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.
Echte Vrienden
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alles wat je doet of wat je zegt dat is oprecht
Haast om van te houden
Aan jou ben ik gehecht
Jij bent echt een vriend waarmee ik praten kan
Alles wat je mij verteld komt rechtstreek uit je hart
Hebben we problemen
Dan delen we de smart
Want ik lach om jou
Ik huil met jou
En daarom da 'k je vertrouw
Want echt vrienden die heb je niet voor even
Die zijn er als het nodig is al gaat het mis
Je voelt je nooit alleen
Ja echte vrienden die heb je voor het leven
Die staan volledig achter jou
Het voelt vertrouwd
Met vrienden om je heen
Jij bent echt een vriend om mee te delen
Alles wat me dwarszit leg ik even aan je voor
Jij kan wonden helen
Mijn luisterende oor
Jij bent echt een vriend waarmee ik drinken kan
Zijn we samen eindigt het geheid met een fles wijn
Jij bent om te gieren
Ze krijgen ons niet klein
Want ik lach om jou
Ik huil met jou
En daarom da 'k je vertrouw
Want echt vrienden die heb je niet voor even
Die zijn er als het nodig is al gaat het mis
Je voelt je nooit alleen
Ja echte vrienden die heb je voor het leven
Die staan volledig achter jou
Het voelt vertrouwd
Met vrienden om je heen
Samen staan we sterker dan alleen
Voor echte vrienden ga je door het vuur
Voor zo iemand
Zet ik alles opzij
Tot het laatste uur
Want echt vrienden die heb je niet voor even
Die zijn er als het nodig is al gaat het mis
Je voelt je nooit alleen
Ja echte vrienden die heb je voor het leven
Die staan volledig achter jou
Het voelt vertrouwd
Met vrienden om je heen
Jan Smit's song Echte Vrienden is a beautiful tribute to true friendship. It describes the qualities that make a friend a true one – someone who is sincere, trustworthy, and supportive. The song starts by referring to the friend as someone who is reliable and genuine. The lyrics convey a sense of warmth and affection. The strong bond between friends is highlighted, one that is built on mutual trust, empathy, and a shared sense of humor. This bond is so strong that it can endure through difficult times and hardships.
The second verse expresses the emotional support and willingness to listen that defines a true friend. It acknowledges that it’s not just about having a good time together, but also being there for each other in difficult times. The chorus of the song emphasizes that true friendships are not just for a short period, but for a lifetime. The lyrics convey an uplifting message about the importance of friendship and the comforting feeling of having friends by your side.
In conclusion, Echte Vrienden is a beautiful ode to friendship that captures the true essence of what makes a friend. Its message is both poignant and uplifting, making it a perfect song to listen to with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Jij bent echt een vriend om op te bouwen
You are a true friend I can rely on for support and growth.
Alles wat je doet of wat je zegt dat is oprecht
Everything you do or say comes from a place of sincerity.
Haast om van te houden
Your qualities and actions are admirable and endearing.
Aan jou ben ik gehecht
I am deeply attached to you as a friend.
Jij bent echt een vriend waarmee ik praten kan
You are a true friend I can confide in and open up to.
Alles wat je mij verteld komt rechtstreek uit je hart
Your words are genuine and come from your heart.
Hebben we problemen
When we face challenges,
Dan delen we de smart
We share and support each other through the pain.
Want ik lach om jou
I laugh with you,
Ik huil met jou
I cry with you,
En daarom da 'k je vertrouw
And that's why I trust you.
Want echt vrienden die heb je niet voor even
True friends are not temporary,
Die zijn er als het nodig is al gaat het mis
They are there for you through tough times and adversity.
Je voelt je nooit alleen
You never feel alone with true friends by your side.
Ja echte vrienden die heb je voor het leven
Yes, true friends are for life.
Die staan volledig achter jou
They fully support you and your decisions.
Het voelt vertrouwd
It feels safe and secure.
Met vrienden om je heen
With friends around you.
Jij bent echt een vriend om mee te delen
You are a true friend to share my thoughts and feelings with.
Alles wat me dwarszit leg ik even aan je voor
I can share my worries and problems with you without hesitation.
Jij kan wonden helen
You have the ability to heal emotional wounds.
Mijn luisterende oor
You lend me your attentive ear.
Jij bent echt een vriend waarmee ik drinken kan
You are a true friend I can have a drink and have fun with.
Zijn we samen eindigt het geheid met een fles wijn
When we are together, it's inevitable that we will share a bottle of wine.
Jij bent om te gieren
You are funny and make me laugh.
Ze krijgen ons niet klein
Our friendship will never fall apart no matter what happens.
Samen staan we sterker dan alleen
Together, we are stronger than when we are alone.
Voor echte vrienden ga je door het vuur
For true friends, you will go to great lengths to protect and support them.
Voor zo iemand
For someone like you,
Zet ik alles opzij
I would set aside anything for you.
Tot het laatste uur
Until the end of time.
Contributed by Declan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.