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.
Carousel
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dreaming of a simpler life, that seems beyond me
It’s a feeling, I can’t take it, all these contradictions make it
Harder to reveal the sun that sunk inside
It’s gonna take a little while, for me to get that close to you
And every time I pass you by, my heart is breaking as I
It just takes me round and round
Watch me reaching out for you
Yes I’m reaching out for you
But my head’s still spinning
I never meant to run you down, this twisted road has lead me on
Just to drop me off right where I started
This perfect picture comes and goes
And once again I think I’m close
Something pulls me back to this old carousel
And every time I pass you by, my heart’s breaking as I
Ride, on this worn out carousel
It just takes me round and round
Watch me reaching out for you
Yes I’m reaching out for you
But my head’s still spinning
Ride
Ride
Ride, on this worn out carousel
It just takes me on this ride
On this worn out carousel
It just takes me round and round
Watch me reaching out for you
Yes I’m reaching out for you
Yes, I’m reaching out for you
But my head’s still spinning
The lyrics to Ilse DeLange's song Carousel showcase a theme of wanting and yearning for something that seems out of reach. The opening lines indicate a desire for a simpler life, which the singer feels is beyond their grasp. They are grappling with internal contradictions, making it harder for them to find their way to the sun that has sunk inside. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to reconcile their desires and what they believe to be their reality.
The song uses the metaphor of a carousel – a constantly spinning ride that takes you around and around- to convey the idea that the singer is stuck on a never-ending cycle. They say that every time they pass the person they're reaching for, their heart breaks, and they ride on the carousel again. The singer acknowledges that they've been on a twisted road, but it's ultimately led them back to where they started. They feel like they're close to attaining what they want, but something always pulls them back to the carousel instead.
In conclusion, the lyrics to Ilse DeLange's Carousel touch on universal themes of desire, yearning, and the feeling of being stuck in a vicious circle. The song's lyrics are relatable for anyone who has ever felt like they're chasing something that seems just out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to turn a 45 and listening to the opening line
Getting lost in the music and nostalgia, wishing for a simpler life
Dreaming of a simpler life, that seems beyond me
Longing for a life that feels out of reach and unattainable
It’s a feeling, I can’t take it, all these contradictions make it Harder to reveal the sun that sunk inside
Feeling overwhelmed by the contradictions and complexities of life, struggling to find happiness and fulfillment
It’s gonna take a little while, for me to get that close to you And every time I pass you by, my heart is breaking as I
Knowing that it will take time to build a meaningful connection with someone, and feeling heartbroken every time the opportunity passes
Ride, on this worn out carousel It just takes me round and round Watch me reaching out for you Yes I’m reaching out for you But my head’s still spinning
Comparing the ups and downs of a relationship to a never-ending, dizzying carousel ride, still trying to reach out for love despite feeling lost and uncertain
I never meant to run you down, this twisted road has lead me on Just to drop me off right where I started This perfect picture comes and goes And once again I think I’m close Something pulls me back to this old carousel
Admitting to the mistakes and detours that brought them to where they are, realizing that the elusive idea of perfection keeps evading them and they keep getting stuck in the same cycle
Ride, on this worn out carousel It just takes me round and round Watch me reaching out for you Yes I’m reaching out for you But my head’s still spinning
Repeating the chorus, emphasizing the cyclical nature of their emotions and the desperate yet uncertain search for love
Ride Ride
Repeating the word 'Ride' to further emphasize the cycle and repetition of their thoughts and feelings
Ride, on this worn out carousel It just takes me on this ride On this worn out carousel It just takes me round and round Watch me reaching out for you Yes I’m reaching out for you Yes, I’m reaching out for you But my head’s still spinning
Ending the song with the repetition of the chorus and the desperate pursuit of love, despite feeling lost and unsure
Contributed by Ella J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
hekikuu
Die stem brengt zo'n smile op m'n face.. Fantastische zangeres, live ook. Beter nog dan van 'n CD.
Miki jonas
😀geweldig, dit! ❤
Melissa
Geniaal die ilse!❤
José Gomes
Lindíssima 😘
melani hartman
Geweldige zangeres,helemaal top
Christina Visser
Zingen en gitaar spelen ook een kunst en wat maakt ze er een goeie show van haha! :)
Jutterenkok
Wat is dit helemaal TOP, uit dit stukje blijkt dat ze echt een heeeeeele goede muzikant is. Nummer niet helemaal goed afmaken, even kletsen, tot 4 tellen en dan 100% doorgaan!!
Silvio Alexis Zorrilla
hermosa voz!!!!! beautiful voice!!!!!
Melissa
Geweldig mens is t toch die ilse!😝❤💗💕
Davey H84
Geweldig nummer?! Derde single??? ;) Al verkoop je er geen albums mee, het is een superradionummer!!