In 1999, DeLange released live-album Dear John, an album full of covers by John Hiatt, after a very successful performance at the "Marlboro Flashbacks". The album went platinum in the Netherlands, for selling more than 80,000 copies.
In 2000, DeLange released her sophomore album Livin’ On Love. Although there was a good amount of promotion for the album, it could not compete with the success of its predecessor. It peaked at #5 on the Dutch Album Top 100. Its lead single “Livin’ On Love” became a minor Top 40-entry. Meanwhile, Warner Music attempted to promote this release as her "breakthrough" release in the United States. Although World Of Hurt was planned to be released in the States, the record labels in America thought the album was too old-fashioned for the 2000s. It was eventually shelved.
In 2003, DeLange released her third album Clean Up. It became another success for the Dutch singer, peaking at Number 1 on the Dutch Album Top 100 for five weeks. Its single “Shine” with Rosemary's Sons became a surprise Top 40-hit. Despite the success, the first single “No Reason To Be Shy” was a commercial failure and the record company decided not to release any further singles.
Later that same year, DeLange released her first compilation album Here I Am (1998-2003). She also collaborated with Kane on “Before You Let Me Go”, which was recorded live in Rotterdam. It peaked at #4 on the Dutch official Top 40, earning DeLange her first ever Top 10-hit. At the beginning of 2004, the Dutch section of record company Warner Music was disbanded and DeLange lost her contract.
She then signed with Universal Music. In 2006, she released her fourth album The Great Escape. Its lead single of the same name became an unexpectedly big hit, charting for more than five months on the Dutch official Top 40. The album peaked at Number 1 on the Dutch Album Top 100 and was certified double-platinum within its first month. Its follow-up singles “The Lonely One” and “I Love You” both entered the Top 40 as well.
In 2008, DeLange released her fifth album Incredible. Its lead single became a breakout success, peaking at #6 on the Dutch official Top 40. It also won the Schaal van Rigter prize. The follow-up single “Miracle” became an even bigger hit, topping the Dutch official Top 40 and earning DeLange her first Number 1-single. The album was also a commercial success, becoming her fourth Number 1-album and being certified quintuple-platinum.
In 2010, DeLange released her first EP titled Next To Me. Its lead single of the same name became another Top 10-hit. In 2011 she started working on a new album, which was later shelved after her father’s death.
In 2012, DeLange released her seventh album Eye of the Hurricane. The single “Hurricane” became the album’s breakout single. This new album was promoted with a concert in the 'GelreDome' stadium. It earned DeLange another Number 1-album on the Dutch Album Top 100.
In 2013, DeLange replaced Nick & Simon as a coach on The Voice of Holland. She returned to The Voice of Holland as a coach for its fifth season in August 2014. On 15 January 2015, it was announced that DeLange would be replaced as a coach for the sixth season of The Voice of Holland by Miss Montreal lead singer Sanne Hans.
DeLange represented the Netherlands, with singer Waylon as The Common Linnets, during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. With the song “Calm After The Storm”, the band finished in second place behind the winner Conchita Wurst from Austria, the Netherlands’ best result in more than a decade. The song became a hit single across Europe, reaching the Top 10 in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The band’s eponymous album also became very successful, 50.000 copies within a week in The Netherlands alone.
On 7 December 2017 it was revealed that DeLange would have a recurring role in the final season of the ABC/CMT musical-drama series Nashville.
In 2018 created DeLange her own record label, Spark Records, as part of Firefly/Universal Music. She also released her new eponymous album. The album debuted and peaked at #3 on the Dutch Album Top 100. It failed to produce a significant hit single.
DeLange was part of the Dutch delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 as an artistic consultant and mentor to the Dutch representative Duncan Laurence, whom she coached during the fifth season of The Voice of Holland. Laurence went on to win the contest with his song "Arcade".
In September 2019 DeLange released the roots-album Gravel & Dust. Recorded in Nashville, this album was made with producer T Bone Burnett. It debuted at #2 on the Dutch Album Top 100. Quickly thereafter, DeLange released her new album Changes. The album debuted and peaked at #4 on the Dutch Album Top 100 and became a surprise hit in German-speaking countries. It peaked at #14 on the German Top Album Charts and a Top 10-album in Switzerland. The success inspired DeLange to tour through Germany in 2023.
DeLange participated in the seventh season of Sing Meinen Song - Das Tauschkonzert. The episode where DeLange was the central guest, suddenly increased the sales of DeLanges old albums and singles.
