slay again
We draft the roof,
Froze the shoes,
Killed the flowers,
And stole the colour from the sun.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
You held on to my hands like a vice,
You turn the screw, turn them white,
But there's a point, there's a limit where we break,
The current finds the quickest way.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
Ooooooohhhh
(I hear the breaking of bricks and mortar,
I feel the rhythm of the water...)
I hear the breaking of bricks and mortar,
I feel the rhythm of the water...
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Oh let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Oh let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins
@Auroosa
Today accidentally found this song. My friend was searching for the lyrics to a song with the same title. We played the song, and the lyrics did not match to what was sung. I decided to listen to this, since I almost cried reading the lyrics. I keep bursting to tears since this year has been about giving up on things, learning the strenght in letting go, and letting the tears flow. It has been the hardest, and without searching for a song to describe how this year has felt like, this came up. Thank you.
@BjornLlaneza
No better feeling than this :)
@estherpeters242
Still one of my favorites❤❤
@xxxlovelyxxx5
Love it 😍 this song should be more popular
@mEtalec
YSOserious^^ Dotan, is that you?
@franciscasfunspace3985
Yes it should be.
@kokomiko102
Who gives a dislike for such a masterpiece? It's not music anymore it's sth over the top, I love your style of making music and videos !!!
@Pidgeon_
The coldest night came in in Spring
The final frost will slay again
We draft the roof,
Froze the shoes,
Killed the flowers,
And stole the colour from the sun.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
You held on to my hands like a vice,
You turn the screw, turn them white,
But there's a point, there's a limit where we break,
The current finds the quickest way.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
Ooooooohhhh
(I hear the breaking of bricks and mortar,
I feel the rhythm of the water...)
I hear the breaking of bricks and mortar,
I feel the rhythm of the water...
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Oh let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins.
Oh let the river in,
Burst the dams and start again.
Oh let the river in,
The will of men can't hold it in.
Oh let the river in,
As the blood beneath my skin.
Oh let the river in,
Nature plays, nature wins
@BALLER1ZN
Amazing music and lyrics..So underrated songs...
@behindthemask2399
It reminds me of my early childhood, I don't even know why. Just makes me cry