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.
Next To Me
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m trying, but I’m still so new to this
I’m learning that I need to
Let it, let it, let it be
I’m scared that somehow I will mess it up
That my faith in love will never be enough
But your voice picks me up and
And every time I try to see
I am losing sight of what is really there
I just wanna feel like a ship on the ocean
Flying like a bird, floating in the air
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
We can end up anywhere
You can be the anchor that keeps me grounded
You can be my song, and my summer breeze
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
Don’t care where we’re going
As long as you are next to me
You’re strong, it’s everything I’m leaning on
Your hands, they keep pulling me along
If you show me, I promise I am
Listening, listen, listening
Feels crazy, but I think we’re breaking ground
This love is something we have simply found
Let’s put it somewhere we can
Keep it, keep, keep it, keep it safe
‘Cause when I’m holding on too tight
I am missing out on what is really there
I just wanna feel like a ship on the ocean
Flying like a bird, floating in the air
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
We can end up anywhere
You can be the anchor that keeps me grounded
You can be my song, and my summer breeze
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
Don’t care where we’re going
As long as you are next to me
As long as you are next to me
As long as you are next to me
I just wanna feel like a ship on the ocean
Flying like a bird, floating in the air
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
We can end up anywhere
You can be the anchor that keeps me grounded
You can be my song, and my summer breeze
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
Don’t care where we’re going
As long as you are next to me
As long as you are next to me
The song "Next To Me" is a love song that talks about the fear of making mistakes in a new relationship, but also the comfort that comes with having someone who is supportive and encouraging. The song starts with the singer asking for forgiveness, acknowledging that she is still new to the relationship and may not always get things right, but she is learning to let go and allow things to be as they are. The fear of messing things up is something that she grapples with, but the voice of her partner reassures her and picks her up when she is down.
The lyrics also express the desire to be free, to feel like a ship on the ocean or a bird flying in the air without any specific destination in mind. It is not about where they go, but who they go with that matters. The partner is the anchor that keeps the singer grounded, but also the song and the summer breeze that bring joy and happiness. The two do not need to chase after anything, but as long as they are together, everything will be alright.
The song ends with the repeated assertion that as long as the partner is next to her, then everything will be fine, and they can go anywhere.
Line by Line Meaning
Forgive me if I seem a little careless
I acknowledge that I may not always be the best at this, but I hope you can forgive me for my mistakes.
I’m trying, but I’m still so new to this
I am doing my best, but I am still learning and growing.
I’m learning that I need to
I am realizing the importance of...
Let it, let it, let it be
...letting things go and not holding onto them too tightly.
I’m scared that somehow I will mess it up
I am afraid that I will make a mistake or somehow ruin what we have.
That my faith in love will never be enough
I worry that my love and belief in our relationship will not be strong enough to overcome any difficulties.
But your voice picks me up and
However, when I hear your voice...
Rescues, rescues, rescues me
...it lifts me up and helps me feel better.
And every time I try to see
When I attempt to understand or analyze...
I am losing sight of what is really there
...I end up losing sight of the present moment and what truly matters.
I just wanna feel like a ship on the ocean
I desire to feel free and unencumbered, like a ship roaming the seas.
Flying like a bird, floating in the air
I also want to feel light and carefree, like a bird soaring through the sky.
We don’t need to chase any destination, baby
I do not believe it is necessary to have a specific goal or endpoint in mind for our relationship.
We can end up anywhere
I am open to wherever our journey takes us.
You can be the anchor that keeps me grounded
You have the ability to provide stability and a sense of security for me.
You can be my song, and my summer breeze
You can bring me joy and happiness, like a beautiful melody or a refreshing summer breeze.
Don’t care where we’re going
I am not concerned about our final destination...
As long as you are next to me
...as long as we are together, that is all that matters.
You’re strong, it’s everything I’m leaning on
I rely on your strength and support to get through difficult times.
Your hands, they keep pulling me along
Your guidance and assistance help me move forward and progress in our relationship.
If you show me, I promise I am
If you help me understand or teach me...
Listening, listen, listening
...I promise to actively listen and engage with what you are saying.
Feels crazy, but I think we’re breaking ground
It may seem overwhelming or unexpected, but I believe we are making progress and moving forward in our relationship.
This love is something we have simply found
Our love for each other is a natural and genuine discovery.
Let’s put it somewhere we can
Let's place our love...
Keep it, keep, keep it, keep it safe
...in a safe and secure place, so it can continue to grow and flourish.
Contributed by Lillian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
milou van kasteren
echt een mooi nummer, het is echt met gevoel, ik krijg steeds maar weer kippenvel. Echt top. Ook de lyrics video is mooi gemaakt trouwens< echt goed getimed met de tekst, echt geweldig! :)
Eva Anne
ilse delange is gewoon de allerbeste zangeres van nederland!!!!!!!! ik heb 3 cd's, een tshirt en een handtekenig :D
Teddy Slikker
LoveThisSong<3
Anouk Wolf
mijn liedje!!! <3
Anna —
echt mooi kan het wel 1000x draaien!!
Quintyx33
Super mooi lied !! xx Hoe heb je dat gemaakt?
Noa Knorringa
met welk programma heb je dit gemaakt?
Quintyx33
Ik bedoelde het filmpje, het liedje snap ik ook wel .
Yvanca Doldersum
doen we met band (L) lovely number groetjes yvanca