In 1985 he was on the show: The Soundmixshow by Henny Huisman. Thanks to this act he had gained popularity. In 1988 he was the Dutch artist for the Eurovision Song Contest singing "Shangri-La". 'Ticket to the tropics' and 'No More Boleros' are one of the most famous songs by him and also #1 hits in The Netherlands. He also worked together with Gordon and Rene Froger. He recently came with a new album 'Maak Me Gek' wich is a huge succes in The Netherlands. His new singles 'Maak Me Gek' & 'Blijf Bij Mij (ft. Andre Hazes)' went straight to #1 (in the Mega Top 50).
Shangri-La
Gerard Joling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Liefde
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
In een nacht van neon en de geur van schralend bier
Staat daar een kamerscherm van rijstpapier
De wereld is wat iemand eigenlijk wil zien
In een jungle van beton voel je haast de liefde niet
Wie kan leven zonder liefde
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
Wie kan leven zonder liefde
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
Ja, leef maar op gevoel
Je dagen zonder doel
Tot morgen weer voorbij is
Langs ieder flatgebouw
Zie ik een bamboetouw
Leven zonder liefde
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
Ja, leef maar op gevoel
Je dromen zonder doel
Tot morgen weer voorbij is
Leven
Liefde
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
Leven
Liefde
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
The lyrics to Gerard Joling's song Shangri-la touch on themes of life, love, and the search for a perfect paradise. The song paints a picture of a city full of neon lights and the smell of stale beer, where the concrete jungle can make one feel disconnected from love and humanity. In this world, there is a screen made of rice paper, perhaps symbolizing a barrier between people and their true desires or a portal to a realm beyond the everyday. The world is portrayed as something that people want to see – beautiful, but also perhaps deceiving – while love is scarce and hard to find.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Who can live without love, I'm looking for Shangri-la" to emphasize the idea that love is essential in life and that people are always searching for their own perfect paradise. The verses describe a life without love as aimless, represented by "days without purpose," and in contrast, Shangri-la is presented as a kind of utopia where love and life are intertwined. The bamboo rope seen in every building perhaps represents the connection between all individuals, linking the concrete jungle to a deeper sense of community.
Overall, the lyrics to Shangri-la are insightful in their portrayal of human desires and struggles. They call attention to the need for love and the search for meaning in life, while offering a glimpse at a possible paradise that may or may not be attainable.
Line by Line Meaning
Leven
Life
Liefde
Love
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
I am searching for Shangri-la
In een nacht van neon en de geur van schralend bier
In a night of neon lights and the smell of stale beer
Staat daar een kamerscherm van rijstpapier
There stands a room divider made of rice paper
De wereld is wat iemand eigenlijk wil zien
The world is what one actually wants to see
In een jungle van beton voel je haast de liefde niet
In a jungle of concrete, one can hardly feel the love
Wie kan leven zonder liefde
Who can live without love
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
I am searching for Shangri-la
Ja, leef maar op gevoel
Yes, live by your feelings
Je dagen zonder doel
Your days without purpose
Tot morgen weer voorbij is
Until tomorrow is over
Langs ieder flatgebouw
Along every apartment building
Zie ik een bamboetouw
I see a bamboo rope
Leven zonder liefde
Life without love
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
I am searching for Shangri-la
Je dromen zonder doel
Your dreams without purpose
Leven
Life
Liefde
Love
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
I am searching for Shangri-la
'k ben op zoek naar Shangri-la
I am searching for Shangri-la
Contributed by Jordyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Θεόδωρος Δασκαλογιαννης
In 1988 I was 13years old I hear it only once,in this Eurovision,I love this song in this moment,and my memories keep it 30 years in my mind,and thanks youtube I found it again....is amazing...my best song...Greetings from Greece
Ingrid watsup
And in those years you have learned excellent English Theodoro! Best wishes from 🇳🇱🌷🌷
GUNNERZ76
The same bro...Great song...
MrDJG666
Recently heard Eng version for the first time and it was fab! Was anticipating winning high notes blowing an audience away. Should've went all the way!
Sahi PK
I always understood that he went partying the night before, and he didn’t dare to fail his high note, like Justine Palmelay did in an earlier season.
P R
He felt he couldnt do that at that moment. Having a cold or something alike.
ferretmanboy
The orchestration of the song is amazing.
Carlos MS
Keyboardists: Pim Roos and Johan Hoogland
Backing singers: Lisa Boray, Sonja Pelgrims (actually from Belgium) and Justine Pelmelay (whose real name is Anneke Wilma, Justine was her grandmother's name).
Kind regards
Carlos M.S.
Georgioudakis George
I love this song!!Greetings from Athens,Greece!!!
Botafogoplayground
Een heel mooie inzending. Still listening to it in 2016. Goed om Nederlands te lerén ;-)