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.
Hemel is hier
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
wat zou het zijn, geen oorlog geen pijn, vrede voor groot en klein
maar als dit alles niet bestaat, is het voor ons nog niet te laat
leef gewoon je leven
want de hemel dat is hier, drink rode wijn, maak veel plezier
wees toch blij met elke dag, dat je op aarde wezen mag
deel met mij je levensvreugde, hou me stevig vast
wat als je gaat, en petrus daar staat, aan 't begin van de hemelse poort
stel je toch voor, je mag er niet door, hij heeft het laaste woord
maar als dit alles niet bestaat, is het voor jou nog niet te laat
leef gewoon je leven
want de hemel dat is hier, drink rode wijn, maak veel plezier
wees toch blij met elke dag, dat je op aarde wezen mag
deel met mij je levensvreugde, hou me stevig vast
dans en haal met volle teugen alles uit de kast, vandaag 2x
hemel is hier
In the song "Hemel is hier" by Jan Smit, the lyrics speak of how people are constantly talking about what happens to us after death, whether it involves war or peace. The singer wonders if it all even matters, since if this life is all we have, it's still worth living to its fullest. The chorus repeats the phrase "hemel is hier", meaning "heaven is here", encouraging people to enjoy their time on Earth as much as possible, drinking wine and having fun. The singer urges listeners to hold onto their joy and embrace life to the fullest, even if there is no afterlife.
The second verse imagines the gates of heaven with Peter holding the final say, potentially keeping people out of paradise. However, the singer again reminds listeners that even if there is no afterlife, it's important to cherish every moment on Earth. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the message that heaven is not something to wait for after death, but something we can create and experience in our current lives.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to embrace life and all the joy it can bring, without worrying too much about what may or may not happen after death. The singer reminds us that heaven can be found right here on Earth, if we are willing to seize the moment and enjoy ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
iedereen praat, in huizen op straat, over hoe 't na de dood met ons gaat
Everyone is talking, in houses and on the streets, about what happens after death.
wat zou het zijn, geen oorlog geen pijn, vrede voor groot en klein
What would it be like, with no war or pain, peace for everyone.
maar als dit alles niet bestaat, is het voor ons nog niet te laat
leef gewoon je leven
But even if all that doesn't exist, it's not too late for us. Just live your life.
want de hemel dat is hier, drink rode wijn, maak veel plezier
wees toch blij met elke dag, dat je op aarde wezen mag
Because heaven is here, drink red wine, have fun, and be happy with every day that you get to be alive on earth.
deel met mij je levensvreugde, hou me stevig vast
dans en haal met volle teugen alles uit de kast, vandaag
Share your joy of life with me, hold me tight, dance and make the most of everything today.
wat als je gaat, en petrus daar staat, aan 't begin van de hemelse poort
stel je toch voor, je mag er niet door, hij heeft het laaste woord
What if you pass away and meet Peter at the beginning of the heavenly gate? Imagine that you can't get in, as he has the final say.
maar als dit alles niet bestaat, is het voor jou nog niet te laat
leef gewoon je leven
But even if all that doesn't exist, it's not too late for you. Just live your life.
want de hemel dat is hier, drink rode wijn, maak veel plezier
wees toch blij met elke dag, dat je op aarde wezen mag
deel met mij je levensvreugde, hou me stevig vast
dans en haal met volle teugen alles uit de kast, vandaag 2x
Because heaven is here, drink red wine, have fun, and be happy with every day that you get to be alive on earth. Share your joy of life with me, hold me tight, dance and make the most of everything today.
hemel is hier
Heaven is here.
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@reginabalschun1711
Ein schönes Lied gefällt mir sehr gut 😚😚😊👍
@andrasnesipos9813
Super Jan.
@keesaandewiel2451
De Hemel bestaat wel degelijk Jan Smit. En als je er niet door mag van Petrus zoals je zelf zingt zou ik in dit leven me best doen er wel te komen ipv mensen ervan weerhouden hier mee bezig te zijn...
@MrLowrevia
In sprookjes geloven we niet