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.
Clean Up
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just look at this mess
There's too much information
I can do with a little less
Everything's gotten out of hand
I need some space in here
I'm crowded up in no-time
And nothing's makin' any sense
Total chaos livin' there
Who takes responsibility
It is all so unclean
Nothin' left but to
Clean up, got to clean up my head
Throw out all the dark, let the light shine in instead
Free and, all the lies that I've been fed
Clean up, got to clean up my head
Enough insinuations
Let's deal with just the facts
You've created all this anyway
Get this monkey off my back
You're supposed to be the expert
Don't point your finger at me
(Ooh, ooh, ooh )
Clean up, got to clean up my head
Throw out all the dark, let the light shine in instead
Free and, all the lies that I've been fed
Clean up, got to clean up my head
It's not the money
It's not the fame
It's not even how you try to trash my name
It's time to clean the air with a little class
I'm movin' out and if you don't like it you can kiss my ass
Clean up, got to clean up my head
Throw out all the dark, let the light shine in instead
Free and, all the lies that I've been fed
Clean up, got to clean up my head
Clean up, got to clean up my head
Throw out all the dark, let the light shine in instead
Free and, all the lies that I've been fed
Clean up, got to clean up my
Clean up, got to clean up my
Clean up, got to clean up
Ilse DeLange's song "Clean Up" is about the chaos and confusion that the world is currently experiencing. The song is about the need to clear your mind and get rid of all the negative thoughts, information, and emotions that you have been feeding yourself. The first verse talks about how we are overwhelmed with too much information and that we need to declutter our minds to make sense of everything. The chorus talks about the need to throw out all the negativity and lies that we have been fed and to let in the light instead.
The second verse talks about how we need to deal with facts instead of insinuations and that we shouldn't let other people's negativity get to us. The bridge of the song talks about how it's not about money or fame, but about cleaning the air with a little bit of class. The last chorus repeats the need to clean up and let the light shine in.
Overall, "Clean Up" is a song about personal growth and the need to take care of your mental health in a world that constantly bombards you with negativity and chaos. It's a reminder to take responsibility for your thoughts and actions and to clean up the mess in your head.
Line by Line Meaning
What's all this confusion?
I am having trouble understanding what is happening.
Just look at this mess
The situation is chaotic and unorganized.
There's too much information
I am overwhelmed with the amount of information I am receiving.
I can do with a little less
I need to simplify my life and reduce the amount of information I receive.
Everything's gotten out of hand
The situation has become unmanageable.
I need some space in here
I need to create some physical or mental distance from this situation.
I'm crowded up in no-time
I am feeling suffocated and overwhelmed.
Opinions everywhere
There are too many people expressing their opinions.
And nothing's makin' any sense
I am having difficulty comprehending the situation.
Total chaos livin' there
The situation is completely out of control.
Who takes responsibility
It is unclear who is responsible for this situation.
It is all so unclean
The situation is messy and disorganized.
Nothin' left but to
I have no other choice but to take action.
Enough insinuations
I am tired of people hinting at things without stating them directly.
Let's deal with just the facts
We need to focus on the facts and not speculate.
You've created all this anyway
You are responsible for creating this situation.
Get this monkey off my back
I need to remove this burden or responsibility from myself.
You're supposed to be the expert
You are expected to have knowledge and expertise in this area.
Don't point your finger at me
Do not blame me for the situation.
It's not the money
Money is not the issue here.
It's not the fame
Fame or attention is not important in this situation.
It's not even how you try to trash my name
Attempts to defame or discredit me are not relevant.
It's time to clean the air with a little class
It is time to address the situation with maturity and dignity.
I'm movin' out and if you don't like it you can kiss my ass
I am taking control of the situation and leaving if necessary.
Clean up, got to clean up my head
I need to clear my mind and remove negative thoughts from my head.
Throw out all the dark, let the light shine in instead
I need to remove negative influences and embrace positivity.
Free and, all the lies that I've been fed
I need to stop believing falsehoods and live a more authentic life.
Clean up, got to clean up my
I need to take action to clear up the situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BLUE MILLER, ILSE DE LANGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind