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.
De straten van Athene
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dit is mijn doel.
Jij geeft mij zo'n vertrouwd gevoel.
'k Moet met je praten.
Ik spreek je aan.
Voel hoe de vonken over slaan.
Ik neem je mee,
Naar de zonsondergang.
Samen aan zee,
De hele avond lang.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Loop ik hand in hand met jou hier aan mijn zij.
Voor de droomreis van mijn leven,
Heb ik alles opgegeven,
Om vanavond hier alleen met jou te zijn.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Waar eenieder altijd vrolijk naar je lacht.
Beleef ik zoveel avonturen,
Maak ik liefdes overuren,
En dat alles in die ene Griekse nacht.
't Is heel bijzonder.
Precies op tijd.
Zo uit het niets word ik verblijd.
'k Ben overdondert, door romantiek.
Wij twee met rozen en muziek.
Ik neem je mee,
Naar de zonsondergang.
Samen aan zee,
De hele avond lang.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Loop ik hand in hand met jou hier aan mijn zij.
Voor de droomreis van mijn leven,
Heb ik alles opgegeven,
Om vanavond hier alleen met jou te zijn.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Waar eenieder altijd vrolijk naar je lacht.
Beleef ik zoveel avonturen,
Maak ik liefdes overuren,
En dat alles in die ene Griekse nacht. (3x)
The song "De straten van Athene" by Jan Smit is a romantic and dreamy song about the singer taking his love interest to the stunning streets of Athens, Greece. The first verse sets the stage for the story, with the singer feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his feelings for his companion and wanting to take her to a beautiful destination where they can connect. The second verse describes their journey to Athens, where they stroll hand in hand through the picturesque streets, surrounded by happy people, and enjoying a night full of love and adventure.
The chorus is the repeated refrain of the song and talks about how the singer has given up everything to be with his love in Athens. The bridge is a moment where the singer expresses his surprise and gratefulness for the romantic experience he's having, with roses and music as accompaniment. The song captures the magic and wonder of falling in love in a foreign place, and the ecstasy of being with someone who makes it all worth it.
Line by Line Meaning
Zonder te denken.
I am acting without thinking.
Dit is mijn doel.
My goal is to be with you.
Jij geeft mij zo'n vertrouwd gevoel.
You give me a feeling of comfort and familiarity.
'k Moet met je praten.
I have to talk to you.
Voel hoe de vonken over slaan.
Feel the sparks flying between us.
Ik neem je mee,
Naar de zonsondergang.
Samen aan zee,
De hele avond lang.
I will take you to the sunset and spend the evening with you by the sea.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Loop ik hand in hand met jou hier aan mijn zij.
Voor de droomreis van mijn leven,
Heb ik alles opgegeven,
Om vanavond hier alleen met jou te zijn.
Walking hand in hand with you through the beautiful streets of Athens is a dream come true for me, for which I gave up everything else to be alone with you tonight.
Waar eenieder altijd vrolijk naar je lacht.
Beleef ik zoveel avonturen,
Maak ik liefdes overuren,
En dat alles in die ene Griekse nacht.
In these streets where everyone is always smiling at you, I am experiencing so many adventures and making the most of our time together in this one Greek night.
't Is heel bijzonder.
Precies op tijd.
Zo uit het niets word ik verblijd.
It's very special and comes at just the right time; I am filled with joy unexpectedly.
'k Ben overdondert, door romantiek.
Wij twee met rozen en muziek.
I am overwhelmed with romance, as we are together with roses and music.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Loop ik hand in hand met jou hier aan mijn zij.
Voor de droomreis van mijn leven,
Heb ik alles opgegeven,
Om vanavond hier alleen met jou te zijn.
Door de wonderschone straten van Athene,
Waar eenieder altijd vrolijk naar je lacht.
Beleef ik zoveel avonturen,
Maak ik liefdes overuren,
En dat alles in die ene Griekse nacht. (3x)
Walking hand in hand with you through the beautiful streets of Athens is a dream come true for me, for which I gave up everything else to be alone with you tonight. In these streets where everyone is always smiling at you, I am experiencing so many adventures and making the most of our time together in this one Greek night, repeating myself for emphasis.
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Edwin. flier
Mooi liedje