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.
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu Jung
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
doch mein Vater sagt er schickt ein bisschen Geld für diese große Not, dass reicht für's tägliche Brot
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu jung ...
weil ich das nicht verstehen kann die Welt ist groß und reich, gibt's nicht genug für jeder Mann
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu jung ...
ich will hier nicht ruhen wenn ich daran was ändern könnt dann würd ich's heut noch tun.
Und hier ganz nah im Flugzeug nur 2 Stunden weit, da liegt ein Land man sagt es wär so wunderschön doch die Menschen dort die finden keine ruh, müssen Krieger sein, fällt euch nichts besseres ein.
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu jung ...
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu jung ...
ich will hier nicht ruhen wenn ich daran was ändern könnt dann würd ich's heut noch tuen.
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu jung ...
kann ich jemals was ändern.
The lyrics of Jan Smit's song "Bin ich dafür noch viel zu Jung" reflect the frustration and helplessness felt by a young person who sees the inequalities and injustices in the world, particularly in Africa. The singer describes a child in Africa who is the same age as he is, but whose life is much harder due to poverty and lack of resources. Although the singer's father sends some money to help with basic necessities, the singer feels that this is not enough and wonders why the world is so unequal.
The singer also mentions another country that is supposedly beautiful, but where the people are constantly at war and unable to find peace. The lack of solutions and alternatives to this violence frustrates the singer even further. He struggles with the question of whether he is too young to make a difference, and whether he can ever hope to change anything.
Line by Line Meaning
In Afrika da lebt ein Kind so jung wie ich, es ist so arm das leben fält ihm wirklich schwer,
There is a child in Africa as young as I am, struggling with poverty and hardships
doch mein Vater sagt er schickt ein bisschen Geld für diese große Not, dass reicht für's tägliche Brot
My father sends a little money to help provide basic necessities to those in need
Bin ich dafür noch viel zu jung ...
Am I too young to understand the world's inequalities and to make a difference?
weil ich das nicht verstehen kann die Welt ist groß und reich, gibt's nicht genug für jeder Mann
It is difficult for me to comprehend how, in such a large and prosperous world, there isn't enough for everyone
ich will hier nicht ruhen wenn ich daran was ändern könnt dann würd ich's heut noch tun.
I am determined to take action and make a difference instead of remaining idle
Und hier ganz nah im Flugzeug nur 2 Stunden weit, da liegt ein Land man sagt es wär so wunderschön doch die Menschen dort die finden keine ruh, müssen Krieger sein, fällt euch nichts besseres ein.
Only two hours away by plane there is a beautiful country with people constantly in turmoil, forced to be warriors because of lack of options
kann ich jemals was ändern.
Will I ever be able to make a significant change?
Contributed by Eliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.