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.
Bella Maria
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dan heb ik steeds verdriet
T' afscheid kwam onverwacht voor ons twee
Al die nachten alleen, koud en leeg, zoals voorheen
Ik weet niet hoe dit verder zal gaan
Bella maria
Kijk nog eens om
Bella maria
Als jij zou weten, wat ik voor je voel
Kom in mijn armen, verliefd net als toen
Als het leven zo is
Soms met pijn, melancholie
Komt een dag dat het beter zal gaan
Jij bent steeds in mijn hart, ben ik ook nog bij jou
Zal de taal van de liefde vergaan
Bella maria
Kijk nog eens om
Bella maria
Zeg mij waarom
Als jij zou weten, wat ik voor je voel
Kom in mijn armen, verliefd net als toen
Jij bent voor mij de liefste meid
Waar ik nog steeds van hou
Blijf jij bij mij, voor altijd bij mij
Bella maria
Kijk nog eens om
Bella maria
Zeg mij waarom
Als jij zou weten, wat ik voor je voel
Kom in mijn armen, verliefd net als toen
The song "Bella Maria" by Jan Smit is a poignant tale of lost love and the yearning to rekindle the flames of a past relationship. The singer laments the unexpected departure of his lover, expressing the pain and loneliness that he feels since their parting. He yearns for her to return, to look back once more, and to tell him why she left. He confesses that he is still in love with her and implores her to come back to him, so they can embrace each other and be in love once again.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of hopelessness and melancholy, as the singer struggles to come to terms with the possibility of never being with his beloved again. He acknowledges the inevitability of time and change, but he still clings to the hope that they might be reunited. The lyrics are filled with powerful emotion and a deep sense of longing, making the song a touching tribute to lost love and the enduring power of memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Als ik jou soms weer zie
Whenever I catch a glimpse of you
Dan heb ik steeds verdriet
I'm overwhelmed with sadness
T' afscheid kwam onverwacht voor ons twee
Saying goodbye to each other came as a surprise to the both of us
Al die nachten alleen, koud en leeg, zoals voorheen
All those nights spent alone, feeling cold and empty, just like before
Ik weet niet hoe dit verder zal gaan
I'm unsure where this will all lead
Bella maria
Beautiful Maria
Kijk nog eens om
Look back one more time
Zeg mij waarom
Tell me why
Als jij zou weten, wat ik voor je voel
If only you knew how I feel about you
Kom in mijn armen, verliefd net als toen
Come into my arms, let's be in love like we were before
Als het leven zo is
If life is like this
Soms met pijn, melancholie
Sometimes full of pain and melancholy
Komt een dag dat het beter zal gaan
But there will come a day when things will get better
Jij bent steeds in mijn hart, ben ik ook nog bij jou
You will always be in my heart, and I hope I'm still in yours
Zal de taal van de liefde vergaan
The language of love will never fade away
Jij bent voor mij de liefste meid
You are the sweetest girl to me
Waar ik nog steeds van hou
I still love you
Blijf jij bij mij, voor altijd bij mij
Will you stay with me, forever by my side?
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vesnacovo9896
Wunderschönes Lied. Fantastische Stimme hat diese hübsche Jan.❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘.
@latrerosa6355
Prachtig ❤️🤗😍
@uthn8759
Zauberhaft schön ❤️😍🙋♀️
@janrutgers665
Welkom op dit seizoen ik bij Jan uit Den Haag hoi allemaal
@reginabalschun1711
Ein sehr schönes Lied zum träumen 😘👍
@christachristiaens8920
Mooie liedje prachtig jan
@kOalaAndy
Bella madonna maria😍
@monicas6750
😘❤cool
@marinkarutkauskiene7622
Patinka dainu įrašai aš
@marinkarutkauskiene7622
Aš aš aš pasiilgau