Breathe in Breathe Out
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As soon as I try to get you of my mind I fail
Another dreamless night watching the moon cross the sky
Cursing the sun 'cause I know it has won again
Oh, I breathe in, breathe out
And I'm stuck in those shadowed doubts
I'm feeling my way
So tired of seeing blind
There's nothing I can do now
Breathe in, breathe out
I'm raising my white flag high
I surrender myself though I'm not sure why
And I hate being wrong and I never let on when I am
But I'd rather lose my pride than to lose you as mine
And I don't like to beg but I'm down on my knees this time
Oh, I breathe in, breathe out
And I'm stuck in those shadowed doubts
I'm feeling my way
So tired of seeing blind
But I breathe in, breathe out
There's nothing I can do now
But breathe in, breathe out
Oh, why am I so stubborn for the sake of it
I bet I'd try to catch and tame the wind
And all the while I know that you would take me back
What's wrong with that?
Oh, I breathe in, breathe out
Oh, I breathe in, breathe out
I'm feeling my way
So tired of seeing blind
But I breathe in, breathe out
Yeah, I breathe in
Five hundred and nine black sheep slowly jump over me
The lyrics of Ilse DeLange's song Breathe in Breathe Out describe the turmoil and struggle of trying to move on from a past relationship. The line "Five hundred and nine black sheep slowly jump over me" is an interesting way of saying that she feels like she cannot sleep and is plagued with thoughts of her past lover. The counting of sheep is often used as a method to fall asleep, but in this case, the sheep are not helping her escape her thoughts. She acknowledges that she has "shadowed doubts" and is "feeling her way" through the process of trying to move on.
The chorus, "Oh, I breathe in, breathe out / And I'm stuck in those shadowed doubts / I'm feeling my way / So tired of seeing blind / But I breathe in, breathe out / There's nothing I can do now / But breathe in, breathe out," shows that she is trying to focus on her breathing and push through the pain she is feeling. She raises her "white flag high" and surrenders herself, admitting that she would rather lose her pride than lose her love.
The bridge of the song is especially poignant, as she acknowledges her own stubbornness and admits that she would try to "catch and tame the wind" if it meant she could hold onto her lover. The line "And all the while I know that you would take me back / What's wrong with that?" indicates that she still has hope for reconciliation.
Overall, the lyrics of Breathe in Breathe Out capture the intense emotions of heartbreak and the struggle to move on while still holding onto hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Five hundred and nine black sheep slowly jump over me
I am feeling overwhelmed and unable to sleep, as my thoughts are constantly racing and keeping me awake at night.
As soon as I try to get you of my mind I fail
I am struggling to move on from someone and forget about them, even though I know it is for the best.
Another dreamless night watching the moon cross the sky
I am spending another night awake, watching the moon move across the sky and feeling helpless and alone.
Cursing the sun 'cause I know it has won again
I am feeling defeated and frustrated by the fact that another day has come without any positive change or progress in my life.
Oh, I breathe in, breathe out
I am trying to calm myself down and regain control of my emotions by taking deep breaths.
And I'm stuck in those shadowed doubts
I am feeling uncertain and doubtful about myself and my future, which is causing me to feel trapped and stuck.
I'm feeling my way
I am trying to navigate through my problems and challenges, even though I am not sure what the right path is.
So tired of seeing blind
I am exhausted by my inability to see clearly and make wise decisions for myself.
There's nothing I can do now
I am feeling helpless and powerless to change my circumstances or fix my problems.
I'm raising my white flag high
I am giving up and surrendering to my problems, even though I am not sure if it is the right thing to do.
I surrender myself though I'm not sure why
I am letting go of control and giving in to my problems, even though I am not sure if it is the best course of action.
And I hate being wrong and I never let on when I am
I have a fear of being seen as weak or flawed, which causes me to hide my mistakes and vulnerabilities from others.
But I'd rather lose my pride than to lose you as mine
I value my relationship with someone more than my own ego or self-importance, and am willing to sacrifice my pride to keep them in my life.
And I don't like to beg but I'm down on my knees this time
I am feeling desperate and willing to do whatever it takes to resolve my conflicts and regain control of my life, even if it means begging for help.
Oh, why am I so stubborn for the sake of it
I am recognizing that my own stubbornness and resistance to change is causing me more harm than good, but I am having a hard time letting it go.
I bet I'd try to catch and tame the wind
I am acknowledging that I often attempt to control or manipulate things that are beyond my control, such as the wind.
What's wrong with that?
I am questioning whether there is anything wrong with trying to change the uncontrollable or unrealistic, even if it is unlikely to succeed.
Yeah, I breathe in
I am continuing to try and regulate my breathing to calm myself down and clear my mind.
Contributed by Mateo L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.