Johannes Hendricus Maria "Jan" Smit (born December 31, 1985) is a Dutch pop… Read Full Bio ↴Johannes Hendricus Maria "Jan" Smit (born December 31, 1985) is a Dutch pop music and schlager singer. He scored his first number one position in the Dutch charts with Ik zing dit lied voor jou alleen (I sing this song only for you) in 1997. Being 12 years of age back then, he was known as Jantje Smit.

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.

Altijd Jij
Jan Smit Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tikkend op de ruiten
Niemand zie je buiten
Ik slaak een dikke zucht
Het valt met bakken uit de lucht

Wegen vol met water
Daarom ben ik later
Wel een beetje nat

Dus kan gelijk met jou in bad

Refrein:
Maar zelfs de regen
Houdt mij niet tegen
Op de lange weg naar huis
Nog even dan ben ik weer thuis
Om jou te strelen
De nacht te delen
Die gedachten maakt me blij
Er is er een en dat ben altijd jij

Bijna alle dagen
Bleef ik aan je vragen
Deze keer met mij
Vandaar dat ik naar jou toe rij

Zonder al dat water
Was ik daar niet later
Zeker niet zo nat
Kan nu gelijk met jou in bad

Refrein:
Maar zelfs de regen
Houdt mij niet tegen
Op de lange weg naar huis
Nog even dan ben ik weer thuis
Om jou te strelen
De nacht te delen
Die gedachten maakt me blij
Er is er een en dat ben altijd jij

Jij bent de droom voor mij
Die steeds opnieuw begint
Ooit komt die uit als ik
In jou de ware vind

Refrein:
Maar zelfs de regen
Houdt mij niet tegen
Op de lange weg naar huis
Nog even dan ben ik weer thuis
Om jou te strelen
De nacht te delen

Die gedachten maakt me blij
Er is er een en dat ben altijd jij

Overall Meaning

The song Altijd Jij by Jan Smit is a love song that speaks about the power of love and the depth of feelings that the singer has for his partner. The rain pouring outside and the flooded streets do not deter him from making his way to his loved one's side. Despite the obstacles that he encounters on his way, he knows that he will always end up in his partner's embrace. The lyrics showcase a strong sense of commitment and dedication to the relationship, with the singer expressing his desire to share his life with his partner, no matter what the circumstances may be.

The opening lines create a sense of loneliness and isolation, with the singer looking out at the rain and feeling a sense of despair. However, his thoughts soon turn to his partner, who brings him comfort and joy. He is willing to face the challenges of the outside world to be with the person he loves, and this devotion shines through in the lyrics. The chorus is particularly moving, as the singer declares that nothing can stop him from being with his partner. The song builds to a crescendo as the melody becomes more emotive, and the lyrics celebrate the power of true love.

Line by Line Meaning

Tikkend op de ruiten
Raindrops tapping on the windows

Niemand zie je buiten
No one can be seen outside

Ik slaak een dikke zucht
I let out a deep sigh

Het valt met bakken uit de lucht
It's pouring down heavily

Wegen vol met water
Roads are filled with water

Daarom ben ik later
That's why I'm running late

Wel een beetje nat
I'm a bit wet

Dus kan gelijk met jou in bad
So I can join you in the bath right away

Maar zelfs de regen
Even the rain

Houdt mij niet tegen
Doesn't stop me

Op de lange weg naar huis
On the long road home