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.
I Still Cry
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While darkness takes the afternoon
I know that they won't last forever
But real ones fade away to soon
I still cry sometimes when I remember you
I still cry sometimes when I hear your name
I said goodbye and I know you're alright now
It's just that I recall September
It's just that I still hear your song
It's just I can't seem to remember
Forever more those days are gone
I still cry sometimes when I remember you
I still cry sometimes when I hear your name
I said goodbye and I know you're alright now
But when the leaves start falling down I still cry
I still cry sometimes when I remember you
I still cry sometimes when I hear your name
I said goodbye and I know you're alright now
But when the leaves start falling down I still cry
But when the leaves start falling down I still cry
The lyrics to Ilse DeLange's "I Still Cry" are a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of loss and the painful process of moving on. The opening lines immediately set the tone, as the singer takes solace in the small act of creating something beautiful in the face of darkness. The metaphor of creating flowers out of paper suggests a sense of longing; a desire to hold onto something that is fleeting and fallible. While the flowers may not last forever, the singer is still able to find beauty and meaning within them.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is still processing the loss of someone significant. The repetition of the phrase "I still cry" underscores the depth of this grief, and the way it continues to affect the singer long after the person has passed. The line "when I hear your name" speaks to the way that small triggers can bring back memories and emotions, even when the person has tried to move on.
Despite the pain and sadness that comes with remembering, the final line of the song suggests a sense of acceptance. The leaves falling down could be seen as a metaphor for the changing seasons of life; a reminder that things are always in motion, and that nothing lasts forever. The fact that the singer still cries during this time suggests that they haven't fully moved on, but the acceptance of this fact is a small step in the right direction.
Overall, "I Still Cry" is a poignant and relatable reminder of the long-lasting effects of loss, and the way that those we love continue to impact us even after they are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm making flowers out of paper
I'm trying to create something beautiful out of nothing, to distract myself from the darkness and sorrow around me.
While darkness takes the afternoon
As the day progresses, the feeling of emptiness and sadness grows stronger.
I know that they won't last forever
These paper flowers won't last, just as good memories and happy moments eventually fade.
But real ones fade away too soon
Real flowers, like real love and real happiness, also don't last forever and can disappear unexpectedly.
It's just that I recall September
September is a reminder of a past time of happiness, now lost.
It's just that I still hear your song
The memory of the person I miss is still alive in my mind, and the sound of their voice echoes in my ears.
It's just I can't seem to remember
I can't seem to forget or move on from what once was, even though it's something I know I should do.
Forever more those days are gone
Those happy, carefree times are now a thing of the past, and they can never be recaptured.
I still cry sometimes when I remember you
Even though I've said goodbye, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by emotions when I think of you.
I still cry sometimes when I hear your name
Hearing your name is like a sharp knife in my heart, reopening old wounds and bringing back memories I thought I had buried.
I said goodbye and I know you're alright now
I let you go, and I hope that you're happy and at peace.
But when the leaves start falling down I still cry
Fall is a reminder of change and endings, and it's a trigger for me to feel sad and mourn the loss of what once was.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JULIE ANNE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
raerae1985
I remember finding this song after losing my mother. Losing her left me feeling so crushed, so lost, and lonely. This song made me feel less so. It's been 8 years, 8 months, and 6 days, but sometimes, I still cry. The difference now, is that I've healed.
Mir33
Beautiful description 🤗
Moment tonight just brought me to this song. Special... Its so old!
Zhivko Marinov
Touching heart song.
Shanda Pruett
I lost my mother june 9th and I'm still healing. I just love this song.
Edda Marie
@raerae1985 there's so much hope in it. Thanks for answering 3 years after your first comment!
raerae1985
@Edda Marie ♥️
brokenhearted gal
AMAZING voice...AMAZING words...AMAZING music!!
Javier Reyes
Beautiful and haunting. What a wonderful talent. Always make me cry.
TheunknownTurkey
Beautiful song that reflects how many bereaved people feel about their deceased loved ones. Good stuff!
Philip Anania
This song was written by Julie Miller. Wonderful song! Sometimes the perfect artist and the perfect song meet. I think Ilse is the perfect artist for this song. This is simply stellar! I cannot imagine this song being delivered any better. I keep wondering why Ilse is not a huge star in America.