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.
Paper Plane
Ilse DeLange Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that doesn’t mean that I’m unsatisfied
Coming from the rivers and the open spaces
I have been a child under painted skies
I don’t wanna be the one that rests in safety
Dancing on the edge of a borderline
Searching for adventure and a different playground
Feeling like a little girl that plays with water
Take it everywhere, never mind the mess
I was feeling filthy rich with just three quarters
Happy hunting, bouncing heart inside my chest, inside my chest
Oh oh, fold a paper plane, come fly me through the grey, to a color rainbow
Oh oh, how far can I go, throw me like stone, skipping cross the water
La la la la la
Palm tree, rodeo, starry pavement
Tinsel town, tumbleweed, rolling dice
The Grand Canyon whispers to the gold rush mountains
Waterfall, sugar cane, paradise, paradise
Oh oh, fold a paper plane, come fly me through the grey, to a color rainbow
Oh oh, how far can I go, throw me like stone, skipping cross the water
La la la la la
The river’s wide
It can be wider baby
Just don’t you hide away your longing, longing
Oh oh, fold a paper plane, fly me through the grey, to a color rainbow
Oh oh, how far can I go, throw me like stone skipping cross the water
Oh oh, canvas on the floor, I paint an open door to the secret places
Oh oh, nowhere I won’t go, far beyond the road to the lost horizon
La la la la, how far can I go
La la la la, like a skipping stone
La la la la, far beyond the road
La la la la
The lyrics to Ilse DeLange's song Paper Plane delve into the complexity of being a person who craves adventure and new experiences, but also grapples with the fear of the unknown. The singer describes themselves as someone who is always reaching for the "higher places," but that doesn't mean they are unsatisfied with where they are. They come from a childhood filled with beauty and awe of the world around them, represented by "painted skies."
The chorus of the song, which repeats throughout, is a call to action for the singer to fold a paper plane and fly through the grey to a color rainbow. This resonates deeply with the theme of the song as the paper plane represents the willingness to take risks and try new things, even if there's no guaranteed success. The bridge of the song brings up the idea that the river can be wider, and that the singer shouldn't hide their longing for adventure.
Overall, Paper Plane is a beautiful tribute to the human desire for exploration and the willingness to take risks in the pursuit of something greater. It acknowledges the fear that comes with taking chances, but ultimately encourages the listener to embrace the unknown and fly towards their own "color rainbow."
Line by Line Meaning
Always reaching out for the higher places
I have a constant drive to aim for new and greater things.
But that doesn’t mean that I’m unsatisfied
Despite always striving for more, I am content with what I have in the moment.
Coming from the rivers and the open spaces
I grew up surrounded by nature.
I have been a child under painted skies
I have fond memories of watching beautiful sunsets and sunrises as a child.
I don’t wanna be the one that rests in safety
I don't want to stick to the familiar and comfortable, but instead venture into the unknown.
Dancing on the edge of a borderline
I am pushing the limits and taking risks.
Searching for adventure and a different playground
I am constantly seeking new experiences and challenges.
Unfamiliar tapestry, a newborn sound, a newborn sound, a newborn sound
I am drawn to new and different things and find excitement in the unknown.
Feeling like a little girl that plays with water
I feel youthful and playful when doing things that bring me joy.
Take it everywhere, never mind the mess
I am carefree and don't worry about making a mess as long as I am having fun.
I was feeling filthy rich with just three quarters
I don't need a lot to be happy and feel fulfilled.
Happy hunting, bouncing heart inside my chest, inside my chest
I am filled with excitement and passion as I pursue my goals.
Oh oh, fold a paper plane, come fly me through the grey, to a color rainbow
I am looking for someone to join me on my adventures and show me new perspectives.
Oh oh, how far can I go, throw me like stone, skipping cross the water
I am ready and willing to take risks and see how far I can push myself.
Palm tree, rodeo, starry pavement
I associate these things with a sense of adventure and excitement.
Tinsel town, tumbleweed, rolling dice
I am drawn to the excitement and unpredictability of the unknown.
The Grand Canyon whispers to the gold rush mountains
The natural world speaks to my adventurous spirit.
Waterfall, sugar cane, paradise, paradise
I am attracted to places that bring me joy and a sense of peace.
The river’s wide
There is so much to explore and discover in life.
It can be wider baby
I am always seeking more and know that there is always room for growth and exploration.
Just don’t you hide away your longing, longing
I encourage others to embrace their desires and take risks in the pursuit of their dreams.
Oh oh, canvas on the floor, I paint an open door to the secret places
I am an artist, creating and exploring new worlds through my imagination.
Oh oh, nowhere I won’t go, far beyond the road to the lost horizon
I am willing to go to great lengths to pursue my dreams and explore the unknown.
La la la la, how far can I go
I am excited to see how far I can push myself and what new experiences await me.
La la la la, like a skipping stone
I am light and carefree, skipping from adventure to adventure.
La la la la, far beyond the road
I know that my journey is far from over and there is much more to explore and experience.
Contributed by Bentley H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MaximeMei
Oh dit is een live versie. Ik hoop dat ze dit ook in Gelredome zingt!
Sanne Gommers
Ja sorry dit is idd een live versie! Ik ga ook naar het Gelredome op 26-4-'11..