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.
Als je lacht
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'T is alsof ik even niet besta.
Vogels fluiten niet zoals voorheen.
In een volle stad en toch alleen.
Maar oeh als je lacht,
zijn m'n wonden weer geheeld.
Oeh als je lacht,
Worden hart en hoofd en ziel opnieuw gestreeld.
Geef mij heel even dan,
dat gevoel waar ik niet zonder kan.
Want je weet dat ik nooit zo verder kan leven.
Toe laat mij even dan,
nog een nacht waaraan ik denken kan.
Want je bent voor mij de wereld waarin ik leef.
Honderdduizend mensen om me heen.
Dolend in een park en toch alleen.
Maar oeh als je lacht,
zijn m'n wonden weer geheeld.
Oeh als je lacht,
Worden hart en hoofd en ziel opnieuw gestreeld.
Geef mij heel even dan,
dat gevoel waar ik niet zonder kan.
Want je weet dat ik nooit zo verder kan leven.
Toe laat mij even dan,
nog een nacht waaraan ik denken kan.
Want je bent voor mij de wereld waarin ik leef.
Oh breng me dan naar waar ik verder leven kan.
Met alles wat ik eerder had.
Want oeh als je lacht,
zijn m'n wonden weer geheeld.
Oeh als je lacht,
worden hart en hoofd en ziel opnieuw gestreeld.
Geef mij heel even dan,
dat gevoel waar ik niet zonder kan.
Want je weet dat ik nooit zo verder kan leven.
Toe laat mij even dan,
nog een nacht waaraan ik denken kan.
Want je bent voor mij de wereld waarin ik leef.
In Jan Smit's song "Als je lacht," the singer describes feeling alone and ignored in a crowded city. The streets are empty and birds don't sing the way they used to. Despite the loneliness, the singer finds healing and comfort when seeing the person they love smile. The simple act of their laughter can mend their emotional wounds and bring joy to their heart, mind, and soul. The singer begs for even a moment of this feeling because they can't go on living without it, and their loved one is the world they live in.
The lyrics of this song speak to the human need and desire for connection, even in bustling cities where we may be surrounded by people, we can still feel incredibly alone. The power of a simple, genuine smile can bring so much healing and happiness to our lives. It's a reminder to cherish the people we love and find joy in their presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Leeg zijn alle straten waar ik ga.
Every street I walk on feels empty.
'T is alsof ik even niet besta.
It's as if I don't exist for a moment.
Vogels fluiten niet zoals voorheen.
The birds don't sing like they used to.
In een volle stad en toch alleen.
Even though I'm in a crowded city, I feel alone.
Maar oeh als je lacht,
But oh when you laugh,
zijn m'n wonden weer geheeld.
My wounds are healed.
Worden hart en hoofd en ziel opnieuw gestreeld.
My heart, mind, and soul are touched again.
Geef mij heel even dan,
Give me just a moment,
dat gevoel waar ik niet zonder kan.
That feeling I can't live without.
Want je weet dat ik nooit zo verder kan leven.
You know I can't keep going like this.
Toe laat mij even dan,
Please let me have just a little bit,
nog een nacht waaraan ik denken kan.
One more night I can remember.
Want je bent voor mij de wereld waarin ik leef.
Because for me, you're the world I live in.
Honderdduizend mensen om me heen.
There are a hundred thousand people around me.
Dolend in een park en toch alleen.
Wandering in a park, yet feeling alone.
Oh breng me dan naar waar ik verder leven kan.
Oh, take me where I can keep living.
Met alles wat ik eerder had.
With everything I had before.
Want oeh als je lacht,
Because oh when you laugh,
zijn m'n wonden weer geheeld.
My wounds are healed.
Worden hart en hoofd en ziel opnieuw gestreeld.
My heart, mind, and soul are touched again.
Geef mij heel even dan,
Give me just a moment,
dat gevoel waar ik niet zonder kan.
That feeling I can't live without.
Want je weet dat ik nooit zo verder kan leven.
You know I can't keep going like this.
Toe laat mij even dan,
Please let me have just a little bit,
nog een nacht waaraan ik denken kan.
One more night I can remember.
Want je bent voor mij de wereld waarin ik leef.
Because for me, you're the world I live in.
Contributed by Ryan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.