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.
Carry Hope
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta make this land your own
Must feel free to fall, trust will catch us all
Faith calls out your name
When I let go of hope, there's no one left to follow
There's nothing but the power to believe in me
I reach for what I know, when I can't see tomorrow
There is no security in all it is we see
Tomorrow is your hope
When I let go of hope and there's no one left to follow
There's nothing but the power to believe in me
I reach for what I know, when I can't see tomorrow
I carry hope
The wind carries the past, it whispers loud and fast
From days now gone, they never left
I feel inside of me, it's lifting me out of sorrow
This energy's filling me up
(My head held high)
Lift me up, lift me up, lift me up
Lift me up, lift me up
(My head held high)
Lift me up, lift me up, lift me up
Lift me up, lift me up
When I let go of hope, there's no one left to follow
There's nothing but the power to believe in me
I reach for what I know, when I cannot see tomorrow
I carry hope
The song "Carry Hope" by Ilse DeLange talks about hope and faith, even in the face of struggles and uncertainties. The first stanza refers to the power being in the person's hands, and the dust falling to sand, which may mean that the power lies within oneself, and that everything fades away eventually. The line "Gotta make this land your own" may be an encouragement to take charge and make a mark in one's life. It then mentions the importance of trust and faith, and how they can catch everyone.
The chorus repeats the sentiment of the song, emphasizing the importance of hope. The line "When I let go of hope, there's no one left to follow" seems to suggest that hope serves as a guide or direction, and without it, a person may feel lost. The next line, "There's nothing but the power to believe in me," highlights the significance of self-belief and the ability to rely on oneself to carry on. The final line, "I carry hope," reinforces the message of the song.
The second stanza focuses on the idea that there is no security in what is visible, and that tomorrow represents hope. The line "The wind carries the past, it whispers loud and fast" may mean that the past may influence a person's decisions, but it is essential to always look forward. The last line of the song, "This energy's filling me up / (My head held high) / Lift me up, lift me up, lift me up," ends the song on a positive note, with the idea that hope and energy can be transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
The power is in your hands, the dust will fall to sand
You have the ability to take control of your life and shape your own destiny. Everything that seems impossible will eventually fade away and become meaningless.
Gotta make this land your own
You must claim your place in the world and make it your own. This is where you belong and this is where you make your mark.
Must feel free to fall, trust will catch us all
You must take risks and be willing to fail in order to succeed. Trust in yourself and know that you have the power within to overcome any obstacle.
Faith calls out your name
Believe in yourself and be true to who you are. Have faith that you will find success and happiness in your own way.
When I let go of hope, there's no one left to follow
Without hope, there is no direction or guidance. You must find hope within yourself and believe in your own path.
There's nothing but the power to believe in me
The only thing left is the strength and willpower to believe in yourself and your own abilities.
I reach for what I know, when I can't see tomorrow
When the future is uncertain and unknown, you must trust in what you know and have learned so far. This will guide you through the darkness.
I carry hope
Despite any challenges or uncertainties, you always hold on to hope and believe in a brighter future.
There is no security in all it is we see
The things we think are secure and certain in life can easily change or disappear. Nothing is truly permanent or guaranteed.
Tomorrow is your hope
The future holds the promise of hope and new possibilities. You must never lose faith in the potential of tomorrow.
The wind carries the past, it whispers loud and fast
The memories of the past can haunt and overwhelm us, but they are fleeting and can be carried away by the wind. They cannot define who we are.
From days now gone, they never left
The past still exists within us and forms a part of who we are. It is a reminder of where we came from and what we've overcome.
I feel inside of me, it's lifting me out of sorrow
The hope and energy within us can lift us out of despair and sadness. It gives us the strength to keep going.
This energy's filling me up
The energy and hope within us is limitless and can fill us up with strength and positivity.
Lift me up, lift me up, lift me up
A plea to the universe to lift us up and give us strength when we need it the most. A reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.
When I let go of hope, there's no one left to follow
Reiteration of the message that without hope, we lose our sense of direction and purpose. We must always hold on to hope and believe in ourselves.
There's nothing but the power to believe in me
A reminder that we have the power within us to achieve our dreams and overcome any obstacle. All we need is the belief in ourselves.
I reach for what I know, when I cannot see tomorrow
When the future is uncertain, we must rely on our knowledge and intuition to guide us forward. We must trust ourselves and our capabilities.
I carry hope
A final declaration of the importance of hope and the strength it gives us to live our lives fully and without fear.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ILSE DE LANGE, PATRICK RAYMOND LEONARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind