Smit was discovered by Dutch middle of the road band BZN, who used his vocals in a duet called Mama. He has released several albums in Dutch and German since.
Jan dedicated the song Ik zing dit lied voor jou alleen (means: I Sing this song just for you) to his grandmother. In 1997, Smit toured South Africa with popular Afrikaans singer Nádine. In 2000, Smit won the Grand Prix der Volksmusik singing Ich zeig dir die Berge with Oswald Sattler for South Tyrol. In 2001 Smit won the Exportprijs for his success in Germany, France and Italy. In Germany he became one of the best selling Dutch artists ever, with German-language albums specifically aimed at the German market.
After three big hits in the late 90's, Jan's popularity began to wane gradually. His albums Jan Smit 2000 #32 (2000), Zing en Lach (Sing and Laugh) #33 (2001), Zonder Jou (Without You) #40 and Op Eigen Benen (On My Own Feet) #45 sold fewer copies than his first two albums from his child star era.
However, Jan was still very popular in Germany, where he spent most of his time touring. 2005 marked his comeback in his home country, when regional television host Willie Oosterhuis picked up a Jan Smit song recorded in 2003, 'Als de nacht verdwijnt' ('When the night is over'). Willie heavily plugged the song on his show, resulting in a medium sized hit.
During the same period Dutch broadcaster TROS wanted to produce a real life soap about Jan, with the focus on his life as a teenage star in Germany and The Netherlands, and on his private life in the picturesque seaside village of Volendam. The reality soap became a TV hit and an accompanying album, 'Vrienden voor het leven' ('Homies for life') brought Jan back at the top of the charts for the first time in a few years. It was written for his cousin Niek Smit(s), who lives in Maastricht.
In 2006 Smit had several big selling hit singles, such as 'Laura' (about a friend who died of cancer), 'Als de morgen is gekomen' ('When the morning has come') and 'Cupido' (Cupid). Jan usually includes special tracks on his CD singles, such as live recordings, previously unreleased tracks and CD-ROM-content, which makes his singles more interesting for his hardcore fanbase. In 2007 he topped the single charts again with "Op Weg Naar Geluk" (On The Road To Happiness) and with "Dan Volg Je Haar Benen" ('And then you check out her legs'), and the album charts also with the album "Op Weg Naar Geluk" (the album sold 160.000 copies in its first four days after being released, more than double platinum).
In 2006 he also recorded "Kerst voor Iedereen" (Christmas for Everyone) which was a Christmas-duet with Dutch tv-host Bridget Maasland as a part of Dutch tv-show Katja vs Bridget. He later on recorded this song with his younger sister Monique Smit, who recently also started a singing career
In 2007 he planned to tour the Netherlands again with the "Jan Smit Komt Naar Je Toe"-tour (Jan Smit Comes To You) but due to problems with his vocal cords this tour had to be postponed. For at least 6 months Jan Smit has to rest his voice.
'Dan volg je haar benen' was Jan's fifth Number One single in The Netherlands, making him one of the most successful soloists in Dutch chart history. Only George Michael and Dutch singer Marco Borsato had more Number Ones.
1 Minuut Met Jou
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waarin ik alles nog een vragen zou
Want sinds jij er niet meer bent verlang ik elk moment
Naar al was het maar 1 minuut met jou
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou waarin ik jou nog eens bedanken zou
Al had ik iets stoms gedaan je bleef achter me staan
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou
Om te horen wat jij denkt als ik het eventjes niet meer weet
Als ik twijfel over dingen zie ik jou
Die ene blik of een gebaar onze discussies met elkaar
Was je nu toch maar hier voor even maar
Dan zou ik je bestoken met alles en nog meer
Je stevig omarmen voor de laatse keer
Heel even maar heel eventjes maar
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou waarin ik jou nog 1 keer zeggen zou
Dat er geen dag voor me is dat ik je zonder dat ik je even mis
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou
Dan zou ik je bestoken met alles en nog meer
Je stevig omarmen voor de laatse keer
Heel even maar heel eventjes maar
The lyrics of Jan Smit's song "1 Minuut Met Jou" convey a deep sense of longing and regret for not having more time with a loved one who is no longer present. The opening lines express a strong desire for just one more minute with that person, a minute in which the singer would ask all the questions they never got the chance to ask before. The absence of the loved one has intensified the singer's yearning, to the point where even a single minute with them would be precious and cherished.
The second verse delves into the theme of gratitude and appreciation, as the singer reflects on how they would use that minute to express thanks to the loved one for their unwavering support, even in moments when they may have made mistakes. The idea of wanting just one more minute to convey these feelings underscores the importance of expressing love and gratitude while one still has the chance.
The following stanza paints a picture of seeking guidance and reassurance from the absent loved one in times of uncertainty. The singer longs to hear the loved one's thoughts when they are feeling lost or indecisive, highlighting the comfort and wisdom the loved one brought to their life. The mention of shared moments like discussions and gestures adds depth to the relationship, showing the impact the loved one had on the singer's life.
The final repetition of the desire for one more minute with the loved one brings the song full circle, emphasizing the relentless feeling of missing them every day. The imagery of wanting to express overwhelming emotions, to hold onto them one last time, resonates with the raw emotion of grief and longing. The repeated refrain of "heel even maar, heel eventjes maar" encapsulates the fleeting nature of time and the overwhelming desire for just a brief moment more with the person who holds such significance in the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou
If only I had 1 more minute with you
Waarin ik alles nog een vragen zou
Where I could still ask you everything
Want sinds jij er niet meer bent verlang ik elk moment
Because since you're no longer here, I long for every moment
Naar al was het maar 1 minuut met jou
For even if it was only 1 minute with you
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou waarin ik jou nog eens bedanken zou
If only I had 1 more minute with you to thank you once again
Al had ik iets stoms gedaan je bleef achter me staan
Even if I did something silly, you'd still stand by me
Om te horen wat jij denkt als ik het eventjes niet meer weet
To hear what you think when I'm feeling lost
Als ik twijfel over dingen zie ik jou
When I doubt things, I see you
Die ene blik of een gebaar onze discussies met elkaar
That one look or gesture, our discussions together
Was je nu toch maar hier voor even maar
If only you were here for just a moment
Dan zou ik je bestoken met alles en nog meer
Then I would bombard you with everything and more
Je stevig omarmen voor de laatse keer
Embrace you tightly for the last time
Heel even maar heel eventjes maar
Just for a moment, just a short while
Dat er geen dag voor me is dat ik je zonder dat ik je even mis
That there's not a day that goes by without missing you
Had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou
If only I had 1 more minute with you
Lyrics © CTM Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JAN SMIT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karin B.
Dit is zo herkenbaar....zelfs al ben je iemand al 20 jaar geleden kwijtgeraakt. Heel mooi en puur gezongen. Fijn dat ik erbij mocht zijn❤
Lin
Ik kan niks anders dan alleen maar " wauw" zeggen! Wat een prachtig eerbetoon ! Rust zacht Jaap
Dees 0918792
een heel mooi lied, mooi gezongen met veel emoties in je stem.
JM Mulder
Kippenvel en een brok in mn keel, dit is echt vol liefde gebracht <3
Annemieke Rietdijk
Het is en blijft een mooie emotionele nummer!! Een mooie herinnering aan al onze dierbare! <3 <3
Samuel van der Meij
Mooie tekst, mooi gezongen, gevoelig, echt super dit
Milena Micielska
Piękna piosenka :-) Pozdrawiam Ciebie Jan 😘😘
petra de man
Prachtig Jan, woorden schieten me tekort !! zo ontzettend mooi gezongen !!! ga er zo van mee huilen
Marion
Kippenvel van hoofd tot teen. Denk dat ieder mens dit herkend , had ik nog maar 1 minuut met jou. Mooi gedaan Jan, een prachtig eerbetoon. 👍🏻
Wilbert Herckenrath
Jan ! Prachtig gezongen ! Echt top !!