Perhaps most famously, Van Veen was the creator of the Alfred Jodocus Kwak children's animation series of worldwide fame. Van Veen is an ambassador for UNICEF Nederland and a founding member of Colombine, Stichting Alfred Jodocus Kwak, Stichting Roos, and the Herman van Veen Foundation. All of these foundations are active for children's rights. In 2004 he received the World Peace Flame, a symbol of peace, freedom, unity and truth, inspired by the eternal flame, burning at the residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Since 2005 Herman van Veen has been ambassador for the 'Music in the Middle East' foundation.
In the 1960s, Van Veen studied the violin, singing and theory of musical education at Utrecht Conservatory. His career as a recording artist started in 1968. Some of his biggest Dutch hits are Opzij (1979), Hilversum 3 (1984), Anne (1986), Zo vrolijk (1986), Toveren (1987) and Blauwe plekken (1990), but he very rarely performs them live anymore. Most of his theatre concerts focus on recent material, as there always is plenty of it.
Amsterdam's famous Carré theatre is Van Veen's 'second home': he has more than 600 headline Carré shows to his name.
Van Veen lives with his wife Gaetane Bouchez, a female dancer, in Soest, The Netherlands. He has four children from previous mariages.
Voodoo
Herman Van Veen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waddinxveen
is dit de trein naar
Waddinxveen
ik moet altijd ergens heen
is dit de trein naar
Waddinxveen
De wereld gaat aan mij voorbij
is dit de trein naar Waddinxveen...
ik voel de prikkel in m'n lijf
want ik wil niet dat ik blijf
is dit toeval
is dit voodoo
Het ritme van de rails voelt
als dansen in de nacht
de cadans van een
kloppend hart
mijn bloed gaat sneller stromen
als het tempo wordt vertraagd
de richting blijft hetzelfde
maar het einddoel is vervaagd
Waar wil ik toch naar toe
naar toe Ik vraag haar kom ik nog op tijd
of ben ik nu de richting kwijt
ben ik hopeloos ontspoord
dit is de trein naar
Emmeloord
Het ritme van de rails voelt
als dansen in de nacht
De cadans van een
kloppend hart
Mijn bloed gaat sneller stromen
als het tempo wordt vertraagd
De richting blijft hetzelfde
maar het einddoel is vervaagd
Is dit toeval
is dit voodoo
The lyrics of Herman Van Veen’s “Voodoo” are introspective, describing a feeling of restlessness and a desire to always be moving forward. The repeated refrain of “is dit de trein naar Waddinxveen” (“is this the train to Waddinxveen”) emphasizes this sense of always being on the move, while the verses explore the emotions and thoughts behind it. The “prikkel” (“tickle” or “sting”) that the singer feels in their body represents the discomfort they feel at the idea of staying in one place, and they wonder if this restlessness is simply coincidence or the result of something more supernatural, symbolized by the repeated question of “is dit toeval / is dit voodoo” (“is this coincidence / is this voodoo”).
The imagery of the train as a metaphor for life is common in literature and music, and “Voodoo” is no exception. The rhythm of the train on the tracks is compared to “dancing in the night,” while the cadence of a beating heart represents the natural flow of life. However, the unsettling feeling that the singer experiences when the train slows down or when their destination becomes unclear signals a fear of losing control or direction in life. The final line, announcing the train’s arrival in a different town than expected (“dit is de trein naar Emmeloord”), further emphasizes this uncertainty and lack of control.
Overall, “Voodoo” is a poignant exploration of the human desire for movement and adventure, tempered by the fear of losing oneself in the process. Through its use of vivid imagery and repetition, the song creates a sense of unease that is both universal and deeply personal.
Line by Line Meaning
Is dit de trein naar Waddinxveen
The singer is on a train and he asks if it is going to Waddinxveen, but in reality, he is always searching for a destination.
Ik moet altijd ergens heen
The singer is always moving, never staying in one place for too long.
De wereld gaat aan mij voorbij
The singer feels like he is missing out on what the world has to offer because he is always moving and searching for something.
Ik voel de prikkel in m'n lijf, want ik wil niet dat ik blijf
The singer feels an impulse to keep moving because he is afraid of staying in one place for too long.
Is dit toeval, is dit voodoo
The singer questions whether his constant movement is due to random chance or some mystical force.
Het ritme van de rails voelt als dansen in de nacht
The singer finds the rhythm of the train to be soothing, reminiscent of dancing in the night.
De cadans van een kloppend hart
The rhythm of the train is similar to that of a beating heart.
Mijn bloed gaat sneller stromen als het tempo wordt vertraagd
When the train slows down, the singer feels his blood racing faster, as if he is excited about what is to come.
De richting blijft hetzelfde maar het einddoel is vervaagd
Despite the train continuing in the same direction, the singer's purpose for getting on the train has become less clear and blurred.
Waar wil ik toch naar toe, naar toe
The singer is struggling to figure out where he wants to go with his life.
Ik vraag haar kom ik nog op tijd of ben ik nu de richting kwijt
The singer is speaking to a woman and asks if he is still able to reach his destination, or if he has lost his way completely.
Ben ik hopeloos ontspoord, dit is de trein naar Emmeloord
The singer questions whether he has lost his way completely, and reveals that the train is actually going to Emmeloord, a place he may or may not have intended to go.
Contributed by Savannah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.