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.
Hou Je Dan Nog Steeds Van Mij
Jan Smit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hou ik m'n zelfde kop met haar?
Zou ik een ander in de spiegel zien?
Beetje grijs wel misschien
Nu nog geen bezwaar
Maar vraag me af, hoe zie je mij na zoveel jaar?
Want als ik oud en wat versleten ben
Hou je dan nog steeds van mij?
Mijn houvast wil blijven zijn
Ik wil met jou nog zoveel mooie dingen doen
En leef voor elke dag en elke zoen
Hoe zou jij zijn over veertig jaar? (hoe zou jij zijn?)
Nog steeds dat lange blonde haar?
Zou jij wat anders in de spiegel zien? (wat zou jij zien?)
Maar stel je voor, hoe zou het zijn na zoveel jaar?
Want als ik oud en wat versleten ben
Hou je dan nog steeds van mij?
Ik hoop dat jij, zolang ik jou nog ken
Mijn houvast wil blijven zijn
Ik wil met jou nog zoveel mooie dingen doen
En leef voor elke dag en elke zoen
Arm of rijk, zolang we er maar komen
Over veertig jaar
Want als ik oud en wat versleten ben
Hou je dan nog steeds van mij?
Ik hoop dat jij, zolang ik jou nog ken
Mijn houvast wil blijven zijn
Ik wil met jou nog zoveel mooie dingen doen
En leef voor elke dag en elke zoen
Van jou
The lyrics of Jan Smit's song "Hou Je Dan Nog Steeds Van Mij" explore the question of whether love can endure the test of time. The singer wonders how they will appear in forty years, if they will still have the same features and if they will recognize themselves in the mirror. The fear of being forgotten or rejected because of aging and decay is tangible in the lyrics. However, the hope for love to prevail and remain a haven in times of change and uncertainty is also present.
The central question posed in the song is whether the person that the singer is addressing will still love them even when they are old and worn out. This question is repeated throughout the song, which highlights the underlying anxiety of the singer. The lyrics touch on the theme of mortality and the fear of losing the connection with a loved one, which is a universal fear that many people face in their lives.
Overall, Jan Smit's "Hou Je Dan Nog Steeds Van Mij" is a poignant representation of the fragility and resilience of love and the hope that it can withstand the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoe zou ik zijn over veertig jaar?
I wonder what I will be like in forty years.
Hou ik m'n zelfde kop met haar?
Will I still have the same hairdo?
Zou ik een ander in de spiegel zien?
Will my reflection look different?
Beetje grijs wel misschien
Maybe a little gray hair.
Nu nog geen bezwaar
Not a problem right now.
Maar vraag me af, hoe zie je mij na zoveel jaar?
But I wonder, how will you see me after all these years?
Want als ik oud en wat versleten ben
Hou je dan nog steeds van mij?
Because when I'm old and worn out, will you still love me?
Ik hoop dat jij, zolang ik jou nog ken
Mijn houvast wil blijven zijn
I hope that as long as I know you, you will remain my anchor.
Ik wil met jou nog zoveel mooie dingen doen
En leef voor elke dag en elke zoen
I want to do so many beautiful things with you and live for every day and every kiss.
Hoe zou jij zijn over veertig jaar? (hoe zou jij zijn?)
Nog steeds dat lange blonde haar?
How will you be in forty years? (how will you be?) Still with that long blonde hair?
Zou jij wat anders in de spiegel zien? (wat zou jij zien?)
Will you see something different in the mirror? (what will you see?)
Maar stel je voor, hoe zou het zijn na zoveel jaar?
But imagine, what will it be like after so many years?
Arm of rijk, zolang we er maar komen
Over veertig jaar
Poor or rich, as long as we get there. In forty years.
Van jou
Yours.
Contributed by Lucy S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Darina Podlucká
Super pesnička, taká do rytmu veselého, zdravím Jan. ❤
Chris S
Dit is echt zo'n lekkere kroegknaller, mijn dag is weer goed :D
mansnor
Geweldig wat een leuke clip. En wat een vrolijk lied. Word je helemaal blij van.
Stefania Bosiacka
bardzo fajna , malodyjka , rytmiczna !!! super piosenki masz Janie Smit !!! POZDRAWIAM
Anouk Pijman
Geweldige clip en super nummer!
Sándor van Straten
Gewoon weer een leuke song!
Markh73bers
Heerlijke muziek om te horen als ik aan het werk ben. Beter dan die andere meuk op de radio!
Elly Rouw
Een verdiende NO1, gefeliciteerd Jan
Kim Krauts
wat een ongelofelijk leuk nummer :D
gw0onkaren
Heerlijk nummer!